God Provides for Me

My alternator in my van went out today. I knew it was my alternator because I had an alternator go out on me in college, so I was familiar with the signs. I noticed the first sign the second my kids got out of the van and walked safely into school. I couldn't get full power when I pushed my accelerator to leave the carline. So I began praying..."Lord, please help me to make it home." I continued driving and drove fine for a while, but I could tell that my power was getting worse. I REALLY didn't want to break down on the interstate, so I decided to get off the next exit. Thankfully, I made it off the exit and landed in a parking lot where my van officially died. No power. 

And I just sat there in my dead van for about 5-10 minutes as rain started sprinkling down...thinking about who I should call and what I should do. 

I'm going to be really honest here. These are the moments that I can really start feeling sorry for myself. My brain thinks, 'I don't have a husband to call.' 'I have no family who lives nearby.' 'I'm in this big bad world ALL BY MYSELF.'  

Then it dawned on me that I was actually pretty close to one of my best friend's parents' house. So I called my friend. She just so happened to not be working yet today because her son had something going on at his school. She said, "I'm close to you right now! Let me come and get you!" She then called her dad because their alternator had just gone out and he had replaced it yesterday! He told us to try to jump the car and get it back to his house, and he would try to look at it this weekend! 

We got the van started, but it had such little power. I would guess I was only moving 1-2 mph with the accelerator pushed all the way down! My friend so wonderfully followed me to her parents' house with her flashers on. She kept me so calm on the very slow, stressful drive there. "Angela, we are not paying a towing bill! These people can wait!" She was such a calming presence over the phone to me! 

I kid you not, my van officially died again the second we made it into the driveway! She called her dad again who reiterated that he would look at it this afternoon after he got off work. Her mom GAVE me the keys to her car to use until my van was fixed! I tangibly felt the kindness of the Lord to me. I don't have a husband. I don't have family who live nearby. But I do have friends who are like family, who are so gracious and kind to me. And I can NEVER deny how God takes care of me. Over and over again. 

My van was fixed by this evening, and it's sitting in my driveway right now as healthy as can be! :)

My kids didn't have to be a part of the stress of all of that and got to enjoy a full day at school.

I didn't break down in the middle of the road.

I was safe.

I didn't have to have my van towed and pay all that extra money.

I didn't have to figure out where to take my van and who I can trust.

I didn't have to deal with the stress of figuring out where and how to get the part. 

I didn't have to pay for labor.... which is mind-blowing.

And I was given a car to use for the day!

I had the presence of my dear friend with me during the stress.

And maybe most importantly, I was able to tell this whole story to my children after school as they leaned in closely to hear how God took care of their mother. 

Wow, how He loves me.