Happy New Year Everyone!
Many years ago, my husband bought me a new car and it had a feature on the key fob that I never had before. It was a panic button. If you couldn’t find your car in a parking lot, all you had to do was hit the panic button and the horn would honk and the lights would flash on and off. This was new a feature that seemed like a good idea to me because several times in large parking lots, I would forget where I parked.
I only had the car a few weeks and happened to be at the supermarket. When I came out with bundles of groceries, I wanted to push the button for the trunk but instead hit the panic button. There was only one problem. I didn’t read how to turn it off. I thought if I opened the trunk, somehow this new technology would figure out I found the car and shut off. It did not. Then I thought maybe when you unlocked the door it would shut off. It did not. By now people were starting to stare and I was starting to panic myself. As a last resort I though maybe if I started the car it would shut off. No such luck. So I very nonchalantly (as much as I could) put the groceries in the trunk – all the while with people looking.
When I got the groceries in the car, all I could think was that the horn must be stuck and I would have to drive to the gas station for help. However I called my husband at his office, hoping that he wasn’t with a client or in court. Relief! He was in. As I explained this problem to him, he told me to just hit the button again. Magically, it went off. I could tell he was trying hard not to laugh. But at that point all I could think was that I was so glad I didn’t go to the gas station! In my mind I could almost hear the roar of laughter coming from the service station attendants.
My husband always said that I made life interesting and from that time on, every once in a while when we were out, he would hit the panic button and smile. We both would laugh about it.
We all have times of stress and anxiety and fear. We hit the panic button. But all we have to do is shut it off. Don’t let the horn of fear be stuck – just shut it off. How? With praise and thanksgiving, trusting in the Lord to see you through.
Lay all your burdens down at the feet of Jesus. Put them all in His hands and take back your peace, your shalom. Take back all the peace, joy, health, prosperity that is yours through the Blood of Jesus and shut off – the panic button!
Blessings, Evelyn
This sharing is so timely. Of course,humorous too. I love Evelyn and Bill escapades. I appreciate the helpful ways that you give us to turn off the panic button. The words praise,Thanksgiving, and trust are the keys to stopping the panic. What wonderful words. Thanks Ev.
Dear Linda,
Thank you so much for commenting. Many have had some stressful times this past year and the Lord suggested I share this. It’s embarrassing, but as you know I have many Ev’s Escapades. Maybe I should write a book on the escapades! After all, God’s Word says that laughter is the best medicine!
Blessings, Evelyn
Thanks for the wonderful message !! It is not only funny but as you said God’s word says that laughter is the best medicine.
Dear Ardie and Walter,
Thank you for commenting. I have to admit I still laugh when I think about it. Very embarrassing, but sometimes these times provide years of laughter and good memories..
Blessings, Evelyn
Thank you for sharing this blog with me, Ev. Whenever I hear the sound of someone’s car alarm, I can’t wait for the owner to press their device and then…! ahh, absolute silence. It’s good to be reminded that I’m the owner of my own set of alarms. Praise God for His everlasting care and presence. Thanks again for this devotional reading for today! Love, Joanne
Dear Joanne,
Thank you for commenting. It’s true, now when I hear a car alarm that just isn’t going off, I will remember my experience. Maybe I will just have to laugh and take it as a reminder to not press the panic button of my life.
Blessings, Evelyn
Thank you Ev, for a really enjoyable laugh WITH you, and, for informing me how to turn the panic button off as well! It surely would never occur to me to hit the
button AGAIN! … and I have a suspicion, I’m speaking for most women!
What a BLESSED reminder that we can and should turn that panic button right off … and not a moment too soon … because sometimes we can let that
horn of ours blow just a little too long! And what a blessing to know that our “off button” is just a praise, thanksgiving and trust away!
Thank you so much Ev! Love, Kath
Dear Kath,
Thank you for responding. I’m so glad that it spoke to your heart as well as made you laugh. Sometimes God teaches us things in very funny and unusual ways, if we would only “see” what He is showing us.
Blessings, Evelyn