Divine Intersections: New friends in old, fav places!

Geoff "Junior" Sandefur of Old Tin auto club

​If you know me personally, you know I don’t believe in coincidence. I know that my steps are ordered by the Lord I follow and everyone I meet is by divine design. That’s not because of religion, but a relationship. If you know Him too, you’ll know what I mean. But, there’s Word for it as well...

23 A man’s steps are established by the LORD.
He delights in his way.
24  Though he stumble, he shall not fall,
for the LORD holds him up with his hand. 
Psalm 37:23-24 WMB

​Due to a side-effect from this last chemo series (as stated in last week’s edition, it’s a cautionary protocol, and I’m cancer-free) my sugars have gone all wonky. I had to meet with my endocrinologist and now I’m on a four-times-a-day glucose check and injections for each check, if needed.  

A milestone came from all this. Since I was a kid, growing up with a diabetic mother (who was also a nurse) I learned to give insulin injections when I was about seven-years-old. I didn’t mind doing it a bit but was still a needle-phobe in regards to getting shots myself. 

This cancer journey has gotten me way over it, but not the aspect of self-injections. This past week I gave myself my first shot! Woohoo! Granted, it was with a near-microscopic needle in an insulin pen, but hey! Still counts!

So, the four-times-a-day injections (when needed) really aren’t a big deal. I’m just excited that I’m doing it myself and not fainting just thinking about it.

And so, all that to set me up in a good mood for the rest of the day, when my sister and I spotted an antique, red roadster going up the street where we were parked while my brother-in-law picked up some groceries.

After the grocery store, we headed to my fav shop in the whole city, Rural King! I’ve linked it ‘cause some of my readers live in areas that don’t have Rural King shops. And, if you grew up country, you’ll understand why it’s my fav shop!

As we pulled into our parking spot, we landed right next to the beautiful red roadster!

​Common ground

​My brother-in-law had only been in the shop a few minutes when the car’s owner came out and popped the trunk to store his purchases, and I noticed yet another cool thing... He’s wearing a Navy service cover (cap). So, you know, I compelled (literally) to get out, greet him, thank him for his service and tell him how impressed we were with his awesome ride.

He turned out to be Geoff “Junior” Sandefur, Navy vet and member of Evansville’s Old Tin Car Club! They’re a small club and don’t have a website to get acquainted with them, but maybe I can help remedy that. 

Geoff was one of the kindest folks I’ve ever had the privilege to meet and he gave me a complete tour of his vehicle, explaining that when he was a kid, the car had belonged to a neighborhood teenager, who’d taken it apart and, for whatever reason, never put it back together. Geoff was given permission to take it over and began hauling the parts home, carrying some of them on his bicycle.

I think he said it took him 20 years to get it all together and wow! He did a bang-up job with it! Inside and out, it’s a thing of beauty that’d make any auto lover's heart pitter-patter.
I wish I’d taken more pics, but I hope to be granted an interview with the Old Tin club and be able to then get pics of all the members’ vehicles and the stories behind them.

While we talked, I felt that familiar Presence escalating and somehow, being a very blessed cancer survivor quickly got worked into the conversation. Turns out, Geoff is also a recent cancer survivor, and sadly also recently widowed. At that point, both our eyes filled with tears as we talked about the indescribable comfort, strength and joy we’ve been blessed with via our mutual Friend and Saviour. 

As our conversation came to a close, we hugged and agreed to keep each other in prayer for the days ahead. Even in sorrow, the man was smiling, positive, happy and encouraging. 

That’s the effect of Jesus, from the inside out. There is nothing like it to be found anywhere but in Him, and with Him.

I’m so thankful for the relationships the Lord has blessed me with during my life’s journey. They are more precious than anything that can be obtained in the physical and whether they know and belong to Jesus Christ or not, they are a gift from Him and to be treasured. 

I pray your life has been as richly blessed by Him as mine.

​Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good.
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 34:8 WMB

​My thanks to Geoff for taking the time to let me tour his car and for blessing me with a new friendship! I look forward to seeing him again and meeting his friends in the Old Tin club!

My thanks to YOU for visiting today and taking the time to read through the post! Your interest and interaction are always appreciated and helps me earn a living in a field I love!

‘Til next time,

Shalom