He worked on an old car when we were in high school, but it wasn't until our boys were teenagers that he had the time and resources to really pursue his passion. Together they have made something beautiful out of rusted old cars and trucks.

This is an old 1929 Ford Sedan that he and our younger son found through an ad in the paper. It was living in a field - masquerading as a chicken coop. When they looked at it they didn't see a rusty useless piece of junk; they saw the possibilities. And so they brought it home.

They painstakingly sandblasted every bit of the rust and then began to primer and paint each piece.


Then they carefully began to put the pieces back together.



He is not content to do a quick fix - spiffing up the outside so I look good. Instead He works with infinite patience and care on every detail of my life - beginning on the inside where all the scars and stains, if left untreated, would eventually make their way outward to mar the work. He is far more interested in doing a complete work than hurrying to make me look better.
I am thankful that He loves me, loves each of us, in such a complete way. He has a dream for us and is willing to do the work involved in making it come true. It is a long process, but the end result is transformation beyond anything we can imagine.
"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 1:6
I am also thankful for:
- the prayers of friends
- His care of my Dad (another story for another day)
- beautiful, blue sky so brilliant it almost hurts your eyes
- phone calls from Paris
- hot chocolate with whipped cream
- a granddaughter who loves to play the violin
- red holly berries set against a brilliant blue sky
- walks with friends
- a husband who does the dishes for me
- cinnamon scented candles
linking to Ann's Gratitude Community.
Blessings,
Linda
I am really impressed with their work! Wonderful. And the analogy as well - I love it.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I don't know anything about cars, but wow! How impressive! And I really appreciated the analogy, as God is working on me. :)
ReplyDeleteI feel like in a car show.
ReplyDeletelove these.
you have such good analogies ... thank you for the wisdom you bring us
ReplyDeletethey sure did a bang up job!
ReplyDeleteA great analogy, Linda, and very encouraging! I'm so thankful for our Lord's patience--that He never gives up on us, no matter how "junky" we look!
ReplyDeleteDear Linda,
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible post...and an unbelievable coincidence...for the same exact project is taking place in my garage as we speak. My youngest son, soon to be 16, and my husband are building a hot rod from scratch...starting with a 42 dodge truck cab they found in an elderly man's back wood lot. One of these days I'll post on it...but I know how you feel...an amazing transformation...an amazing analogy to how the Lord works in our lives...and an amazing project to bond father and son together. Thanks so much for sharing!
Blessings,
Laura
A wonderful analogy, Linda, and what an incredible job your husband and son did on the old car. It must've been a great experience for both of them to work together on such a complicated project, and I can imagine the pride in accomplishment seeing the finished product. It's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThat takes patience and skill. Amazing transformation!
ReplyDeleteThis line struck me, "In order to transform it into the hot rod of their dreams, they first had to tear it all apart." Oh how I have felt torn apart when the Lord was working on me. So grateful God doesn't leave us stripped down but fit us back together for His glory.
Beautiful analogy! Thank you.
Standing ovation, Linda!
ReplyDeleteYour words, so beautiful!
Steve and sons, so talented...
all of you...
I pray God does that kind of transformation in my life...
He has in yours.
I send so much love, Linda