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What is a Vehicle Service Contract?

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A vehicle service contract is a basic agreement that covers any expenses for parts and other service products needed in order to repair a car. It is also known as the extended warranty with some dealers, so basically, it is an insurance for every part of your car in case it breaks under normal use.

You can also find the name vehicle service contract as part of the contract you sign when you purchase an extended warranty for your car. The vehicle service contract is not mandatory under the law of any of the states and you are not obliged to have such insurance plan, but in many cases it’s a smart choice.

The auto service contract includes a list of all the services and parts that the contract covers for you and your car, so, if you have any problems with benefiting from the warranty you paid for you just have to make sure that part (or service) is included in the list. If it is not listed, you are not entitled to the money for it to be fixed.

Usually, the vehicle service contract is signed for one year, but if you think that you will need to use the services for more time, you can also sign the vehicles service contract for two or maybe even three years, depending on the car you own. Of course, you will probably be required to pay the entire amount up front, but if you are good at negotiating, you can also pay in installments during the next couple of months after the contract is validated.

As a last detail that you would probably be interested in regarding the vehicle service contract we can say that older cars can’t benefit from this, or generally pay more than newer ones.

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Source by Jeremy Davis

Car Buying Tips: Why Does It Make Sense to Buy a Discontinued Car Model?

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Often while planning to purchase a car, the right model and the car manufacturing brand become the key deciding factor. Many a times, the research proves to be outdated as some car models become discontinue.

When a car manufacturer stops producing a model because of a number of reasons, it is called a discontinued car model. However, the benefits of buying a discontinued car model outweigh the risks. Buying a car which is no longer in showrooms can mean greater savings. If you are planning to purchase a car, the following points will help you to comprehend why it makes sense to buy a discontinued car model.

1) Discounted Purchase Price

It will have a significantly lower price than a brand new car. One of the benefits of purchasing it is that you get a new car for the price of a used car. As a buyer, you are in a good position to get a favorable deal for a discontinued car model. The dealer needs to move inventory to create space for new cars in demand. Therefore, it becomes easy to negotiate a price that suits your wallet.

2) Shared Spare Parts

Many car buyers hesitate to purchase it due to the potential risk of unavailability of spare parts in the future. You can minimize the risk as many car manufacturers continue producing car parts long after they stop manufacturing a car. Additionally, you can transfer many spare parts of current models to the discontinued model. While purchasing from the manufacturer can become expensive, you can find shared spare parts easily. Thus, if the car requires repairing in the future, you can mend it without any tension.

3) Wide Choice of Selection

It comes at a relatively cheaper price than a new car. The value for money received from buying a discontinued model significantly increases due to cheap pricing. The money spent on purchasing a new car can mean compromising on a few features. However, purchasing it can aid you to step up your choice of selecting a better car. Therefore, you can avail a pool of upgraded features for a lower price.

4) Warranty Period

When you purchase a recently discontinued model, chances are that you eligible for warranty. During the warranty period, the servicing and maintenance of car parts are the responsibility of the original car manufacturer. Many manufacturers produce parts in high volumes to cover the entire warranty period. Thus, you will be able to repair it easily, until it falls under the warranty period. And, a mechanic or an expert can attend to any defect after the warranty period is over.

Purchasing it may bring some risks with it. However, there are many benefits of buying such a car. It can be a lucrative deal for a car buyer looking to make an affordable purchase. So, next time when you want to buy a car, consider a discontinued car model.

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Source by Rock Watson

A Car When You Need It – The Best Used Cars

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A used car is always a good option when you are just starting out with your driving, or if you have recently moved to a new place. You need a car to get around. If you have recently migrated to the place from another country, a used car is the ideal thing to have to get around and familiarize yourself with your new surroundings. A second-hand car is not that expensive and if you are lucky you can get one to drive for life! If a dealer is ready to take cash, that is an added advantage for the newcomer who hasn’t yet opened a checking account with a bank. This kind of dealership is equally good for someone who is leaving town and wants to trade in their car for cash. If cars are valued by Kelly Blue Book Standards, then it is a reliable benchmark.

