I had discovered my car had been stolen. It was new, with a pretty powerful engine and it rode very well.

I had bought it to use for my various commitments, but I have to admit, I liked that car very much.

When it was stolen I asked myself what it was that God wanted from me now that I was deprived of my means of transport. To tell the truth, I was surprised by the peace I felt within. I felt no resentment against the unknown person who had taken the car and I wasn’t even worried about the financial problems that it might entail. Everyone was asking me, “What will you do now?” And, my response was always, “I’ll just walk.”

A phrase from the Gospel came to my mind at one point:

“Whoever loves father or mother … more than me, is not worthy of me” (Mt 10:37).

Had I loved that car more than God? I thought: evangelical poverty requires us to use everything without possessing anything.  As time went by, I realized that this could be the way God had chosen to detach me from a thing to which I had given part of my heart; and the peace I felt was a grace that helped me to live those moments well.

Six months later, that car no longer existed for me. Then, one day I received a phone call: “We have found your car! You can come and collect it.” It confirmed for me that what God wanted was this inner detachment that I experienced.

Thanks to the money I had saved on gas and other expenses that a car requires, I was able to meet an unforeseen expense.

Contemplating the infinite fantasy of God who is able to bring good out of evil, I knew I had to convert to his logic.

G. L.

Published with permission from Living City April 2010, the Focolare Movement's monthly magazine of religion, dialogue and culture | www.livingcitymagazine.com