I went in for an oil change this morning and had to make an appointment for later in the afternoon. So I went over to Target to get a baby shower gift for this weekend, got slightly distracted by the sales in the ladies department (and only spent $36!) and walked out with some baby shower gifts and a new dressy-tank with sweater - separate items - and a pair of black leggings. But I spent most of the morning doing this. I sped home for lunch (which was way quick) and home brewed coffee before heading out again, back to the garage for that oil change. It was supposed to be about an hour. Two and a half hours later, I am paying for the oil change...and a new engine filter...and a new belt. They wanted to replace the rear struts as well (both of them because you can't just replace one - and the passenger side is already shot apparently) but we said no for now, because that would have cost (with labor) an extra $770, putting the bill up to $970...not something we have right now....ESPECIALLY since less than a week ago we shelled out another $330 for two brand new tires on the rear (I got a flat...and not just any flat - a razor-ed one)!
So I am driving home thinking about something my dear friend Kelly said to me yesterday while chatting: Why don't you think about praying [for your husband]? And she recommended the book Power of a Praying Wife (let's just add that to my ever-growing list of books to read!). I have a lousy prayer life. Just putting it out there. I hardly pray about anything. Yes, I talk to God occasionally (not as much as one might think) but I wouldn't label it as prayer necessarily. I have been thinking that this will be the fall I finish my degree from Southern and yesterday I was all excited after I talked to a counselor at UAA versus APU (and UAA is not only cheaper but on the list of schools that Spouse Tuition Assistance Program (STAP) will help pay for!)...and as I was driving home I realized something. I haven't prayed about school this fall. I don't know where the money would come from for that to happen, and even if I did [know], school starts in about two weeks and I will be hard pressed to come up with money for that...especially since we have to possibly shell out an additional $700 to fix the car....
Ever wonder why all the big stuff happens right in a row? It's like a woman named Kendra from Hospitality House who broke shattered her ankle on a ropes course and she says that God totally broke her ankle so that she can really learn how to be humble (an area she has trouble with) and truly rely on God. So I sort of feel as though God is telling me that I need to pray about BEFORE they happen so that when they do I don't feel so stressed out and freaked out and whaaaa!
I can't promise my prayer life will pick up real quick after this one. Or that I will keep it up after a while. But it's a start now, isn't it?
Thanks for this reminder... my prayer life is lame, too ;o)
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