I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth … Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. – Psalm 34:1, 3 NKJV

When we praise the Lord our perspective changes. Magnifying the Lord actually de-magnifies the issues of our lives turning our mountains into molehills. Waiting on Him results in the transformation of our souls and deliverance from despair.

I waited patiently for the LORD; and He … brought me up out of a horrible pit … He has put a new song in my mouth— praise to our God. – Psalm 40:1-3 NKJV

My KIA Sportage, affectionately called “Makia”, hit 120,000 miles and my parents insisted that I take it in for a timing belt change. $500 later I encountered difficulty accelerating and discovered that 65 mph was my maximum speed on the interstate. Assuming it was a problem with the recent timing belt installation I returned to my mechanic. He checked it out and informed me that the upper chamber of the catalytic converter was “melted” causing interference with the exhaust. Roughly translated that meant another $500! I started car shopping. My criteria:

- Reliable vehicle
- Under 70,000 miles
- Great gas mileage
- In my price range

I found a gold Toyota Camry that fit the bill. A dealership quoted a $1,000 trade in value and came down quite a bit from the listed price offering me a bargain I could hardly refuse.

The problem?

I didn’t “love” the car! Makia was paid off and I had been working diligently to get out of debt. Another loan would only prolong the process. I listed Makia for sale. No takers. A wholesale company offered me $1,000 cash. After spending that much on repairs it would simply serve as reimbursement. I was left with two options:

1. Keep the KIA that I already owned with NO payments.
2. “Give” Makia away and start over with five more years of payments.

My perspective change?

I “bought” the car … Makia that is … for $1,000!

Instead of seeing the repairs as an unwelcome expense I chose to view the situation as getting a great deal on the “purchase” of a purple SUV that I already love! The dealer had said my KIA was going to “nickel and dime” me. It felt that way having to spend so much on maintenance, but then again, it was already over 120,000 miles and I had never spent anything significant on repairs. A new car would have cost much more. I concluded that nickels and dimes add up to much less than quarters and dollars.

Everything made more sense when a friend shared a story about finding dimes in the most unusual places, meeting two ladies with the last name Nickel, and sensing the Lord speaking, “Grace, grace,” through the number five, which symbolizes grace. The light bulb finally went on in regards to my own situation:

- Two sets of fives ($500 for each repair)
- Comment that KIA would “nickle and dime” me
- Story about dimes and two ladies named Nickle
- Clock showing 5:55pm while trying to decide

In the midst of my vehicle predicament I began to clearly see how the Lord was speaking, “Grace, grace!” You might even say I got a new pair-a-dime”. Amazing how perspective changes everything! Adoring God gives us hope and great confidence as we declare, “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance” (Psalm 16:6 NIV). Next time you’re faced with a crisis at work, start praising the Lord. You’ll begin to see the glass as half full!

- Chérie Blair