#10 Sonata

2025 (28AD)

A sonata is a composition for an instrumental soloist. My daughter who is a music teacher taught me that, when I shared the following story with her. Sonata is also a vehicle model, and a word I had not heard until last week, when God spoke it to me in the night.

It has been an unusual week. On top of my full-time job, and family responsibilities, three unexpected events have woven in and out of my days - the purchase of a new car, advocating for my Dad’s medical care, and God’s closeness.

On Saturday, I decided to go car shopping on my own and test drive some vehicles for the first time. I have been putting off buying a new car because I am very happy with my current vehicle, but my husband’s insistence finally moved me to act. I test drove two vehicles, but neither particularly felt right in my spirit. I was keen for a quick decision, so I was a little disheartened.

Later that afternoon, I received a call from Dad’s aged care facility; he had taken a fall and an ambulance had been called to take him to the hospital for precautionary tests. Late Saturday night, his aged care facility called again to say Dad was back from hospital, all cleared with only bruises.

The following day, I visited Dad and brought him to my home for lunch. Something was not right though; he was very reluctant to walk. Advanced dementia is difficult to work with because of the lost communication, but I suspected he had a fracture, although the hospital had cleared him. Sunday evening as I went to bed, I had Dad and my car shopping on my mind, so I asked God for help with both.

After midnight, I was awoken with a clear word, 'moving onto a sonata'. I sharpened my focus to the message and asked for a repeat, I heard the word again, 'moving onto a sonata'. I had not heard the word sonata before but I hoped it was a car name. I often ask God questions as I go to sleep and presume His answer will present itself over time. Occasionally He is immediately direct through my dreams. I took note of the word and went back to sleep.

Monday morning as I was getting ready for work, I opened a popular car sales website, entered 'sonata' and discovered it was a Hyundai vehicle! I noted the new ones were priced above my budget, but there was a dealer test drive vehicle priced $7500 less than the new vehicles!! I sent an enquiry to the dealership and received an immediate response from their AI bot. "Do you want to test drive this vehicle? What time do you want to come in today?" I responded, "Yes, but not today." It was Monday, so Saturday was likely my next free day to drive the 70 mins to the dealership. I put it out of my mind.

That afternoon, I received a call that Dad had taken another fall and was being readmitted to hospital with a suspected hip fracture. He was delivered to a different hospital this time, direct to a hip fracture specialist. I would await further information.

That evening as I sat on the couch at home, I felt the Lord envelop me and say, “Pick up.” I knew in my heart it was a call to pick up my attention, my response, stay alert. During pivotal or pressing times, God's Spirit often provides me a prompt advising of imminent change.

I went to bed shortly after, and was later awoken by the phone ringing. A hospital night doctor called to confirm Dad had a fractured hip and fluid on the lungs. I shared with the doctor I believed it had been fractured when they released him two days previously, despite the other hospital saying he was fine. With this news I figured Dad would be in hospital for some time.

The next day, Tuesday, we had a teacher strike. As I was preparing to go into town for the march, I received another message from the dealership AI bot asking what time I wanted to test drive the vehicle today. Persistent bot. After a chat with my husband about all things cars I decided I would pursue the lead I believed God had sent me. The march was struck from my plans, and I headed to the dealership. This type of coincidence, having the day off immediately after God spoke Sonata to me, was typical of God's timing, so I was curious to explore. Also, the dealership was past the hospital so I could visit Dad on the way home.

When I arrived at the dealership, the salesperson advised that the Sonata was already out on a test drive. To fill in time, she took me to look over a brand-new Sonata. Long story short, I took the new vehicle for a drive and loved it. It ticked every box in my mind and more. However I advised the salesperson I would be keen to look at the test vehicle because it was within my budget; I was unwilling to budge on my finance plan.

The salesperson advised me that sports car test vehicles are not such a good buy because drivers tend to 'thrash' the engines. In short, I ended up with a huge discount and the brand new vehicle to fit my budget. Amazing, my first new car, only 8km on the clock, the 8 km I drove it. Also satisfying firsts - I had chosen a car on my own, and viewed, test driven and negotiated on my own. But I wasn’t really on my own, God’s presence had given me all the confidence, conviction and clarity of mind I needed.

In among the negotiations, the hospital called to say they were releasing Dad again. I was not keen on that plan, given he had fallen twice in three days, and he had a fractured hip along with other issues. The release administrator went through his health plan without mention of the fluid on the lungs. It was not in his chart. I could not believe they were releasing him. Instead of visiting Dad in hospital on the way home, I went to his aged care home ahead of him, to clarify the health plan and how they were going to manage it.

It is not easy to keep a dementia patient in a bed, given he does not remember he has a fracture. Plus, I was concerned about the fluid on the lungs which had disappeared from his chart, and wanted his care facility to know this piece of information. The care facility assured me they had his health in hand.

Once I was home, the aged care facility called me to advise Dad had arrived home early evening and he seemed stable and content. I then started making calls to obtain a number of quotes from leasing companies to finalise my car purchase.

The next afternoon, Wednesday, the aged care facility called again to say they were returning Dad to the hospital because he was requiring oxygen. Third hospital admission in four days. I planned to visit Dad that night, but was house bound completing lease paperwork (another first, leasing).

Thursday, I took the morning off work to see Dad in the hospital, to plead his case to remain there. I was fortunate to arrive as the doctor was doing her rounds. She explained extensively the complexities they had discovered, agreeing the fracture occurred in the first fall. Dad would remain in hospital for several days until his health had stabilised, then he would be moved home to his aged care facility where he could receive closer observation and support. It would be a difficult road ahead for Dad but God will continue to sustain us.

And with all this going on for Dad, I was curious that we (God and I) had decided this was the week to purchase a vehicle. But God always knows best, guiding me one day at a time. The week continues to unfold, and all I feel is gratitude and peace. I know that whatever the future holds, God will be holding us.

I gave my life to this unnamed God 28 years ago (see Rebirth Part 1), and 18 months later realised Him to be the Triune God of the Christian faith (see Rebirth Part 2). I decided from the initial start, once I knew there was a sovereign, loving, relational God overseeing all His creation, that I would not make any major moves without hearing from Him. Why walk blind when I can be led by the most powerful source of love and wisdom? I had blindly led my own life for 25 years, like a solo instrumentalist, and made too many mistakes, I was not going back. There was far more joy, adventure and growth in the grandeur of life's orchestra conducted by Christ.

Since accepting God into my life, I have tried to keep my hand in His and to seek his face and Word in my daily life. And He has not let me down, providing life, healing, and safety beyond what I ever imagined for myself. God is for all of us. We are each created in His image, for relationship with Him, for His purpose. Yet so many people are sadly, estranged from His love and guidance.

In the words of Charles Spurgeon, God knows your case as thoroughly as if you were the only creature he ever made, or the only saint he ever loved. Approach him and be at peace.

God’s Word

1 John 4:19

We love him, because he first loved us.

John 1:12-13

But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God's children, to those who believe in his name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

1 Corinthians 2:9

But as it is written, “Things which an eye didn’t see, and an ear didn’t hear, which didn’t enter into the heart of man, these God has prepared for those who love him.”

John 15:1-11

[Jesus said,]“I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer. Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 

If a man doesn’t remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.

“In this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples. Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full.