Well, Ole Barney finally bit the dust.

I had known the time was coming and had tried to prepare myself for it, but it seems one can never be fully prepared for such things. I had originally thought November would be the month I’d make a change, but more things came up and I was looking at maybe February or March.

But then, a couple of weeks ago the noises became louder and there were more trips to the “car doctor” and I could foresee even higher repair bills. For those who don’t know me, Barney was my trusted 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier, so named because of his purple “Barney” color. A toy stuffed Barney always rode in the back seat. It may seem strange to some, but I’ll miss Barney.

He came into my life at a very low point and he was the answer to a prayer. And up until the last few years, he served me well. I bought him with just 13,000 miles and yes, I was attached to him. He got good gas mileage and it was nice not having to make car payments. But at 234,000 miles, it was time to let go.

And then last week, another prayer was answered. I started home on Thursday before last feeling kind of low and wondering what to do about my situation. I told the Lord that He knew my need—it wasn’t just a want, but a real need. On a hunch, I pulled in at Pendarvis to check out what they had.

I described to John Kemp Jr., the salesman, what I had in mind. He shook his head and said, “I don’t think we have anything on the lot at the time like you’re looking for.”

And then I mentioned that I had driven a Chevrolet Aveo from their rental place last year while my car was being worked on (I remembered how I wished I could own it, but felt it was out of reach at the time because I had some bills I wanted to get out of the way first). “You know,” he said. “I think we still have that little car down there.”

I didn’t think it was possible they could still have the same car but they called the next morning and said they did. He described the color and everything—a 2010 teal green. It had been rented out for the weekend, but they let me drive a black 2008 that someone had brought in on Saturday. I considered it for a moment, but when I saw that car sitting there on Monday, my mind was made up.

It was the easiest I ever bought a car in my life. Like I told my daughter once when she and her husband were trying to buy a house and kept running into problems, “If something is that hard, it’s not meant to be.” At first, I was scared I couldn’t afford it. I had them check the figures twice. I couldn’t believe it!

I was getting what I wanted at a price I could afford! As I told John and Richard on Tuesday, “I can’t find a thing I don’t like about it.”

I don’t miss things like having to put water in the radiator before going to work and before returning home when I had radiator trouble a few years ago. Or being stranded on the side of the road before a major repair job last year. Or having to suffocate in 100 degree weather last summer when the air went out and having to search everywhere for a used air conditioner.

I don’t miss the inconvenience of manual locks and windows or the numerous times I locked myself out. Or the frequent trips to a garage the last year or so and having to depend on friends and co-workers for a ride. I do enjoy things like having a radio that actually works and a CD player; the ease of riding along without feeling every bump in the road; a good air conditioner and heater; modern conveniences of automatic locks and windows, a gas tank lock and rear window wipers; and free OnStar for several months.

Not to mention the security of knowing that when I get in, it will probably crank and it will probably get me where I’m going. It’s a neat-looking automobile and it’s wonderful on gas! Not that I should have needed to be reminded, but yes, God does answer prayers—he’s answered quite a few in-between Barney and now.

And lest I forget, His timing is perfect!