Today I had to spend a little over 400 dollars for the 90k
mile major service that my Honda mechanic recommended for my 2007 Accord. To be quite honest I have driven two
different Honda Civics for 545,000 miles and 447,000 miles respectively so you
may say I know a little about keeping a car running! That is partly true and the other truth is
the fact I have excellent mechanics and excellent car shop (Barnhill
Automotive, Tommy and Ryan). Each one of
my Civics had about 50k on it when I bought them but either way that is some
serious mileage given my commute from Columbia to Charleston five days a
week. I am writing on the topic of “maintenance”
because we have to maintain what we have in order to keep what we have. That is true for cars, heating and A/C units,
plumbing, hearts, and overall health.
What we don’t maintain is subject to even greater deterioration without
routine and many times expensive care. I
also want to say that we have to maintain our soul and spiritual life. Taking care of our souls is hard work. It requires reading, prayer, meditations,
charity and gift giving, unconditional love, and extending hospitality to name
a few. We need spiritual practices to
keep our spiritual hearts and souls maintained.
When we do we will generally have more peace, fewer “roadside
breakdowns,” and a greater sense of purpose and mission each day. In the routines of maintenance we make
friends, strengthen relationships and grow spiritually stronger. Maintenance makes our bodies, souls and even
cars ready for the challenges of everyday life.
Thank God for good car mechanics and thank God that we have life to do “routine
maintenance” so that we can faithfully run the race of life.
Dear God: Help me to maintain all that I have that is good and thank you for all of the good gifts of life! Amen.
