OUT TO PASTOR: I didn’t know I loved it that much

One important thing I have learned is that you don’t appreciate something until it’s missing.

I’ve learned that by many things that I just took for granted.

Last week, for example, I had some problems with my truck, so I had to take it in for service.

I had a doctor’s appointment across town that day, and I wasn’t expecting my truck to be unavailable. I knew I would have to make different arrangements.

I had two choices.

First, I could cancel my doctor’s appointment, but you know how that can be trying to reschedule the next appointment.

Second, I could ask The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage if I could drive her sissy van across town to my doctor’s appointment.

I cannot tell you how hard I wrestled with that. I did not want to cancel my appointment, and I did not want to drive that sissy van. 

Sometimes, life offers you situations just like this – no matter your choice, it will not be the right one.

Finally, I put my pride in my back pocket and asked The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage if I could use her sissy van to go to my doctor’s appointment.

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her smile like that. She said, “Of course, my dear. You can take my car and go to your doctor’s appointment.” 

Then she giggled. I hate it when she giggles.

Standing at the door with the keys in her hands, as I was going out, she handed them to me and said, “Drive safely.” 

Then, another one of her giggles.

I took the keys, looked at her with an artificial smile and said, “Thank you my dear. I promise I’ll drive safely.”

The first chore I had with the sissy van was getting inside – there was no way I was going to get inside that sissy van the way it was set. I had to push the seat back as far as it would go. Then I got in the seat behind the steering wheel, squishing my body as I got in.

No matter how far back I pushed the seat, my knees were still under my chin.

Next was the steering wheel. It took me 10 minutes to figure out how to adjust it, and I still couldn’t get it to where it was comfortable for me to steer.

The next thing was the mirrors; the mirror inside the sissy van and the two mirrors outside on each side of the vehicle. It took me a while to figure out how to do that because it’s been a long time since I adjusted any mirrors in my vehicle.

I did have somewhat of a scare with the indoor mirror. As I adjusted it, a very scary face popped into view. I almost screamed – but then realized it was my face.

Finally, I got everything pretty close to normal and was ready to leave. I put the key in, turned it, and the sissy van started up right away. I sighed a deep sigh of relief.

I slowly put it in reverse and backed out of the driveway. Standing in the doorway of our house as I was leaving was The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, laughing and waving at me as if she was crazy.

Finally, I was on my way to my doctor’s appointment. As I was driving, I was so nervous I was wondering if maybe I should make an appointment to see a psychiatrist. I was crazy at this moment.

When I arrived at the doctor’s office, I pulled in and parked the sissy van. I thought everything was in order, but then I tried to get out of the sissy van.

The door opened relatively quickly, but that’s as far as it went. I twisted and turned, but I could not get out of my seat. My legs were jammed under the steering wheel, and I couldn’t twist.

If only Chubby Checker could be here to help me twist.

It took me rather a few minutes, and I eventually was able to extract my body from the sissy van slowly. I got out, stood up, and looked back to ensure all of me was extracted.

Driving back after my doctor’s appointment, I happened to think of how much I loved my truck. Everything about it fits me perfectly, and driving it is my greatest pleasure.

I didn’t know how much I loved my truck, and I was forced to drive The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage’s sissy van. When I return, I will spend a little time telling my truck how much I appreciate it.

I often think about what the Apostle Paul said, “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth” (2 Thessalonians 1:33).

I am committed to thanking God for everyone in my life while I can still do it.

Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, FL with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. Telephone is (352) 216-3025, e-mail is jamessnyder51@gmail.com, and website is www.jamessnyderministries.com