New Cars

Just the other day, as I was leaving Market Street with a few items for dinner I noticed out of the corner of my eye a really sweet looking Corvette.  I have always loved Corvettes for as long as I can remember.  There was something special about this Corvette; it was not like any other Corvette I had ever seen.  As it came closer I discovered why it was so unique.  It turned out to be a Ferrari.  As it drove passed me I also noticed that it was a new Ferrari that still had the Buyer Tags. 

I had two thoughts about this car; one why would you come shopping in a Ferrari and two where is he going to park that car?  I watched for a minute or so as the driver drove up and down the rows of parking places looking for the one spot on the parking lot where his new car would not be touched or damaged.  I do give him credit for shopping at Market Street where the Sackers carry out your groceries and push the carts back and forth.  As far as being in danger of a runaway shopping cart he had chosen wisely.  Just as I expected, the driver did the same thing that I do when I am parking a new car in a parking lot.  He parked as far away from other cars as possible.  The chances of anyone parking that far away were pretty remote. 

I know that I and the Ferrari owner are not the only two people who do that type of thing with new cars.  As a matter of fact, most of us seem to take care of our new possessions.  You and I go to great lengths to make sure that those things that are important to us are protected.  I can remember when I was in grade school I would get a new pair of tennis shoes and they would be all nice and white.  (For the younger crowd you need to know that there was once a time when all athletic shoes were either white or black and they came in two styles; low cut or high tops.)  Anyway, I can remember trying to protect my new shoes and for the most part I was successful until I arrived at my school where I would be greeted by my friends who would then proceed to place their shoe on top of mine and in an instant my shoes were broken in and I could be off the races.

It is similar with our “new cars”  most of us seem to go to great lengths to protect our cars until the “new” wears off and then we will once again look for those parking places which are closest to the front door of the store.   One ding on a door and you are good to park anywhere you want.

This causes me to wonder about how careful we are in life with the truly important things of life.  How careful are you with your marriages?  Do you protect your marriage from danger? Or are you careless with your relationships by putting yourself in circumstances that could cause great harm or damage to your most precious relationship.  How careful are you with children?  Sometimes we go to great lengths to keep them physically safe and then we are careless with video games, movies, music and friendships. How careful are you with …you?  Do you take care of yourself spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally?  Do you do things to help you grow in those areas? 

Life is precious and it is short.  You and I need to do our best to keep those things that are truly valuable safe.  For those who are wondering where to start the process of improving your safety, let me suggest starting with Jesus.  The safest place I know is in the arms of Jesus.

Love God.  Go Love Others.