THE BMW EXPERIENCE

Back in November I bought my dream car.  Melinda and I were in Florida and we determined we didn’t need two sedans once we moved there.  We’d keep her Honda CRV and I would sell my Chevy Impala and buy my longed for sports car.  Right before my eyes was the car I was looking for, right year, right mileage, right price.  A gorgeous 2000 black BMW Z3 convertible with only 32,800 miles on it.  Only problem was it was in probate due to the death of the owner.  A few weeks ago it was released, and driven to Melinda’s garage where it waited for my loving care.  This past week I went to Florida for some R & R, planning to get the title transferred, get plates for the car and cruise the beach with the top down just enjoying the sunshine.  With title in hand, along with the bill of sale I was all set to tackle the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.  The first person we talked to informed me that I was short a piece of paper, the certificate from probate showing that the person I bought it from had legal authority to sell it.  The seller had sent the original certificate to the Florida BMV at a Tampa branch.  He was now in Connecticut.  We both figured that the Palm Beach branch could access this from some central computer file.  We had all the storage information.  No such luck.  I had to procure a copy of the certificate and bring it in.

After a couple days effort, I was able to get a copy, but upon return to the BMV was told I needed the original.  I made four trips in all to the BMV but each time was turned away empty handed.  My week ended with no title, no plates and the little beauty still sitting in the garage, never seeing the light of day.

My time at the BMV was interesting.  As I sat with the various clerks, I couldn’t help but listen to other customers talking with the clerks next to me.  I realized that most people come to the BMV uptight ready for a fight if things don’t go their way.  The man next to me was a paper short.  His response was one of frustration, anger and demands.  I realized that the BMV agents probably get blasted a lot.  What a great place to give testimony by our words and actions of how our walk with God allows us to show grace and pleasantness even in the midst of frustration.  Had a bad BMV experience?  What a great place to show the grace of God.   “Let your speech always be with grace.”  Colossians 4:6

SAYINGS

Throughout a life time of listening we will hear little sayings or adages we just never forget.  My Mom had a few pet sayings that I still recall and quote to this day.   Things like:

“A place for everything and everything in its place.”  (It sure saves a lot of time when you are looking for something.)  

“A quick ‘thank you’ is a double ‘thank you’”.   

Benjamin Franklin had a bunch of them.  

“A penny saved is a penny earned”.

“Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.”

“We must all hang together, or assuredly we will all hang separately.”   Great advice during the Revolutionary War.

Leadership has its adages.  

“Plan your work then work your plan.”

“When all is said and done, more is said than done.”

Are there any sayings about God that stick in your mind?  How about these?

“Don’t tell God how BIG the storm is.  Tell the storm how BIG your God is!”

“The family that prays together, stays together.

“God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.”

Do you have any favorites?  I know there are plenty out there.