Car designers are just going to have to come up with an automobile that outlasts the payments.
Erma Bombeck
This past weekend was bittersweet as I said goodbye to an old friend. He was with me through thick and thin, even if he did complain a good bit. I can’t say that I blame him. It’s been a tough road on many occasions, and he has broken down a few times. Still, it was time for me to move on and for him to step back. After all, it had been 308,000 miles and change. A Buick can only last so long even under the best of circumstances.
For once, the car designers did good because I bought my 2005 Buick Century in 2005, and it was still running when I retired it after 16 years. I am hoping my newer Buick can follow in Silver’s tire treads. Thinking about our time together, the last few years were a little tough as Silver was not as reliable as he used to be, so I started what I like to call Carport Prayers.
It didn’t start out as a habit, more of a plea born out of desperation on some days. I would pray over the car, me , the fur babies, and the house. At the time, that was all the prayer I could muster. Although, they do say the most honest prayer is Lord, help. It is direct, to the point, and covers a lot of ground. When I started this habit, it was all I could manage.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
However, there is something wonderful that happens the more you pray. Eventually, you add a prayer request you heard at church or a friend on social media. At first it is just while you are idling under the carport, but eventually, you find yourself talking to God during the drive. Sometimes my prayers lacked a loving spirit as a car nearly ran me off the road or nearly took off the front of my car in their hurry to get who knows where, but then it would become a prayer of gratitude that it was “nearly” and not reality.
I bought a new car, still to be named, and by new I mean new to me. It’s a shiny red and comes with lots of bells and whistles. I must confess I get in the car with a lot less fear and trepidation, so much so that I realized I was forgetting my carport prayers. So, this morning I made a point of returning to my habit because if I want this car to outlast its payments and compete with Silver for most miles completed, then it’s going to need those prayers started early on so that you can raise them right.
Pray without ceasing.
I Thessalonians 5:17
So, here is a salute to Silver and a prayer of thankfulness for both the old and new. You might want to try carport prayers, or garage prayers, driveway prayers, or even parking lot prayers. Because wherever you are, God is there and ready with a listening ear. Plus, given the state of driving these days, it doesn’t hurt to get a head start on praying before you hit the road. It might keep you from losing your religion in road rage, and it just makes for a pleasanter commute.