Last week when I was traveling back to Atlanta from Orlando one the vans, the one with most of the children had a tire with low pressure. We added air in Orlando before we started up the road, but as we made our way into the middle of Georgia, we noticed that tire was losing air again. I was traveling in the middle van of the van sandwich and called up to the lead vehicle informing them that the tire was a little bit low. We were only 20 miles from our scheduled stop and so we attempted to make it to exit in the peanutty town of Perry. But before we could get there, the tire decided it must not like peanuts and scattered itself all across the interstate.
After pulling to the side, and assessing the situation, we loaded the children safely in the other vans and the two guys from that van stayed to change the tire. Did, I mention the tire was on the driver’s side, and so changing in on a 3 lane interstate with semi trucks traveling by at 7 gabillioin miles a hour is no fun.
As we sat eating Chick-Fil-a we received two calls from the guys in the Van. The first one to say they were complete and coming to meet us, the second one, moments later saying that they were not going anywhere and the van had a serious issue, and that the spare was now flat as well!!!
What in the world? Well, after a tow to the local dealership, we discovered that the tire had been placed on backwards. Can you even do that? Yes and because of that a whole lot of damge was done to the area around the wheel well, you know – brakes lines, brake assemblies etc.. Before you start laughing, did, I mention the tire was on the driver’s side, and so changing in on a 3 lane interstate with semi trucks traveling by at 7 gabillioin miles a hour is no fun. 🙂
The guys felt terrible, they were tired, they were distracted, they were focused on other things. Both of these guys knew how to change a tire, but when you are not paying attention – bad things can happen.
You ever have a day like that?
Oh yes, we all do, and that is why we see warnings like these in Philippians.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9, New International Version)
We know that when we dwell on the proper things, good things – like peace happen, but when we are distracted by the screaming trucks of life, we just can get things all messed up.
Even today, I started this blog, and then lost my focus and almost completely forgot to complete it. So today, stay focused and pay attention to where you mind is dwelling.