This past weekend a very valuable lesson resurfaced as we celebrated Independence Day with our friends, family, and community.  Years ago a friend of ours started what has now become a family tradition of renting a golf car for July 4th. 

It was Friday and the girls and I were anticipating the arrival of the golf car rental.  Hopeful that it indeed would arrive and that it would arrive in the fashion of a six-passenger.  We love to be able to take lots of friends and family to all the community festivities.

When it comes to celebrating July 4th, anticipation runs wild among most families that live in our community.  Our family is no exception.  We enjoy thinking about and imagining the fun we are going to experience.  It is the yearly celebration that brings unity to our community.    

I was at the grocery store when I received the call that the golf car was soon to be delivered.  I arrived at the house just as the car was coming off the truck. 

It was a beautiful red shiny golf car.  Clearly, the nicest-looking golf car we have received from this company.  I smiled and asked the gentleman if he would review the basic driving instructions.  It was significantly more advanced than our other rentals.   He gave me the basic instructions and went on his way.

My daughters were very pleased with the beautiful golf car.  The next morning we drove the car as part of the parade and then parked it down at the community beach.  I went home to prepare for our guests and the girls continued to enjoy the community activities.   

Shortly after arriving home, I received a call from my daughter saying the golf car was not moving.   After running through a list of possible solutions, it became clear there was a serious issue. 

As I was making some calls, the girls and 4 of their friends put the car in neutral and started to push it home.  With much embarrassment, the sixteen-year-olds rolled the golf car uphill approximately halfway home.  Quickly deciding it was safe at the home of one of their friends. 

At this point, all the anticipation that we had built in our minds was quickly disappearing.  I knew that I had guests arriving and no food prepared.  The girls, now legal to drive, knew that their hope of riding around with all their friends was gone. 

Our eyes saw a beautiful red six-seat golf car in fabulous condition!  We saw the possibility and envisioned a weekend of riding around on an amazing machine.  But what occurred to me is that all those years of renting a well-used and well-loved golf car that functioned was so much more valuable than the shiny red beautiful golf car that my kids and their friends had to push back to safety.

I challenge myself to look past what meets the eye, to investigate, and to look beyond my first impressions.  The outside of the package is often deceiving.  The beautiful red golf car was not what we anticipated. 

I pray that I am able to focus and learn from this lesson.  That my faith will guide me to uncover the truth and that the outcome will promote love among families, communities, and the world in which we live.

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