Billy Coffey
Billy Coffey

Warning Lights

September 2, 2009  

It began like most problems do—small and sudden. One a drive down an empty two-lane road with windows open, stereo blaring, and me doing my best Kenny Chesney impersonation. Work was done, home was ahead, and I had raw meat, a hot grill, and a ballgame to look forward to. Yes, life was good.

But then a county police car rounded the curve ahead of me and I spotted the tell-tale radar jutting out from the driver’s side window. And whether you’re doing a hundred or twenty-five, your first reaction when you see such a sight is to slow down and check your speedometer. I did and did.

The good news was that I wasn’t speeding (much).

The bad news was that a red light was glowing on my dashboard.

CHECK ENGINE, it said.

I raised my sunglasses and squinted, hoping that the light was not a light at all. Maybe it was a reflection of the sun or a peculiar shadow. Maybe I was just seeing things.

But I wasn’t.

CHECK ENGINE.

I tapped the glass while keeping an eye on the road, but the light wouldn’t turn off. So I took the next logical step—I put my sunglasses back on, turned Kenny Chesney back up, and kept driving. Not simply so I could watch the road, but because I was trying to convince myself that if I wasn’t looking at the light, it wouldn’t be on.

Not so.

The modern motor vehicle is a technological wonder that can give you detailed information about a myriad of mechanical functions, but it cannot communicate more vaguely than CHECK ENGINE. Those two words of detached brevity can mean anything from a loose gas cap to a blown head gasket to nearly everything in between. So when I got home I paused to unscrew the gas cap, tighten it again, and restart my truck.

CHECK ENGINE.

I opened up a dusty filing cabinet in my head and ran through a list of possible causes: sticky EGR valve, pinched fuel injector, faulty oxygen sensor…

All of which required a trip to the local repair shop, about two hours of my time, and more than a few bucks to diagnose and fix. And even though the guys down at Eavers Tire are great to hang around and talk with, I could think of a few better ways to spend a Saturday morning.

So that’s where things stand as of now. I’m still driving my truck, and it will still clear it’s voice with a low chime and announce CHECK ENGINE every time I turn the ignition. And for the past two days it has even resorted to blinking at me. “Hellloo,” it mimes, “pay attention to me!”

But I don’t. Yesterday I resorted to covering that tiny part of my instrument panel with duct tape so I wouldn’t have to see it anymore. That didn’t work, either. I couldn’t see the light but I still saw the duct tape, and I knew why it was there.

A part of me still thinks the light will go away if I ignore it long enough. I should know better, yes. This isn’t the first time I’ve had to battle warning lights, and not just with my truck. With my life, too.

Like when I find myself choosing to stand in the rain rather than go looking for some sun. Or when my gaze begins to wander down instead of up. When I go for a bit without smiling or a long time without laughing. That’s when I know something’s wrong with my engine.

CHECK HEART, my brain says.

And I should. Really. But I often don’t. That sort of thing would be much like taking my truck into the shop—it would cost too much and take too much time. So I stumble on ignoring the fact that something somewhere inside me has tripped an alarm.

When paying no heed to that warning turns CHECK HEART into CHECKHEARTCHECKHEART, I’ll use a little duct tape on my soul, too. I’ll start thinking that the cure for my blues could be as simple as a movie night or a pint of Starbucks ice cream. Sometimes both.

That never works, though. Because the duct tape I use to cover what’s wrong inside me is much like the duct tape I use to cover what’s wrong inside my truck.

Both peel off eventually.

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Comments

  • Anne L.B.

    Someone said "Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are destined to repeat them."

    How I wish I could say "Not guilty." But I tend to grab a Tylenol / band-aid / "I'm sorry" and ignore the warning until something breaks down.

    Wonder how many of us will take your post to heart, Billy.
    .

  • Bridget Chumbley

    Duct tape is supposed to fix 'ALL' but like you said…it will 'peel off' eventually. A quick/temporary fix is never the answer (though m&m's do help ease the pain)…thanks for another great post, Billy.

  • Candace Jean July 16

    My check engine light was on earlier this week, and now it's off. Funny, I know I didn't do anything to fix it, but it haunts me. Insidious little beast. When will it appear again? Or did its bulb burn out? Yikes.

    Thanks, Billy. (I think).

