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  Eric Dishongh, PhD (504-606-1267)
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    Eric Dishongh, PhD

    Connecting others to Jesus and His church as a husband, dad, minister, counselor, professor and friend

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160,000 Miles and Still Going

4/23/2013

 
Picture
I’m not going to lie. I want a new car. I’m tired of driving my dirty old Toyota Corolla.

The thing has 160,000 miles on it.

I bought it brand new in 2005 from a good friend, Jason Allesandro. It was a great deal. I put a little money down and paid $335.78 a month for five years.

Eight years later, however, there are all kinds of things wrong with it. The left side mirror is broken. The headlights are yellow. There are bugs fixated on my front bumper. The windshield has a crack in it. The wipers have rust on them. There are spots of chipped paint. Another spot has been scratched with a key. I get black stuff on my hands from the steering wheel. The floor mats are beyond faded. One of the foot guards won’t stay in place. And, occasionally, sugar ants can be found in there.

I could go on and on with what’s wrong with my car.

So, the other day, I said to Mitzi, “I want a new car.” Her response was, “I thought you said awhile back that you were going to drive your Corolla till it dies. There’s nothing wrong with it. Just go wash it.”

She was so right.

There is nothing wrong with my Corolla. It still gets me from Point A to Point B. The engine works. The transmission works. The tires have been recently rotated. My brakes are new. I just got an oil change. And, most importantly, the dirty old thing has been paid for the last few years.

The honest truth is this: The other day I attended a meeting and arrived right on time. Everyone else was already there. As I’m parking my Corolla, I noticed a black Mercedes, a white BMW, and a red Corvette. I saw all of those cars and noticed the 160,000 number on my odometer. That’s when I started wanting a new car.

With all of that said, I keep remembering a couple of things that I learned awhile back from my friend, Steve Diggs, at his No Debt, No Sweat Personal Money Management Seminar. First, many people buy cars to try to impress people that they don’t even like! Second, the average millionaire never buys a brand new car and always pays cash for it.

And, if I can add two more things. First, why fix something that ain’t broke? Second, we can spend so much time focusing on the bad things that aren't working instead of focusing on the good things that are working. This principle, of course, is not limited to cars!

Pictured above: Me and my shiny, old 2005 Corolla- thanks, Mitz!

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” 

(I Timothy 6:6-8)


20 Comments
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Sarah A.
4/23/2013 08:43:31 am

What a great post!! A wonderful reminder of how The Lord sees us everyday. He's not finished with us. He sees potential even when we feel we are old and broken and ready to retire. Thanks again for this reminder!!

Reply
Angel
4/23/2013 08:51:19 am

Eric, this is great! Jeff drove his car till it completely died about 3 weeks ago. We now have a note because he got a newer one. I kept thinking to myself that I wanted a new one too. My speedometer and gas gage is messed up and I think I need my thermostat changed, it still cools though. I realized that my car still runs really good and gets me to where I need to be. We settled on one car note for now and I will too drive mine till it dies like he did with his car.

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David Courington
4/23/2013 09:02:54 am

I'm right there with you brother. Driving a 2007 Corolla with 135,000. Have always traded at 100,000 or so before, but someone told me that was 70's thinking and I could go far longer with little trouble. But I have to say, I really want to trade.

Reply
Gail Kelley link
4/23/2013 09:09:28 am

Sounds like the cars that park next to my semi-new 2 door Honda Accord with a manual transmission that Bob D (with the red automatic Corvette) asked me if I was getting a Model T when I told him I wanted a manual. I believe in 'effortless exercise' so I stand on a Fitter wobble board behind my laptop, and have had no more cases of Piriformis Syndrome since I got the manual. I also get 40 MPG!

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ancil jenkins
4/23/2013 09:54:50 am

I admire your thrift. Thanks for sending your blog.

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Ryan
4/23/2013 10:39:56 am

Just think, it will be an antique before you know it and you will get a discount on your taxes. I really enjoyed reading your story.

