One Sunday I shared a story with my congregation about my mom’s first car. It had to do with the lesson on expectations. Sometimes we find ourselves expecting the wrong things or putting our expectations towards the things that will ultimately disappoint us. I wanted to tell the sermon story again, but this time with my MOM’s corrections to the tale. I hope you enjoy it.
It was Christmas Eve, in 1978; The Statler Brothers had released their first Christmas album. The most popular game that year was Hungry Hippos and every kid was asking for Star Wars action figures. But for 16-year-old Kathryn Wade, there was only one gift on her mind, a new car.
Well, it wouldn’t be new, she was confident her father would never buy her a new car. But a used car that was new to her would be the next best thing! And why not, her father Mike Wade was the owner of the auto parts store in town (Dependable Motors) and ran the Chrysler, GMC, and Plymouth Dealership in town (Bay-Tex Garage). Shouldn’t the daughter of such a prominent automobile dealer have something worthy of her sixteen years of life experience?
Kathy even knew which car would be perfect for her to begin the adventure of car ownership. She had her eye on this prized vehicle for many months. It had been sitting out in front of the dealership just waiting for her father to come and pick it up and bring it home. The car in question was a 1974 Chevy Camaro.
She was certain that the Camaro would be hers by Christmas morning. That day she had been riding in the car with her parents when they drove by the dealership, and she looked and saw that the Camaro was gone! Her father must have moved the car close to home for the Christmas surprise!
That night her sleep was interrupted with glee and excitement, her mind filled with the visions of her cruising down Mainstreet in her Camaro, the envy of all those who were tethered to their bland automobiles. Her friends would want rides, and the boys would turn heads, it was all a sixteen-year-old girl in 1978 could ask for, and then finally the morning came!
She gathered around the tree with her younger brother Kent, who knew of her deep Camaro desire. They delved into the Christmas presents, Kathy desperately looking for the telltale key to the prized car. It didn’t materialize. She felt dejected and dismayed at this Christmas disappointment.
Her father looked at her with compassion and sighed, “Well, I better go get your other Christmas gift.” He then suited up to go outside and made his way out the door and down the street. Kathy and Kent ran outside into the front yard awaiting the arrival of Kathy’s Christmas gift. She was startled by the roar of the engine and heard the car’s thundering motor making its way home.
The Christmas Car pulled into the driveway with a motorous thunder, her dad grinning from ear to ear. Kathy stared mouth agape, and the arrival of her long-awaited vehicle of freedom. The car was a glorious……. 1974 Chrysler Newport, decked out in dark green!
It couldn’t have been anything further from her 1974 brown Camaro. It was a monstrous leviathan of a car, surely she would be the most noticeable girl in school. Especially considering she would be driving the equivalency of a Sherman Tank to school! Her little brother Kent leaned in and muttered, “How do you like your new Camaro?”
Now, my mom never did get her Camaro, but she certainly was safe on the road driving that Newport. My Grandad wasn’t all that concerned with his daughter’s image, he was concerned with her safety and teaching her responsibility in driving. He bought her the Chrysler because he cared. Though I’m sure he did find it a little funny at his daughter’s poorly hidden disappointment.
Christ, most likely, cares very little for what WE want in life. He desires the things for us that we need! In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus says, “For the Gentiles seek after all (worldly) these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
May we seek the Kingdom of God this Advent Season. By doing so we might not be so distracted by the noise and stress of the season and instead have a Christmas filled with the Holy Spirit and our eyes turned towards the wonders of heaven!
We may think we need a Camaro, but God may send his gift and presence wrapped in the Chrysler Newport. As long as it brings you to the Kingdom, who cares what model it is?
Come, Lord Jesus.
—
Pastor Mike McVey
Minister – First United Methodist Church, Fairfield TX
ACS Chaplain – United States Coast Guard, Station Galveston TX