  • sharilyn

    ah, billy, i've missed your metaphors and wonderful insights! how true this is for me right now as i choose to apply bandaids to wounds that need to be cleaned out and stitched up by a Physician. even bandaids made out of duct tape DO peel off eventually… thanks for the reminder.

    (i'm putting away the ice cream, turning off the computer, and going to my bedroom to journal…)

  • Warren Baldwin

    “Who can discern his errors?” David asked (Ps. 19:12). The he said, "Forgive my hidden faults." Most of us can’t discern our own errors, so we need others to do that for us. That's one reason he gives us a family and church. Folks who know us and love us anyway can be the first guage or red light to tell us we need a heart check.

  • Denise

    Wow,very awe inspiring my friend.

  • Blessed Mom of 8

    AMEN!

    Be still and know that I AM GOD!

    Allow Me to wash away what is bothering you and give your soul the rest it needs.

    Allow Me to carry your burdens.

    I will give you perfect peace as you keep your eyes on Me.

    Blessings today!
    Jill

  • ~*Michelle*~

    ohhhhhhh, I have a box of band-aids myself.

    Problem is…these wounds need to be "aired out" to heal properly and I just keep covering them up….only to find it more infected when I peel back the bandage.

    I needed this today. wow.

  • sherri

    Survival rates are always higher for those who practice early detection/treatment!

  • Gwen Stewart–Singer-Scribe

    Shoot, Billy, the "CHECK HEART" light is on and I was hoping to run away from it today. :)

    No duct tape. No ignoring it. I must apologize for delivery (but not content). Wish I didn't have to apologize at all, but that is not to be.

    God bless you and your wonderful, wise words today.

  • Sarah Salter

    Buddy, that's what we refer to as a "map light." You don't need to ignore it. You can use it. :-)

  • A Simple Country Girl

    When my husband comes home a couple weekends a month, he asks for the honey-do list. I tell him to look for the things held together with baling twine and duct tape. It is amazing how many things we tie and tape, just to get by.

    How many times do I let my warning light come on? Enough to know that black electrician tape works best for hiding those pesky dashboard lights. And enough to know that instead of a Chilton's Manual, I have all I need for my personal repairs in His manual!

  • Kelly Combs

    Do men use Starbucks as heart help too? Wow – I learn so much over here? Mocha Java Chip is my favorite. Ah, but I digress.

    Your post was wonderful, as always. It's very soothing over here…like good ice cream.

  • Shanda

    I praise God for your gift Billy; I sincerely do. This is powerful stuff right here…

    So many times when I post something it is because I am desiring for it to sink more fully into my own life and soul. By writing, it helps to do that as well as allowing God to speak what He is teaching me to others.

    But occasionally, I find that I "write and release" (similar to fishing, I have caught a concept or truth; but then I write about it and it is as if I toss the truth back overboard instead of letting it impact my own life.) Then God has to get my attention anew to get His messages through to my heart and soul.

    I am actually taking a break from blogging for awhile. (I will most likely still read and comment here and there; just not as consistently.) I have been sensing my "check engine" light glowing beneath the duct tape in some ways as well as just desiring to be still in His presence and be renewed. So, I'll be "in the shop" so to speak for awhile. Very timely post for me.

    God's richest blessings upon you!

  • RunningH2O

    Well, duct tape may hold a Nascar radiator in place at 170 mph, but amazingly enough God has a way of making us see that just because we THINK we have an answer for something…… Maybe sometimes we just have to suck it up and admit we don't have all the answers. Have fun at the repair shop….. And tell Cletus to make sure he cleans the windows!

  • April

    I'm completely blown away, Billy! I could lose myself in your writing all day long.

  • katdish

    The message of the story is not lost on me, don't get me wrong…

    But did you seriously put duct tape over the check engine light?

    Dude…

  • Tina

    cool …… pondering

    you always give me something to think about

    thanks

  • FaithBarista Bonnie

    Billy, this post was written for me, wasn't it? .. I had ignored mine for so long, it was not a pretty picture when I finally rolled it in for service at Jesus' heart shop. Good thing he knew just what to do. And even paid for it Himself!

    Can you tell? I lUV'd today's post. Gonna email it to my friends.

    Pssssttt.. Katdish! I was thinking the same thing. I didn't peg Billy as a guy who'd let duct tape touch his ride!

  • Helen

    Very thought provoking, Billy.

