You can’t avoid change
A wise old man from Florida visited our congregation and spent the weekend giving us his “best stuff”, as he termed it.
He spoke of, with strong visual examples, scoops of blessings pouring down from heaven, how to measure (really, how not to measure) a second mile, and loving one another. Though I would never have guessed it at the time, it was a little hymn he went to great pains to teach us that was most memorable.
The build up to presenting this song was elaborate and extended, though he assured us the song itself was simple and powerful. By the time we arrived at the part of the sermon where we would actually hear the song for the first time, we were more than ready. After he sang it for us, the congregation burst out laughing. It was indeed, simple: two notes only. It was indeed powerful: two words can encompass a lot of truth. We practiced “Things Change” joyfully, working out some delightful harmonies. We’ve had many occasions to revive it as a favourite. Last week I sang it solo.
For several years, we managed without a vehicle. Friends and relations were appalled but it really is doable and a lot less expensive than trying to keep some old wreck on the road. When we really needed a car, we rented one. These rentals were very satisfactory experiences. For the price of a monthly car payment we bought the use of a clean car with air conditioning. Months when we didn’t need a car, we didn’t have to make a payment, either.
These days, we drive a long, old car. It’s comfortable and, so far, the maintenance has not been a burden. It is larger than we need (even after three years practice, the way I back it into the driveway is not a thing of beauty) but there are no monthly payments. Last week, I had to drive into the city on a business day. The thoughts of navigating city streets with all the construction that is going on by the waterfront, and backing into parking spaces, were giving me an anxiety attack. I breathed in with the good air and out with the bad until the idea of renting a compact popped into my head.
On the day, I spent a long time with the agent, reading and completing the necessary forms. There is a new clause about replacing the GPS if necessary that was a little off-putting. I suggested we take the GPS out right then and there.
When we went out to check the car, I started hyperventilating again. Apparently all the compacts were previously spoken for. This thing was longer by at least two feet than the family chariot. Even worse, once I managed to clamber into the driver’s seat, the dashboard wrapped around the driver like the control panel of a spaceship. The windows were so high and squat, special sensing features were added to help you avoid hitting objects.
Things change indeed!
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