The dealerships you want to work with should be established. If you are new to the city, you could ask around and you will be directed to the ones with a long-standing reputation. These are reliable dealers. They have been around for decades and know cars like nobody else. A visit to their website and the number of models they deal in will vouch for their experience and reliability. Some of them are helpful. They do not require a credit check. But this is not to say they have no systems in place. They have all the backup documents of their prospective customers in the form of bank statements, current proof of income, Income tax returns, employment history, home lease agreement copies, utility, and cell phone bill copies for their records.

How to go about finding that best used car for yourself

· Do your research on the models you are thinking about. There are plenty of automotive websites offering professional reviews. There are also the users reviews after they have bought the cars. Look for any negative comments about the model in online forum discussions. This can help you negotiate for a lower price because of known problems.

· Choose your purchase point carefully – a new car dealer is a good source for later model used cars as they are the first to receive trade-ins and lease returns. However, used car dealers have a variety to choose from and you can be sure of picking up something to your satisfaction. But beware – if the price is too low, there are chances that this could be an accident repair car.

· Observe the car closely. Look out for a damp smell which is indicative of a water leak somewhere. Look for an overspray of paint on the fenders and door seals as well as wheel liners, which indicate previous damage. Fresh undercoating may be hiding major repairs. A dark transmission fluid is not a healthy sign either. Get an experienced technician to have a look over too.

· Test drive the car for a good hour, taking it on the highway and over potholes too to see how it holds up. Listen for any unusual noises etc.

· You can try to get a better deal too, since the profit margin on used cars is quite substantial. A used car dealer would be happy to part with a small part of his profit.

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Source by Satvik Mittal

Renting a Moving Truck – What to Know

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Many times if you are just moving across town, you will do the move yourself instead of laying out the expense of hiring a moving company for a short move. Some will enlist the help of someone with a pickup truck but most will rent a moving truck so it takes fewer trips to move. Before you rent a moving truck there are things that you need to consider.

Overall size of load

This refers to the size of the stuff that needs to be moved. When renting a moving truck there are different sizes so you want to make sure that you are getting the correct size. If the truck is too big or too small for your needs it can end up costing more because of more trips needed or wasting extra gas. Measure the larger items like appliances and furniture to see just how much room they will take up and then look at the packing boxes. By doing this, it will give you some idea of how much space you will need to make just one trip. The truck size should be a little bigger than your estimates to give you room for error in judging how much space you will need.

Fuel efficiency and mechanical condition

Make sure that you are choosing a trusted rental agency because if you choose a local company or one that is not reputable you may find it breaking down during your move, having brake problems, etc. If you are not sure what to look for when renting a truck bring someone who would with you when you pick up the truck. Have then look at the engine compartment, try out the brakes, and look at the tires. The fluid levels should also be checked. Most moving trucks use diesel fuel but you should check to make sure. Most companies have a policy that when the truck is returned that it has a full tank of fuel so if the fuel gauge is not on the full mark let the agent know.

Extra moving aids

Moving heavy furniture and appliances is made easier if there is a furniture dolly so if one is not in the truck ask if one comes with the rental and if not ask if you can rent one. Most do provide this moving aid for their customers. There should also be an extension ramp at the end of the truck to make moving the heavier items easier. Check to see if the rental includes padding to be used between heavy items and canvas straps to secure the items.

Miscellaneous items

You also need to consider:

• Legal driving requirements

• Financial deposits

• Insurance

• Rental time

• Where you pick up and drop off the moving truck.

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Source by Lora Davis

Wind Deflectors – Lessen Your Car’s Fuel Consumption

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Wind deflectors are accessories for cars that you would normally find on the hood, sunroof and side windows. Deflectors mounted on the front hood of a car will give protection to the vehicle from any debris that might be thrown up into its path by another vehicle or by wind. Deflectors fitted to the sunroof and side window areas are mainly for ventilation purposes and to keep those inside the car safe from nature’s elements.

Your car is at its most vulnerable from flying objects at the front it doesn’t matter what speed you are travelling at- stones, rocks, salt, insects even dust can damage your car and if your on the motorway the damage caused could be even greater than just paint chips, dents, or broken windscreens. These types of damage although they may seem minor at the time can progress into long term and bigger problems especially for the bodywork exposing it to the risk of rust and corrosion. A broken windscreen will not only make vision difficult especially if it happened at night, but replacement costs could be quite expensive. It is also illegal to drive with a broken windscreen at night.

