A couple months ago, my son, Nick, got in a car accident on his way home from work. He wasn’t hurt but his older car was totalled. We spent a few weeks sharing my car when he needed it. On Mother’s Day weekend, I had an idea that I wanted to share with him and his wife, SaraJane. As we sat down at dinner, I wondered how to bring up my idea and finally decided to just say it.

“I’ve been thinking about your car situation, and I think we should all commit to praying every day for God to provide a car for you. I think we should be very specific in what we ask for.” After talking about the details, we all agreed that we would pray everyday for God to provide a reliable car that Nick could drive to and from work for $6000 total. They said they were hoping to spend between 6k and 7k, but we decided to be more specific. If you have looked at used cars lately, you know that a reliable car for $6k out the door is nearly impossible. Ah…but God.

A couple of weeks passed, and we all prayed. We didn’t talk much about the car search during that time. When I asked Nick about it, he said he hadn’t really been looking that much. Just waiting. Meanwhile, in addition to the specific prayers, I was asking God to make it very obvious to the kids that He was working and providing.

Memorial Day weekend came, and Nick got an email from a dealer that they had a car he might be interested in. So they drove up to take a look. When they arrived, the car had sold. The salesman showed them a few other cars. One was a 2016 Hyundai Accent. The saleman started the car and discovered that someone had mistyped the mileage on the information sheet. The 80k difference on the mileage would have been about $3000 more in the selling price. However, the salesman said they would honor the price they had listed.

After a test drive, they decided that this was the car God was leading them to purchase. They sat down at the table to work out the deal. With taxes, license and fees, it came out a little more than they wanted to spend, so Nick and SJ asked if they could get the price down to $6800 total. The salesman left and came back to tell them we’ll give it to you for $6500. When have you ever heard of a salesman coming back with a LOWER price than you asked for? SaraJane was so excited, she asked the salesman, “Do you believe in God? Because this is exactly what we have been praying for!”

This was a lesson in God’s faithfulness and provision. But also a lesson in boldness. Hebrews 4:16 says “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (NKJV, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson). God tells us to be bold!

More than that, it was a lesson to me. My days of being “mom” every day have come and gone. I’m on to being grandma and enjoying all that a “Grammy” gets to do and be. But, being a spiritual leader and example to my kids and grandkids does not end when adulthood begins. It is never too late or too early to show your kids, grandkids, great grandkids, neighbors, parents, friends, co-workers, and car salesmen the power of a prayer.

God is so good to us. Don’t forget to bring your needs boldly to the throne of grace today. He cares. He hears. He answers.