Friday, February 13, 2009

Growing pains

Parents always say they never regret having their kids. It kind of goes with the territory. Love conquers all (eventually). But whilst you're living through it all, it seems like you're struggling from one crisis to the next. Like when they first learn to drive. Despite your better judgement, you let them drive the family car. Later you buy them something to run around in. But, when they're starting off, you add them to your own auto insurance policy (and say prayers). Frank and Joan had two teenaged children who pestered them to drive the family car on special occasions. When that use grew to be expected, one car wasn't enough so the first cheap, fixer-upper that never got fixed joined the family car on the driveway. They talked over the problem with their agent. "He was kinda laid back about it all," Joan said with a smile. "He warned us that kids always have a run of accidents. Ours were no exception." Frank leaned over to interrupt. "It was a bad two or three years. Everytime they went out, we never knew whether they would come back in one piece." Joan was nodding in agreement. "We found ourselves turning to Christ more often. We had the Pastor bless the cars when the kids weren't around and held prayer sessions on a regular basis. There were five small fender benders. Nothing too serious, and never a scratch on the kids." "Praise the Lord!" Joan's smile of relief said it all. "And every time the auto insurance came round for renewal we were expecting a hike. But the company held the line." "It was all down to the agent who showed us how to get the discounts to keep everything smooth until they could get policies of their own at good premium rates." Later, there were all the worries about dropping out of college, surprise pregnancies and marriages. But that's another story. This one says find a good auto insurance agent who can help you through the teenage years. Other than that, trust in the Lord to see you through.