Reply
Herman
4/23/2013 10:51:19 am

Great blog. I was having the same thoughts about wanting a new car. I only have 150,000 miles so I guess I'll wait till you get one.

Reply
LaTonja
4/23/2013 02:34:44 pm

Be careful what you ask for. I once said I was going to drive a car until the doors fell off and interestingly enough, i ended up being in an accident and the car was totaled. God's grace is sufficient in all things!

Reply
Abby Paul
4/23/2013 03:32:17 pm

Great post! So many times, we look to what is new. I try to ask myself..."What would someone without my income or resources do?" Remember all the wonderful things God allows you to do with your income...are you being the best shepherd you can be?

Reply
John Harmon
4/23/2013 04:06:49 pm

Eric, I have a steering wheel cover for you the next time I see you.

Reply
David Mitchell
4/24/2013 12:36:27 am

Your story really hit home with me. Before I fond myself in my sixties, i was the one who always needed, yes needed, a new car. There have been many occasions when I didn't drive a brand new car for more than a year, two at the most. Wow! I must have been really needy. Or maybe in need of something even greater than a new car! Like being content, satisfied with what I had, comfortable driving something less than the newest and best, maybe needing to realize I was a lot richer than my new cars made me feel. At sixty-eight, my wife is driving an eight year old Honda Accord and I'm driving a ten year old pickup. Now when I think about a new car, I think about all God has blessed me with, especially my beautiful family, and am once again content, knowing if God wants me to have a new car, he'll arrange for me to have one. I will wait on him to let me know.

Reply
Huey Mayfield
4/24/2013 02:26:00 am

Eric, this is good. But you are right. I have never been one to buy a new car very often. The last car we bought was 1999. Samie did get her Dad's car when he died, but it is a 2005. As long as they provide good transportation, what else do you need. Good to hear from you. Tell everyone hello

Reply
Kristin Northrup
4/24/2013 05:37:38 am

There is an epidemic in America of people with a skewed sense of entitlement. It is easy, in our culture, to fall into that trap and think, "I deserve this [new car]." But from my personal experience with driving a beat-up car far longer than I wanted to, if you wait on the Lord's timing, you will be blessed for that. We prayed hard about it (and waited and waited) and God eventually brought us a super deal on a great car just when the time was right. It is awesome to give HIM the glory every time someone says something about the car.

Reply
Eric Dishongh
4/24/2013 08:36:58 am

Thank you to all who have posted comments! This post has resulted in wide variety of responses, and I think that's awesome! Thank you very much!

Reply
Kristin Dishongh
4/24/2013 02:44:44 pm

I've never owned a truly new car. They have all been new to me, but none have been any newer than 2 years old. There is something about being the only person that has ever owned a new car that is so appealing to me. I just like the idea of knowing everything the car has been through or not been through for that matter. I love my car now, but I want to enjoy a truly new car at some point in the future. If your brother has his way, that may never happen, ha ha!

Reply
Tanya
4/25/2013 04:35:54 am

Thank you for this, Eric! It doesn't apply to just a car but all things material and I often need the reminder. :) Just because I want, doesn't mean I need. God provides all that I truly need.

Reply
Brandon fox
4/25/2013 01:45:42 pm

Well said brother Eric, miss you old friend.

Reply
Ed Coon III
4/25/2013 04:18:38 pm

Eric, wives always have the ability and wisdom to keep us husbands in line, regarding new cars.
For 23 years I drove a 1983 & a 1984.
When the ladies at Linda's work told her to let me buy a new car, she said no-way, I'll let him have 4,000 or 5,000 to get another car.
Before we retired we got a new car. I had to wait till I was 65. Maybe you won't have to wait that long.
Linda's spirit was strong but my flesh was weak.

Reply
Susan A Griffin
4/27/2013 08:51:32 am

Eric, I look forward to reading your blog...you have the wisdom and articulation of someone much older than your "young age"! I take time to ponder my spiritual journey' s choices and decisions with each of your writings! Looking forward to next month!

Reply
Cheap Arizona link
1/23/2021 01:36:25 pm

Thannk you for writing this

Reply



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