A Better Way

By Bob Kaku 

Changing motor oil has never been a problem for me—or so I thought. 

When my wife’s new Acura Integra needed an oil change, I threw on some old clothes and grabbed my toolbox. I eased the car out of the garage and took it for a spin around the neighborhood to warm the engine. After returning, I parked the car in front of our house. I jacked it up and placed the jack stands under its frame and crawled underneath.

I clamped the socket wrench onto the drain plug and loosened it. The oil gushed into the catch pan and drained out. After I retightened the plug, I reached behind the engine block to find the oil filter. Yeow! The engine was hot to the touch.

Although I had a fancy filter wrench with a swivel handle, I couldn’t get a firm grasp on the filter. The wrench kept sliding around the filter. I pivoted the handle up and down and every which way but still couldn’t get a grip.

“Arrgh!” An hour passed and the sun started to set.

Maybe I should pour the oil back into the engine and take the car to a service station.
Some dust and grass particles blew into the pan. “Oh, no!” I couldn’t pour the contaminated oil back in.

What should I do?

In a fit of desperation, I prayed. “Jesus, I just can’t get this filter off. Please help me!”

I crawled out from underneath the car and went into the house to get a drink of water. On my way back through the garage, my eyes locked on to an old filter wrench hanging on the tool rack. It was an inexpensive model with a straight handle. I had thought about throwing it away.

A quiet, inner voice said, “Use the other wrench.”

No, that won’t work. The handle doesn’t even swivel.

The sky began to grow even darker. Maybe I should give it a try. I have nothing to lose.

I crawled under the car again and clamped the old wrench onto the filter. To my utter amazement, it loosened immediately.

Was that You, Lord?
 
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5–6 NKJV)

~Bob Kaku

An excerpt from the book Popcorn Miracles® by Bob and Gail Kaku. Used by permission.

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