    And don't listen to katdish. My daddy used duct tape to fix lots of things, including leaky pipes! I've done the same thing myself! ALL HAIL, DUCT TAPE! Okay. That may be just a bit over the top…

  • Billy Coffey

    Thank you, Helen. What did MacGuyver always carry besides a swiss army knife? A roll of duct tape. 'Nuff said.

  • Mich

    I tend to be an "ignore it" kind of person sometimes too. I loved your post and the wisdom it held.

    I've ignored that "check engine" light before and ended up having to have a new engine.

  • Anne L.B.

    May I please chime in here for WD-40?

    If it moves and shouldn't use duct tape. If it should move and won't, use WD-40.

    The Swiss army knife is a given. Just remember to take it out of your purse before going through security check-points.
    .

  • lakeviewer

    This is a powerful post. I shall return.

  • lynnrush

    Whoa. You nailed this, Billy! Check heart. Nice.

    Yes, eventually the tape will peel off, and even more so, the engine might "seize." Why wait for that point, huh?

    Check heart.
    Thanks, Billy!

  • jasonS

    Excellent post- so true. Have to take that spiritual and emotional inventory because it will cause all kinds of problems if neglected…

  • Beth

    My check engine light has been on for a few months…but it's probably because we switched out the engine… (And by "we" I mean my husband and his father.)
    :)

    I do like the check heart idea, too. Sometimes the tendency is strong to go and go and go and finally blow up rather than take care of things as they happen.

  • Joanne Sher

    YES. I definitely need to "check heart" – "check motives" – "check ___"

    So powerful. Glad I made it over today.

  • Heart2Heart

    Billy,

    Great blog post today and how you tied the two together. I am very much the same whenever that old check engine light comes on. My first impulse after panic fades away is to turn the car off and on like you did, crossing your fingers, lifting your head to the heavens and whispering a prayer to God and turn the key.

    Don't you just hate it when the light is still there!

    I agree with you that God often uses that same calling within our hearts and as much as we try and run away, He always finds a way to get the message across.

    Here is hoping that is just a faulty light on your "Check Engine" icon!

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

  • Rebecca on The Homefront

    Billy, I'm as much a fan of duct tape as the next redneck (have a roll sitting on the counter, as a matter of fact)…but you do realize MacGuyver didn't just stick it on to cover a light, right? Get thee to Eavers and work on that thang!

    Wonderful message, by the way. I'm guilty of the procrastination and hoping things go away or get better. Somehow they tend not to without a little work.

  • Lori Laws

    "They both peel off anyway"…excellent. Love your metaphors! Great writing:)

  • Daveda

    Yep. a lot of the time, well…all the time, I can't even diagnose what is wrong with me. I really need to go to the mechanic of my heart and let Him diagnose and fix my problem. Great post Billy, as usual :)

  • Jo@Mylestones

    Great analogy.
    I'm tempted to turn this into a rant about how the check engine light in our 99 truck comes on for NO REASON, but I'll spare you the sob story on all the ill-fated repair attempts, and just say…
    I hope my heart (assuming I follow through and check it!) isn't as stubborn as that blasted check engine light. :-)

  • Linda

    Great analogy! Growing up with 3 brothers, I've some things about cars.
    Applying to life is more difficult. Meddling, meddling!

  • Jennifer

    With cars, I'm apt to pull over and stop completely with a Check Engine light…until my husband tells me to keep driving to get home. But with my heart, it's the opposite–I'll keep driving until my husband tells me to pull over.

  • Terri Tiffany

    How on earth did you get such a great analogy? Loved it again!

  • Tina Dee Books

    Great reminder. Love that analogy. Needed to hear it, and look at what is in need of me acknowledging and getting it to the One who can fix it. Thank you for great insights. Missed being here last couple/few weeks, so I have a few posts to catch up on reading.

    That'll be a fun way to spend a little time tomorrow! Lord bless you & your family's weekend!

  • Stacey

    Ouch. I definitely use movies (and books) as my duct tape, hoping they might distract me from the problems that are underneath. But yes, even though we try to cover them up, they're still there, and most of the time better dealt with sooner rather than later.
    Love the post!

  • Caroline

    Been away for a bit and missed your postings.
    "when I find myself choosing to stand in the rain rather than go looking for some sun" I have done that a lot lately but slowly waking up and turning my face towards that sun, all by His grace.
    Thank you… so true and goes right to the core as you are so good at.