What Cars Taught Me About Life

It’s funny how cars and people can be so much alike.

Recently, I got a new (different, since it is used) car and I absolutely love it.  Not that my car that I had for nine years was terrible, it was just that it was time for a new car.  The little red coupe that I have is actually older than my Sebring, but has half as many miles and is in better shape.  Why is that?

-It was driven less

-It was kept out of bad weather

-They kept up on the maintenance

-They avoided bad situations in the car

The truth of the matter is that as soon as a car is driven off the lot, it depreciates.  Whether it is the weather, wear and tear, or accidents, the car will always decline and need maintenance.  If you want to keep the car in its best shape, you will do what is best for the car.

I know a decent amount of people who do exactly that.  However, I know a lot more people that don’t do that.  Even worse, I find that people do not take care of themselves.  So lets think about this.

As soon as (the car/I) am (Driven off the lot/born) (the car/I) am deteriorating.

Do I keep up on (the oil changes/rest)?

Do I put in good quality (gas/food) into my (car/body)?

Do I avoid (pot holes/unnecessary conflict)?

Do I keep (my car/myself) out of (bad weather/unhealthy friendships and relationships)?

When (my car/I) am(is) (broken/sick or hurt) do I get it checked out?

Do I let (dirt/tasks) build up to the point it is too hard to take care of?

Do I (drive/work) too much and put excessive (miles/work hours) on (my car/my life)

I’m I too aggressive and not careful when I (drive/with my feelings and other people’s feelings)

I could probably go on for a while, but this is just something that I was thinking about. 

These past six months have been a total blur because I feel as if there is never enough time in the day to get everything done.  I am doing my absolute best to take care of myself, I fail at it at times, but I am doing my best.  So what I am trying to do is…

- Block off three or four times a week to lift weights, swim, and bike

- Stop doing school work at 10 or 11pm if I am not working my other job and go to bed

- Limit the shifts at my other job

- Pack lunches the night before, and only buy lunch once a week

- Give my free time to people who won’t abuse it or become toxic

- Budget grocery money for fresh produce and meats

- Read my Bible/Commentaries before I go to bed at night (Mornings are terrible for me with my medical issue)

So these are a few examples of ways that I am trying to “keep the tread on my tires” and not let wear and tear get the best of me.

Jesus says that our body is a temple, and I want to make sure that the temple (which is his property) is taken care of properly.  One day he will ask me, “how did you take care of what I have given you”, and I hope that both my answer and his response will be positive ones.  In essence, whether it is a car or my body, I am called to take care of it… and I am going to do my best to do that.