The Blanket

When I pulled into the alley to go into the parking garage at work, I glanced to my left because I saw a white blanket. Usually I see a few women in a huddle smoking but they were not out on this cold morning. Then I noticed a long lump under the blanket and realized it was someone sleeping in the small door way. My heart sank.

As I slowly drove into the parking garage, I questioned why my heart sank so fast and hard. I have seen numerous homeless people before- especially when I lived on the East Coast but today I felt different. My mind started racing about anything that I had in my car to go back and give the person. I only had a little change and no additional blanket in my trunk. I thought about my lunch for work but they would need a microwave to cook it. I thought I could take them a cup of coffee but they may get mad for me waking them up, plus several homeless people come in the lobby of my job and get free coffee. I realized there was nothing I could do.

So when I pulled into the parking slot on the 3rd level, I thanked God that it was not me laying in that doorway for whatever reason: drug or alcohol addiction, poor money management, loss of job, mental illness, a hardened heart toward God, or whatever. I thanked God that none of my family and friends are homeless and that they have excess and abundance. I thanked God that at least the person lying there had a blanket. It is about 35 degrees outside this morning. It is chilly in my office but I have a heater from a co-worker. I pray that God delivers that person from their current situation and that whoever was under that blanket seek God in their current situation.

Today I won't complain. I thanked God for answered prayers.

Car-dependent

I did not realize I was car-dependent until today. I took my car in and they said it would take 1 to 11/2 hrs and that was at 7am this morning. At 9:15am I was given a ride home and told it may be a while to check all the points effecting the emissions which caused my check engine light to come on and off. At 11:45am, I called to check on the progress and was asked if I needed the car today. Well, yes since I am single and have one vehicle!

I was suppose to be at work today so no more thinking quick service and on my way to work. At 12:15pm, they called and stated something wrong with the throttle and getting the part from the dealer and estimate over $400. I asked how soon does this service need to be done and instead of saying right away the response was: This part is preventing your car from shifting into fourth gear properly which will effect your transmission. So my response was, "Immediately?" I do not know a lot about cars but damage to a transmission can be expensive so why risk it.

Needless to say, I am stuck at home today with no transp. However, I am praising God that I have the means to pay for my auto repairs today and expect the bill to be lower than the estimate. No my Honda is no longer under warranty since it will be PIF before this time next year. I agree with BrownEnglishMuffin that cars are made to need parts after the warranty expires.

Anyway, it has been a productive day. My Christmas tree is up and decorated, laundry put away, Bible study notes sent out and updated my blog. What next? Call the service center to get a progress report on my car and finish watching Judge Mathis.