I was hesitant to document this because I don't want to ever get credit for this or have this come across as boasting of ourselves but I finally decided to write this down so our kids and grand kids might one day know through an experience we had just how important it is to follow a prompting even when you might not understand why.
I started way back in the fall last year. Trev came home one Sunday after church meetings and said he had a prompting to give our car to someone. I told him how convenient cause I know he wanted a new car. I feel bad that I wasn't more supportive at first. He let it go but would say it here and there over the next few months.
Finally he said...I really feel like this is something we should do. I was like OK. If you feel like you should lets do it. We weren't sure how it would be received and we didn't want to offend them in anyway but we went on faith and got it all ready for us to drop it off. They lived in our same subdivision so we drove it over there but parked it a little ways up. We went to the door and knocked. When they answered we handed them a gift bag with this letter inside with the key. We told them not to open it for 5 minutes and then we left and walked home.
Here was the letter we gave them.....
Dear ****** and *******,
I have to first apologize to you because I have been sitting on this prompting for the last 2 months and just didn’t know what to do. *****, just after you were called into the bishopric I had the distinct impression that I should do something for you. It made absolutely no sense to me; though I was not at all against the idea and actually was excited about it. However, at the time I was not sure if I was just feeling bad for you and wanted to help or if what I was feeling was a true prompting from the Lord. I can tell you with 100% certainty that what I felt was a direct revelation/prompting from the Lord. I can tell you this, because once I made the decision to act, everything fell right into place.
Now, that all likely makes no sense to you so let’s do this, open the second envelope and the little box and then read the second page of this letter.
(Seriously, open the envelope and the box stop trying to peak at what is next!)
Well, now you know that we have given you my 2007 Toyota Camry. It is paid off and just had the radiator replaced as well as the windshield. The only thing that I have not replaced (well, not the only thing) is the transmission, which has been good to me and has been serviced when needed. Hopefully this car gives you years of comfort and safety. You can also sell it and blow all the money on cotton candy! I’m good either way. Now let me explain.
The prompting I received was that I needed to give you my car. You can guess my surprise at this prompting because that’s not exactly an everyday thing to do. I want you to know that I made sure this was a true prompting from the Lord and not just me trying to be a hero and save you from the mustard demon of death (my nickname for your current car J). I prayed and prayed for the Lord to confirm to me that this was a prompting from him and not merely my desire to fix a need where I saw one. After having prayed and received no confirmation, Tara and I just put it on the back burner for a while; though I would think about it at least once a week if not more. Interestingly, this past Sunday I was again thinking about the prompting and how I could even make giving up my car work. As I pondered on the entire situation, words from my patriarchal blessing came clearly into my mind as if I heard them being read to me: “use the abundance with which you will be blessed with to lift others and to build the kingdom outside of your family and you will be greatly blessed.” I decided right then that what I had felt was a prompting and that if my sweet wife was on board, we would commit to following that prompting and trust that the Lord would provide a solution and not leave me carless; however, if that was what needed to happen then so be it.
I want you to know that the moment Tara and I committed to following that prompting the Lord DID provide a solution. I looked at cars online Sunday night, found a car I liked that seemed to be in my price range, test drove the car this morning (Monday), gave the dealership a price that I was willing to pay, and came within $1000 of my asking price. Unfortunately, the dealer would not come down the extra $1000! The dealer offered to meet me half way and I told him I had to go meet a client (it was 10am Monday morning) and that I would call him later. Well, I called an hour or so later and he said he would not make the deal. I was devastated. Not because I lost the car, but because I was just not sure how the Lord was going to make things happen. The funny thing was that Tara and I both felt like we should get the car, but at the meet-in-the-middle price and not pay the extra money the dealer was asking for earlier in the day. Well, at 9pm tonight Tara and I were discussing it and we both felt like I should call the dealer and talk to one of the “higher” managers, so that’s what I did. Bryan, over the phone he agreed to my price and within 2 hours of that call I was back at home with the car I wanted, having paid less than I wanted and having received an amazing deal. Most importantly, I returned home humbled by the power and willingness of the Lord to help provide a way for His will to be accomplished (reminded me of 1 Nephi 3:7).
I tell you this all not to toot my own horn, but to emphasize the fact that once we decided to move forward with the prompting and come what may, the Lord took over and provided a solution. I do not believe what Tara and I are doing is the Lord’s will… I know with all my heart and sole that it is the Lord’s will. I cannot deny it so I wont even try.
Please do not try to say you can’t take the car because, well, I already signed the title over to you and bought another car so…. you have to take it! J Please, please, please, do not feel that you need to do anything in return. The Lord has blessed my life greatly and Tara and I have covenanted with Him to give all we have to the building up of His Kingdom; this was just an opportunity for us to show Him our obedience to that promise. However, I will ask only one thing of you. Please do not let anyone know that we did this. The point of our doing this was to follow a prompting and obey the will of the Lord, not try to bring attention to ourselves. Glory and thanks go 100% to the Lord and not Tara and I. Please simply tell people (if they ask) that you got a great deal on it from a friend. And if they ask more than that, tell them it’s none of their dang business and you’ll thank them for staying out of your personal affairs J.
That car has brought my family many years of safety, comfort, and reliable transportation, and I hope it does the same for you and your family. Hold your heads high because you have a Father in Heaven that loves you, knows the struggles you go through, and will always provide for you. All glory and thanks be to Him who provides so abundantly for us all.
With all the love we possess,
Here was their response
