Christmas is coming,
It’s just a few weeks away!
Are you leaving town,
Or at home will you stay?
No matter your plans
To travel near or far,
It’s important in winter
To have a healthy car.
So today I will share
A happy tune with you.
A snappy little poem
Of what you should do.
Preparing for winter driving
Is not always fun.
Days are much shorter
With fewer hours of sun.
Pay attention to things
That hinder your vision,
So that you and others
Don’t have a collision.
Replace burnt-out bulbs
And faulty wiper blades,
So you can see best
When the sunshine fades.
Headlight lenses get hazy
And dull with time.
It becomes hard to see
Through all of that grime.
Headlight Restoration
Will buff them like new.
They’ll become clear
And improve your view!
What about your heat
Does it blow nice and warm?
To keep you all toasty
During a winter storm?
Your comfort is important
But that is not all ...
Defrosting is needed
When you get past the fall.
Then there are fluids
That keep your car running best;
Many people get oil changes
But forget all the rest.
Fluids protect
Many systems in your car.
Do you know all
The vehicle fluids there are?
Power steering, transmission,
And coolant too ...
These fluids need replacement
So gunk doesn’t accrue.
Clean fluids are key
To keep your car a long while;
Saving money in the long run
And making you smile.
With the cold days of winter
It’s important to know
If your battery is new
Or replaced years ago.
Four years is average
When replacement is due.
Perhaps now is the time
To purchase one new?
What about corrosion
And battery connections?
Have you checked these
For best winter protection?
You can DIY this service
All on your own,
Or leave it to professionals
And pick up the phone.
No matter the model,
No matter the make
It’s important to remember
To service your brakes
With the slippery roads
And motorists a many
You’ll be relying on
Your braking system for plenty
Brakes include more
Than rotors and pads;
Though these are the only things
Mentioned in ads.
Coupon specials are designed
To get you in the door.
But a brake inspection is wise
To assess what is worn.
Replacing bad brake fluid
Is an absolute must!
Brake lines can leak
From corrosion and rust.
Then there are calipers
That sometimes seize;
And may start to act up
When it starts to freeze.
Maybe your brakes are safe,
But there is more ...
Do you shake, bounce or shimmy—
Is your suspension worn?
The parts of this system
Can get rusty and break;
Terrible things can then happen,
A bad day will it make!
Not only that,
These parts are safety concerns!
They could cause many troubles,
Especially on turns.
So don’t let this happen
Now or any time.
Your life is important
And so is mine.
Therefore remember
When you are driving about
There are so many others
That are also en route.
Your decisions
Of timely repairs affect you
But have you considered
How they affect others too?
Now let’s talk tires,
Is your tread depth good?
Are they performing as safe
And as sound as they should?
New tires may be needed
Based on their wear;
Have you considered
All of the options out there?
Perhaps they are good
For the milder weather.
But with more snow to come,
Winter ones may be better.
If your tires are safe
For the wintery conditions,
Next, you should consider
Your tire’s positions.
As you go over bumps
And you drive to and fro,
Adjustments may be needed
With camber, caster or toe.
Proper alignment is essential
For the life of your tires;
But also for the stability
That your vehicle requires.
When is the last time
Your alignment was checked;
To ensure all of the angles
Are in spec and correct?
This should be done
At the least once a year
To keep you rolling straight
Without any fear.
Once you’ve taken care
Of known safety concerns,
Automotive repairs needed
Are next in turn.
Your car is important—
You rely on it a great deal
To get to work or to home
Or to go get a meal.
What needs fixing today
So you’ll have a trusty ride?
Does it run really rough—
sounding like it might die?
Are there warning lights on—
Do they stay solid or flash?
Relay to your mechanic
What you see on your dash.
There are spark plugs,
Cat converters and alternators,
Coil springs, fuel pumps,
Starters and radiators.
Or perhaps you need an engine
Or transmission today ...
These are things that Santa
Won’t deliver on his sleigh!
As we approach Christmas,
A great gift to bestow
Is to keep everyone safe
As you drive in the snow.
This can happen better
With timely repairs,
Letting everyone know
That you really do care.
These are the tips
I’ve prepared just for you
I realize that there are
More than a few!
Bear with me a moment -
There’s just a bit more ...
You won’t want to miss,
What I have in store
So here goes—
The great part of my rhyme
Sharing with you,
The Best News of all time!
Jesus Christ, the Son of God
Came to this earth,
So that you and I
Could find our true worth.
Our worth is not in
How attractive we are;
Or if we drive an expensive
Or fancy car.
Our worth is not in
Our worldly possessions;
Or what we do here
For our earthly profession.
Our worth is not in
Our likes on Facebook;
Or what others think
Of how we might look
Our worth is not found
In our big friend’s list;
Or even in how many
People we’ve kissed.
Our worth is not in
The works we complete;
Or in the trophies we earn,
As we compete.
Our worth is not in
Our advanced education;
Or where we might go
When have a vacation.
Our worth comes only
From our God above—
It comes from all
His unconditional love!
He sent Jesus here
To die for our sins,
So that if we believe
We surely will win.
We win!
For we are free of our past!
We are made new—
If only we ask.
Then we can live—
With Jesus Christ;
Free of our sins,
From His sacrifice.
Our worth comes then
From what’s in our heart—
Jesus is there
And He’ll set us apart.
We will yearn to obey
All of His commands;
And serve like Him,
With our hearts and our hands.
But there’s more ...
As a believer I want you to know
You will have trouble
But in good ways, you will grow.
You’ll also have life
Eternally in heaven.
Of this, God says,
There is no question!
I hope in this season,
You’ll reflect on all of this,
For a life lived in Jesus
Is full of much bliss!
If you don’t believe
Or want to hear more,
Come to the Civic Center
And open the door!
For that is where
Eagle Brook church meets—
And you can hear God’s word
From any seat!
I’ll be there Sunday
With a smile on my face;
Please come with your family
God is in that place!