Aren’t you glad there isn’t a Carfax for us?

So let’s have a little fun with this one.

I don’t mind poking at myself, so here we go:

The Carfax for Chris Grainger

Year: 1981
Make: Somewhere between Ford and John Deere
Model: Southern, by the grace of God

Accident History:
– Too many bumps and bruises to mention
– One broken wrist (1996)
– Side-by-side rolled over him (2005)
– Total loss: Ram truck into a grove of trees (2016)
– Nearly let a tree take off his right foot (2025)

Title Information:
Salvage title — non-OEM hardware was installed. It’s since been removed, but it definitely affected handling on the right side.

Mileage & Odometer Readings:
Plainly stated: rode hard, put up wet, and far too often left out in the rain.

Service & Maintenance Records:
Highly neglected for the first 30 years.
Since 2012, maintenance happens more regularly—sometimes without adequate recovery time.
Runs best on peanut M&M’s.

Vehicle Condition Indicators:
– Spare tire is a little bigger than necessary
– Radio rotates between Skynyrd, Dad Jokes, and Mac Powell
– Accelerates much faster when pursuing Miss Rebekah
– Performs best when spending time with his kids

Market Value:
Unknown… but probably not much.

Now—any sane person on the planet would read this report and immediately (and understandably) say, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

And I wouldn’t blame them. I know me. I see the flaws, the mistakes, the insecurities—and if I were in your shoes, I’d probably keep on walking too.

But God…

Those two words change everything.

You see, God looks at my completely jacked-up Carfax and doesn’t just say, “I’ll take it.”
He chooses to pay full price.

That’s the beauty of the Gospel. It isn’t dependent on our performance—it rests fully on the grace poured out when Jesus paid the penalty on the cross.

He chooses us when we choose Him.
He doesn’t discount the price.
And He gives us full access to His Kingdom.

That should make our minds explode.

So here’s the challenge: run your own Carfax today—and be honest. Let the truth come out. Then look at that report and hear God say, “I’ll take it.”

That’s freedom.
That’s peace that passes understanding.
And if you ask me—that’s unleashing the Lion Within.

Now… where are those M&M’s?