505 Clothman Car Giveaway, 2007-2008
“Clothman, we (Bill and Penny) have a vehicle we’d like to donate to the Clothman Car Giveaway, but there’s one problem.”
“That’s awesome! You know, there’s no way I could have given away 55 vehicles to needy folks in just two years if not for generous folks like yourselves. So what’s the problem?”
“We’re Atheists.”
Some of my best conversations about God and life have been with my Atheist friends. Besides sharing the same adventure of living on this third rock from the Sun, I’ve found they doubt God doesn’t exist as often as I doubt that he does.
“That’s not a problem for me, if it’s not for you.” And so began yet another incredible adventure.
When Bill and Penny arrived with their car a few days later my jaw dropped. It was a mint condition, black convertible, Nissan 240SX sports coup with only 79,000 miles.
“Holy Imports,” I said in shock, “Clothgirl is going wish she was homeless when she sees this car! I’ve got to ask, why would Atheists trust a Christian like me with such an unbelievable donation?”
“Oh, that’s easy,” Bill said without missing a beat, “we read your column religiously.”
As Penny handed me the keys to her “baby” through tears, I promised to find it the perfect home. I added, “Jesus once said, ‘No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit’ (Luke 6:43-44). Let me tell you, your fruit is very good.”
As they left I looked at the sports coup and prayed, “Dear God, help me find someone who desperately needs a car with no back seat, that’s expensive to license and insure, who will drive it with love and respect …and who can figure out its alarm system.”
Rachel was not your ordinary half-way house inmate. Not only had she found employment but she helped three fellow inmates get a job at the same place. She was a reformed go getter who had, by her own admission, gone and gotten illegally. She was so humble and giving that I actually had to talk her into receiving the car.
Because Rachel had been faithfully saving for a vehicle to get to and from work, and much more importantly to her, to visit her children across state upon release from prison in two weeks (her probation required her to live in Missoula County six more months) she already had the money necessary to license and insure the sports coup.
When Rachel saw the car she nearly fainted – no kidding. But here’s the best part of this amazing story. When Rachel asked what day it was to sign for the car’s title she broke into a flood of tears. On that exact day every year her brother (who was her best friend in life) had always given her a “special” gift. Her brother had died unexpectedly two years prior, but God remembered.
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