John was blessed with good mechanical skills. At a time when VW Bugs were
popular, he became quite good at fixing them, and opened his own shop. And made
a lot of money over the years, which allowed him and his family to live the So
Cal lifestyle so important to him. He had all the desert toys, including a 30'
trailer, which made him the envy of many desert rats at the time. His wife
shopped at Nordstrom's, and his son had all the latest toys. He made good
money, but like most of us, lived beyond his financial means, but the steady
cash flow kept him afloat. And the more loans he paid off, the better his
credit, and more offers for more cheaper money flooded in. And although he had
made a name and reputation for himself in the VW community, he saw the market
shrinking, and that more money was to be made in BMW and Mercedes Benz
repairs.
So he decided to join in on the high end car repair trade. He closed his
VW shop, rented some expensive property in downtown San Diego, and was going to
show the other shops how to do business. He set up his shop rather well, and
thought the appearance would be important, more than the techs to fix the cars.
He promised what he thought was much to him, but in the market he now was in, it
was standard procedure. And although he was a master around a four cylinder air
cooled VW, he was in over his head on a 24 valve BMW. He got some cars to fix
initially, and found out many things, to his disadvantage. One was what he
thought was superior customer service, was the standard in this market, and he
fell short. Where once he had credit with all the VW parts houses, now he had
to pay cash, he was a new customer now, and if he needed a part, had to pay up
front. Which if it was wrong, may take all day to get the right one, if they
would take it back at all. Repairs that should have taken an afternoon, now
would be hopefully done the next day-a level of service not acceptable. And
soon his reputation began to get around as a nice guy who meant well, but was in
over his head. And soon where the lot would be full, now there were empty
bays. Less cars meant less techs, which meant less income. Everything went
down except his overhead.
And then the cracks began to appear, noticeable to all but his ego. On one
visit I found he had moved all his desert toys into one of the bays, not being
used. They were all for sale, and finally at lower prices to move them fast-he
needed cash. He was overextended, and without cash flow was living day to day,
sometimes car to car. His credit lines evaporated after he closed his old shop,
they were all based on what he had done, not on what he wanted to do. And on
one visit, I found his once enviable 30' fifth wheel occupying two bays in the
shop, leaving only one for repairs. Which was OK because he had to let go all
his techs. The reason the trailer was inside was because they were living in
it, and hiding it from the finance company. They had lost their home, and were
reduced to the trailer, which literally was on borrowed time. Where he was once
on top, he now was on the bottom, with more bottom to come. His family couldn't
stand the strain of living a lesser lifestyle, and soon his wife left him,
taking her BMW with her, and their son. John soon was living alone in the shop,
sans trailer, and that was the last time I saw him. Bitter, his ego blamed
everyone else. He felt because he was successful at one thing that he would be
successful at all things. Truly pride went before the fall, the last I heard he
was doing VW repairs again, at one of his competitors shops for flat rate
wages. His business, family, toys, and all he had thought important were gone.
He never saw what everyone else around him did, and had come full circle, back
to where he had started out. Not at all like he had planned... and not alone in
that arena either.
I attended a Bible study at a low end hotel downtown last night. Many nice
people, just trying to get by. Where life had dealt them a bad hand based on
poor decisions, they were making a go at it. They too had made mistakes, and
now were paying the price, with survival higher on the list than their dreams.
And as I watched, and listened, I was reminded of many things, among them except
for the grace of God go I. As a group, I find many times people in desperate
situations don't listen. Like John they thought they knew it all, look out
world here I come! But as they sunk deeper, found out that no one listened to
them. Which made them angry, resentful, bitter, and soon found solace in other
destructive ways. Drugs, alcohol, and crime become the norm, as survival means
me first, screw you, others don't even appear on the list. And sadly there is
always someone who will listen to them, not for their advantage, but to further
take advantage of them.
What I saw last night encouraged me. For one, those of us who went truly
have a heart for these people. We listened, and in this world where they have
to even ask to use the shared bathrooms, we were guests in their home. A role
they didn't often get to share. They were able to call the shots, and I was
blessed to listen to them read from the Bible. To watch them share their
testimonies and thoughts on tape, and saw something rise in them-self worth. A
sense of value, only found in Jesus Christ. They were a somebody, not a
something. A person not a number, all because someone cared enough to show up
and listen. To come along side of them, to be an advocate and love on them.
They got to see Jesus in person, not in some sermon, and were loved as they
were.
You may never sink so low as John did, or end like so many others at the
bottom of the social scale. You don't have to hit bottom before turning it all
over to Jesus, so don't wait. Let Him handle the small things before they turn
into big things. Ask Him, then listen for His answer, and then obey. Grace
works best when done in obedience. And watch as the small things take on a new
importance. Watch as a hug can bring a smile that no sermon can. That they too
have things to share, and may even end up blessing you. One bad decision may
have gotten you into trouble today, one good decision to trust Jesus can get you
out. It may not be instantaneous, so hang on for the ride. The things you
endure for Christ will provide a witness to others of God's love and strength,
a small example of having greater love-caring more about others than you do
yourself.
And you can't do it yourself, just look at John's example. He started at
the top, and worked his way to the bottom. Most of us are somewhere in
between. Which way the elevator of life goes depends on which button we push.
God tells us to set our sights on things on high-heaven. Push the up button.
No one ever starts out to be a failure, but many do. Trust God, keeping your
sights set on Him. And find that no matter where you are in life, He is
there-listening. He sees and hears your cries. And is always willing to
answer, and always does. Can we say the same thing about us? Do we hear and
see God?
Isn't it strange how everyone else can see the splinter in your eye, but
never see the log in their own? You can control your tongue, but not your
ears. Listen...the answer may be only as far away as the next voice you
hear...make sure the voice is Jesus! None are so blind as those that will not
see!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com