Introduction: Life has a way of throwing unexpected moments at us, and sometimes, those moments teach us lessons we never saw coming. This is the first post in a series where I reflect on a pivotal time in my life—one that involved surprises, trust, and stepping into independence.
A Call Out of Nowhere
Friday, August 16, 2013
I received a phone call from a telemarketer about an appointment my husband, “the Coach,” had made. Apparently, we were scheduled to tour a vacation resort in Galveston, TX, that coming Sunday at 10 AM. The problem? I knew nothing about it! If I hadn’t checked the mailbox that day, I would have completely missed the confirmation form in my husband’s handwriting.
The telemarketer insisted I had signed up, but as I dug for more details, I realized it was all the Coach’s doing. He had entered us into a timeshare contest while attending Coaching School a month earlier. While we had no plans to invest in a timeshare, he had signed up just as an excuse for a day trip together before football season got busy.
I was initially frustrated—blindsided by a plan I had no knowledge of. But when I finally texted him, his sweet response melted my heart. Instead of the timeshare tour, he had an alternative plan: since we wouldn’t attend the appointment, he wanted me to take the opportunity to drive myself to church. My excitement turned into nervous anticipation.
Sunday Morning: A Lesson in Readiness
Sunday, August 18, 2013
That morning, we prepared for church. I was thrilled to finally attend my new home church, WCC-Houston, after weeks away. But as I watched the clock, I worried we’d be late for Praise and Worship. I casually mentioned that we could just visit a closer church instead.
My husband looked at me and asked, “Babe, don’t you want to go to your church?”
“Of course I do!” I answered without hesitation.
With a knowing smile, he simply said, “Come on then.”
I gathered my things and hopped into the passenger seat, realizing only then that I had just walked into a lesson. As we drove, I noticed he was paying close attention to my reactions while also making sure I observed the route. He was quietly preparing me for the moment when I would have to do this drive alone.
We arrived just five minutes late, warmly greeted by church stewards. The Worship Experience was beautiful, and I was deeply moved watching my husband worship and go down for prayer. That morning’s message by Pastor Dollar was one we both needed to hear.
An Unexpected Detour
After church, I assumed we were heading home. Instead, we pulled into a car dealership. I followed my husband as he browsed vehicles, my heart pounding with excitement. I knew this was it—the search for my first car had begun!
We looked at several options, and one stole my heart: a light blue 2007 Honda CRV. It was almost perfect, but it had a bit more mileage and was slightly over budget. Still, we left the dealership with valuable information and a follow-up appointment.
On our way home, we spotted more dealerships, and the Coach reassured me that we’d check out as many as possible in the coming weeks. That’s when reality hit—I was thrilled but also terrified. Football season was about to start, and soon, I would have to drive myself. My second Texas road test was less than two weeks away, and I hadn’t practiced parallel parking in a month!
But in that moment, I made a decision: I would trust God.
Coming Up Next: The countdown to my driving test, the struggles and victories along the way, and how I finally stepped into independence. Stay tuned!
Final Thoughts: This experience taught me that growth often comes in unexpected ways. Sometimes, the people who love us most see our potential before we do. The journey wasn’t just about getting a car—it was about stepping into the confidence to drive on my own.
Have you ever faced a moment where life nudged you toward independence? Let’s chat in the comments below!
© 2025, Lela Fagan. All rights reserved.
