“and lately I’ve learned some of the most important lessons of life on a worn-out bucket seat and bumpy old dirt roads”
In 2019 I purchased a 2004, 4 banger, Chevy Colorado pick-up truck. $2500 out the door. I felt she had good bones and I liked the salesman, so I took her home. I don’t recall the odometer at purchase, but as of today she has rolled over 265,000 miles in her twenty-plus years. I didn’t know much about pick-ups but knew I’d be needing one to haul odds and ends in my side hustle business. Little did I know how this simple ol’ farm truck would shape my life.
Not to besmirch most of my friends and their shiny newer vehicles! Yes, they all have A/C in the summer and heat in the winter. I have open windows in summer and hand warmers with a cup of coffee in the winter. Yes, they have electric everything. I have something even better. I get an arm workout as a bonus when I crank my windows open. So there. They have all kinds of safety alerts and displays. I just trust that everything is in working order by the healthy hum of the motor.
Yes, I could go out and purchase a newer truck, but for one reason or another I’ve just been content with my ol’ girl. Over the last few years and few thousand miles, cruising on gulf-side jaunts or hauling loads through rural Florida at sunrise, she’s been my quiet space, my prayer room, my sanctuary. Can’t count how many times I’ve thanked God for her, rolling across the state with ease, or handling the bumpy side roads like a tank.
Crossing the terrain these last few years of my journey, she’s been holding my secrets. She knows the regrettable times I’ve lashed out profanely at the driving habits of others, or when I’ve literally cried out to God with my regrets, sorrows and deep longings. She’s been there with me, over the miles, when I’ve shouted out breezy praises to heaven for countless blessings and miraculous redemption within my life and the lives of people I’ve loved. She knows all about my family and closest comrads, as she’s heard every name spoken in my prayers. The old worn cloth upholstery has soaked up my worship and my wailing.
Lately, I learned a peculiar lesson, and I’ll hesitantly share it with you. I’ve often thought and expressed to friends that I really need a slick new vehicle to attract that special someone that God has for me. Just when I thought this would be a great idea, the Lord put a thought into my thick skull. Just maybe the kind of girl that God has for me actually would love a simple ol’ farm truck. That’s right, He knows the one for me will love the simple things in life, the rough and worn, the tried and true.
So when all is said and done after another day, and I’ve placed the keys on the shelf, I’ll remember that the Spirit of Christ, my forever savior, best friend, trusted teacher, and riding companion has been opening my heart with a simple ol’ farm truck to teach me some of the hardest and most meaningful lessons of this good life.
What does this tell us about our faith? What is the best kind of faith? It tells me that simple faith is the very best. To me, it’s defined first and foremost by childlike obedience and trust in our Daddy, because we’ve learned the hard way that our destructive, disobedient choices complicate life every time. Simple faith means living every morning, noon and night with immense gratitude for every tiny blessing and spontaneous joy. Simplicity of our faith in Jesus is discovered in warm hugs, whispering encouragement in the ears of our children, and helping those who are suffering. Most importantly, simple faith happens when we allow the Spirit of Christ to make His home in us, that we may bear His fruit. How simple this can be as we walk closely with Him!
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” – Galatians 5:22-23
What about you? What is the simple stuff in your life that our good Father has been using to teach you important things, to open your eyes and your heart? Let the memories unwind for a few minutes. Think back to those times of inspiration born out of simplicity. Ponder those priceless moments when He used the nuts and bolts of your life to piece together something divine.
Maybe the next time you’re sitting on a worn-out bucket seat, rumbling down a dirt road, or whatever simple experience you’re enjoying in the days to come, just try to relish that simplicity. Find a place to get alone, let the breeze flow through your hair, breathe in the sweet air, just take it all in. Let the Father teach you something in those moments.
I’m reminded of more wise words from the Apostle Paul, to just put a bow around this gift of simple faith:
“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you… Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” – Philippians chapter 4
