The New Toaster

A few years a go I had a Scion xB. When they first came out I thought they were hideous. They looked like nothing more than little boxes, and they had the aerodynamics of a brick. In fact, that crack may be unfair to bricks. Those in the know call xB’s “toasters.”

Then, one day, I saw one that totally changed my mind about them. Not too long later, I bought one. It was cool. I lowered it, added nice wheels and had a blast with it. Unfortunately, the time came when I needed something bigger, so I sold it to Critter.

Every time I would see an xB, I would tell Lanette, “I miss my toaster.” I tried trading for one a few times, but it never worked out. Then, a couple of months ago, we made the decision to get another car. Literally within 30 minutes of making the decision I was at El Centro Motors looking for a car. Lo and behold, what was up for sale? You guessed it, a toaster. It was the newer model, and this one was already fixed up. My new toaster is a limited edition, number 1657 of only 2000 made. It is Voodoo Blue, a special color for this edition. It is faster than my old car, and just as roomy and fun as my original. A couple of days ago I told Nette, “This toaster is everything I wanted the first toaster to be.”

It’s funny, I really enjoyed my first xB, but it didn’t have very much power. It didn’t have cruise control, and it didn’t have much power. Did I mention that it didn’t have a lot of power? The new xB is so much more fun. It drives really, really well, it has cruise control and even a sunroof. All in all, it is a better car all the way around.

A lot of people attended church as children but then drifted away, or got mad or disillusioned and left. For one reason or another they have never come back to the church.

Then, one day, something clicks. I have talked to so many people who say, “But, Jerry, I have gone so far away from God. Surely he’s not going to take me back.” Yes, he will, and stop calling me Shirley…

I love the story of the Prodigal Son. Basically, a farmer’s son tells his dad, “I’m tired of waiting for you to die. Give me my inheritance early.” Surprisingly, the dad doesn’t backhand slap the kid, he gives him the cash!

It’s no shock that it doesn’t go well for the punk, I mean kid. He loses everything and comes to his senses. I love what happens next: “He got right up and went home to his father.

"When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: 'Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son ever again.'

" But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to the servants, ‘We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time! My son is here––given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!'” Luke 15:20-24

Did you notice the phrase, “When he was still a long way off…” The dad was looking for him. He couldn’t wait for his ungrateful, rebellious son to come home. He not only accepted him back, he threw a party!

Not only will God accept you back, he’s been sitting on the porch, waiting for you to return. It’s your move now. And if your old church won’t accept you, I know a church in El Centro with a chubby, bald headed pastor where you will be more than welcome.

Cruising the new toaster… Jerry