Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
~ Isaiah 43:18-19
Tears unexpectedly sprung to my eyes as I watched the old, gold Bronco being pulled out of our driveway. Jacob, our 17 year-old son, had just sold his pride and joy so he could buy a more practical vehicle. It was a wise decision, but I know it wrenched his heart as his eyes followed it being hauled behind the truck of its new owner, on its way to Florida.
We’d purchased the 1973 Ford Bronco when Jacob was 15. It wasn’t in great shape, but it ran and that’s what was important at the time. He spent as much time as possible working on that truck, envisioning its potential. My husband, John, worked with him many a Saturday to bring “Bronkie”, as Jacob called it, back to its former glory. And, after three years of pouring his heart and soul (and cash!) into this vehicle, he’d nearly done it.
In case I’ve never mentioned it before, Jacob is a 100% bon-a-fide redneck, rivaling any of the Duck Dynasty guys, and Bronkie helped to cement his image. You couldn’t miss seeing him when he drove around town, sun glinting off of that unusual color of gold. His truck was unique.
But when school rolled around this year, Jacob’s love affair with Bronkie began to fade. Since he’d elected to go to the career center this year, he had an additional seven or eight miles to drive each day, which included a trip down the interstate complete with morning traffic.
Now, I don’t know if you’ve ever had the privilege of riding in an old Bronco, but suffice it to say it’s not a luxury ride. The few times he coaxed me into riding with him I found that I could bounce higher than I thought possible, hoping against hope that a case of whiplash wasn’t in my future. And when I mercifully unfolded myself from the backseat, I felt like I was taking my life in my hands when I jumped from the cab.
So, the morning commute wasn’t what it used to be for Jacob and he knew it was time for him and Bronkie to part ways. As much as he loved that old truck, the rough ride, low (7 miles to the gallon!) gas mileage and leaky roof confirmed his decision.
Now Jacob’s driving a used, white Ford F-150 truck with a cab and a half and extremely better gas mileage. I can get in and out much easier and the ride is considerably smoother, which is certainly appreciated by this mother. It may be more difficult to spot him in a crowd, but he’s more comfortable and doesn’t get wet when it rains. Having Bronkie helped Jacob learn a lot about how to rebuild vehicles, and he’s putting that knowledge to good use as he’s pursuing an education in automotive technology. But now it’s time to move on.
I must say, I’m proud of the wisdom Jacob showed when he gave up his beloved Bronco and replaced it with a dependable vehicle. It reveals his maturity, understanding we can’t always keep what we want in order to obtain what we need. Sometimes hard decisions must be made.
So many times in life, change seems too difficult to confront. It’s much easier to sit in our comfort zone surrounded by the things, or people, we’re most familiar with. It’s scary to let go. But, if we’re willing to change and grow, we’ll eventually discover God’s best for us. We may think having a Bronco to drive around for fun is our perfect vehicle. However, God knows we’re going to need an F-150 to get us to the destination of His calling.
Is God calling you to let go of a “good” thing that’s of great importance to you? Ask Him for the courage to make the right decision so you can discover what “best” thing He wants to replace it with. I’m sure it will ultimately allow for a smoother ride.
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