Life can be a lot like driving a vehicle. You have a destination in mind, plan out your route, and engage the gears to get there., obeying the laws of the road along the way. You hope there’s no accidents to delay you or cause injury and do your best to keep the vehicle maintained in good shape. You also find there are times when one vehicle needs to be replaced by a different one, perhaps due to a new career, getting married and having children, or just trying something new.

Imagine traveling down the highway and one of your tires goes flat. Like life’s little obstacles, you gradually pull over until you’re in a safe spot. You get out and survey the damage. If it’s just gone flat and you have an inflation device–(standard issue in my vehicles)–you pump the tire back up and go on your way. If there’s a serious flat, you go through the mechanics of finding the car jack and tire iron, jacking up the vehicle safely, removing the lug nuts and tire, putting on the spare and tightening the nuts.

Then you get in, buckle up, and go on your way. Far too many of us, though,, have a hard time even finding the jack or the spare tire. Yes, Virginia, every vehicle should be equipped with a spare tire. The result is calling emergency road services and waiting for the tow truck operator to arrive and solve your problem.

Either way, life goes on.

What’s the lesson? To operate safely and efficiently, your vehicle should be maintained properly. Check the oil whenever you gas up. Rotate tires when recommended. Keep it clean and obey the rules of the road. A personal irk: Use your turn signals.

The same holds true for your life. Take care of yourself. Be smart and avoid being foolish (especially when driving). Take care of your possessions. Love your life and be open to the love of others. Forgive. Enjoy what you have. Know you are a child of God and continue to seek the course in life that has been prepared for you.