Red

Twenty-five years ago, we left the small town of Marion, Alabama to move to Haiti.  We had about 2000 pounds of stuff we were bringing, so we had planned on renting a small U-haul to bring it to Florida to load on a plane.

The U-haul dealer in our town, who was a member of our church (Siloam Baptist Church), did not have any small trucks so he rented us a 24 footer for the price of a small truck.  We had to stop at a vehicle inspection in Florida and the guy there had an incredulous look on his face when he saw this big truck with a load that did not even cover the floor of the truck.

The truck was an old fashioned one with stick shift and manual steering.  To steer such a thing, there was this huge steering wheel that sat almost horizontal.

When we arrived in West Palm Beach, we gave up the truck and rented a car.  We rented a “small” car and were surprised with a bright red Camaro.  Ingrid likes red cars—we had just sold our red Dodge Aries in order to move—and so she was happy with the choice.

I almost crashed the car on the way out of the parking lot.  Having just driven a great distance in the huge truck, I now found myself with a tiny steering wheel that sat almost vertical.  And the steering was very sensitive!

It was fun to tool around West Palm Beach a couple of days in that car.

Now to the present…

For the occasion of driving to Los Angeles Airport to catch our plane, we rented a car.  Because we were bringing a bunch of stuff (though less than 300 pounds this time) I rented a full-size car.  When we walked out to the lot, there was only one full-size car—and it was bright red Chevy Impala!

Maybe the red is significant, maybe it isn’t.  But it seemed almost more than a coincidence.  The red Camaro marked the beginning of an incredible time we spent in Haiti where we saw God at work and where He showed Himself faithful to us again and again.  This red Impala seemed to be God’s way of telling us that He is the same God and He is still faithful and He is still watching over us as we go to Thailand.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)