A Story About A Stroller

If you know me...you know that I am a researcher. Before I buy, I research everything about it. Also if you know me, you know that I can be a little on the impulsive side when it comes to buying that researched item. Well, I would like to share a little story about a stroller.

Back in September I realized the need for a new double stroller. The one that I had( an inline graco), I could no longer push with 70 pounds in it. By all means, most of the time when kids get that heavy they are able to walk and do not need a stroller. Due to Eli's seizures, he needs to be in a stroller. Especially on his bad days. And Samuel...well, being Samuel needs to be confined when we are out and about. He will find the prettiest gal around and convince her that he is cute enough to take home...and oh yes, would probably go. He is only two. Thus the need for still using a double stroller. Oh and if you know me, you know that I love strollers! I had a double jogging stroller that we would take to outside events...and that was a cinch to push. Only one problem, one huge problem, it wouldn't fit through most doorways or through the isles at the store. Pretty useless if you have to take the kids out of it, and fold it up to get it through the door. And not to mention after three years and many walks up and down our road(which was great!) it was not in the best of shape. Torn seat, wobbly wheel, and a continuously flat tire and one trip to the bike repair guy couldn't help all that. Although I have to say that it was a huge blessing in Colorado and at County Fair! It just wasn't an inside stroller and that is what I needed. I never would have imagined I would still need it by now. Eli's condition requires one....I am dreading the day where he has to be in a wheelchair or something. God willing he will be healed and we won't have to go there! But for now, the more "normal" things can be the better.
I do a lot with the kids by myself....nature of being a farmer's wife. And that is ok with me as long as I have the right equipment. I quickly realized I needed an all-terrain double stroller with pneumatic wheels and that could fit through a standard size door and fit a 4 year old comfortably. My search was on. I spent a whole afternoon researching strollers and I came to find a brand called Valco Baby. Huh, never heard of them. And there is was, the PERFECT stroller. Not only did it have everything I needed....It had room for three! And all this fit through a standard doorway. It was amazing. I watched it on youtube, read the parent reviews. There was not a bad word to be said about it. OK so this was it....oh wait, it was waaaay to expensive. I knew that it would NEVER fly with Josh....Never! He is usually really good at providing me with my mommy tools, but this price tag was ridiculous. I couldn't even bring myself to ask him. So I didn't, I clicked the "add to cart" button and let pay pal take the fall! I was so excited...I was gonna have what I needed ( or wanted). I waited for days for it to came and at this point trying to figure out how to make my case to Josh. In my heart I knew it was sin...and I should have never ordered it without Josh's approval. Especially since I knew he would say no! It arrived and I had to muster up the courage to ask God to forgive me and then ask Josh to forgive me. I told Josh that I was sending back and I knew I was wrong and he really didn't argue with me. I had already made the arrangements with the company to return it. They even paid for the return shipping! The UPS man came to get it and that was that...or so I thought.
I continued to tell Josh what a huge help it would be to me.....Bottom line was no. It was too much to pay for a stroller. I was sad, but sending it back felt good knowing that I was doing the right thing. My sweet husband was so merciful. I asked for it for Christmas and my birthday, but to no avail. I started looking for strollers that were cheaper, but they all were too wide. I figured at this point someone would have to give us one, like that would ever happen! I started praying that if it be God's will that I would somehow be able to get one, and if it wasn't His will that my heart would change. Two weeks ago I dusted off the old jogger. And thought how blessed I was to have it and I was determined to forget about the Valco Baby Tri Mode EX twin in Raven and be content with the stroller I had. I was gonna make it work! I stuck it in the car and had totally given up on the valco. God had said no!
Friday night I just had an urge to look on craigs list for a used one...maybe Josh would go for that! OK I guess I didn't totally give it up. The Chicago area was the closest to have a listing for this stroller. I replied to one add..he stated something about this stroller would be a "blessing". He was selling for half the price as new!! I thought just maybe Josh would go for it. I thought the seller might be a believer, but using blessing is not always an indication. I think that same night the seller emailed me back that he would call me the next day. As we talked I could tell that he was very honest...wanting to make sure that I knew what the stroller was like. I thanked him for his honesty (he was unaware that I had been researching if for 5 months!). His reply was that his honesty was a product of being a strong Christian family! Ah Ha...I thought so. Always nice to meet another brother or sister in Christ.
I told him a little about Eli and why we were interested in the stroller. They were so sweet. He basically said that my email had really touched his and his wife's heart and they wanted us to have the stroller and to let him know what we were able to do.  So I called Josh and told him about it. If you know Josh you know he doesn't get too excited about this stuff. He gave me an allowance of how much I was able to give for it. As I emailed the seller back I felt horrible. I knew that the seller was really wanting us to be able to have it, however it was considerably less than what he was asking. I almost thought it was unfair. At this point I knew that it might not come to be. I think they really wanted us to have it, but I didn't want to shortchange them. I was totally OK with not getting it at this point. This time around I really wanted it to be God's will and nothing of me. I wasn't going to make it happen, i needed God to. I was so filled with joy! My heart was full and I was really OK with not getting it if it wasn't to be His will. I even saw joy in that. I just wanted to be in God's will. Being in His will is the best place to be. Out of His will is a lonely place to be.
So on Sunday morning, before church, Josh answers my cell phone and it is the seller! He talks and hangs up. I asked him who it was and he simply replied that it was Joe, he wants to give it to us! In disbelief, I said, "what"? Yeah, josh replied...they want to give it to us. My heart leapt for joy....but wait, I hope we didn't give them the impression that we couldn't afford it. We didn't want to take advantage of anyone. I called him back and basically he and his wife just wanted to give it to us as a gift, money aside! They had prayed about it and this is where the Lord had lead them. Their kindness and compassion overwhelms me still. Only God could do this! I felt so incredibly loved.
My heart was full of joy and renewed hope that went further than the stroller. Sometimes God says no, sometimes, he says yes and sometimes he says not yet. I had definitely thought the stroller was a no. And recently I have really thought Eli's healing was a no. But just like the stroller....Eli's healing is just a not yet! Praise be to God!! Who knew God would use this stroller situation for me to have a renewed hope.
It may sound silly, but this stroller has more meaning to me than anyone will ever know. Thank you to our new friends from Ill. Hope we all will meet again! I can't thank them enough for this amazing gift.

Disobedience leads to repentance, repentance leads to forgiveness, forgiveness leads to grace and mercy only a Father can give, this leads to communion with Christ and thru that is renewed hope!

Oh and by the way we took the stroller out for it's first ride today and it was amazing!!! It was everything that I thought it would be! Eli LOVES it! I couldn't get him out of it! I am one happy Mama!

I guess part of this lesson for me is don't let unresolved sin get in the way of communion with our LORD and savior Jesus Christ, seek forgiveness and truly repent, and let the love of Jesus wash over you!

I can't help but wonder what would have happened if  I wouldn't have repented of my sin with Josh!

Praying that God will continually search me and show me where I need to repent!