A wind deflector that is specifically designed to fit your make and model of car on the front hood where the car is at its weakest from flying objects will help save the amount of damage by taking the initial impact of any object flying towards you and redirect it away from the vehicle thus reducing the likelihood of any major damage. A deflector fitted to your hood is a wise investment for any drivers that spend a lot of hours on the open road and in all weather extremes. They are a low cost way to stop what could be very high cost repairs.

Wind deflectors that are designed for use with the sunroof and side windows are normally fitted along the width of the sunroof and the length of the side windows. The idea here is to allow the sunroof and or windows to be opened and get fresh air into your vehicle but keep out the elements such as rain, snow and excessive wind. One of the main benefits from these deflectors is that they can reduce the amount of times you would need to use the air con whilst still remaining cool and refreshed another boost is that the less the air con is used the less fuel you will burn.

Wind deflectors are a very common vehicle accessory and most of the well known car accessory stores do carry them. Be careful though if you choose to buy from these stores. Deflectors are manufactured to fit certain vehicle types and models so, be sure that you take care when looking for the right one to fit your vehicle. The safest way to buy them is from the dealership you purchased the car from although this could work out more expensive, you will have the peace of mind knowing you have the exact ones for your make and model.

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Source by John Loewen

What If Everyone Used Solar Power Energy at Home?

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Did you know that if we equipped half the houses in America with full-sized solar panels, there’s the potential that we could power the entire U.S. with solar power? The location of the panels would have to be strategically placed to maximize solar efficiency, but once in place, America could have 25 years of energy independence from foreign oil for electrical needs.

A great example of how this energy can impact local neighborhoods is Iwaki New Town, Japan. Their neighborhood has 46 homes fully equipped with solar power. These 46 homes provide 310,000 kWh a year, which can power over 90 households! Iwaki New Town’s climate is much like many cities in Southern and Western U.S. It’s sunny between 250-300 days out of the year, and there’s very little snow.

If we equipped every home in Florida, the Carolinas, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California, the U.S. would have over 70% of its electricity needs met with only the sun’s power. If you add less sunny states such as Tennessee, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nevada and Utah, we could easily power 100% of America’s electrical needs with solar  alone. If every commercial business in America used this abundant resource regardless of their location, we could actually produce more electricity than what we would need.

Imagine that- other countries such as Canada and Mexico dependent on the U.S. for energy. Such benefits could be pumped back into maintaining those solar systems and increasing the incentives for homeowners to start using renewable energy.

Furthermore, the carbon footprint of solar power is infinitesimal when compared to conventional gas and electric systems. The only carbon footprint produced from solar panels is the tiny amount of carbon used in production. The myth that it takes more carbon to produce a solar panel than to run one is false. Once running, a panel has zero carbon emissions and lasts over 25 years. Just one large solar power plant producing over 1mW a year replaces over 1500 cars on the road in regards to carbon footprint-A YEAR. Over the course of 25 years of reliable renewable energy, this equates to over 37,500 cars for just one solar power plant!

The other perk to using the power of the sun is the recyclability of the the panels, inverters and batteries. Once a panel fails, it’s easily recycled to produce more panels. The glass and solar cells can be melted down and “recharged” to make even more panels. The same goes for the electrical components such as the inverter and battery. Metals within the inverter can be melted down to create more electrical diodes and pairings, and the batteries can be remanufactured to make more batteries. This is similar to what we do with cell phones that have been recycled. Recycling plants that recycle these parts could also be run on solar power, further reducing our carbon footprint as we recreate new solar energy systems and recycle old ones.

Best of all, as this type of energy gets more popular, the cost of these systems invariably goes down. Plus, as we recycle more of these systems, more parts become available and more homeowners can invest in the solar panels industry. It may seem like a huge cost, but when you consider the rising cost of electricity, how can we justify not using solar power?

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Source by Philip Richards

Thinking of Getting a White Tattoo? Here Are Some Points to Consider

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First, there are two distinctly different types of white tattoos being done currently. One is done with white ink only, will be slightly visible under natural daylight and is permanent. The other is done with white UV black light ink and may not be visible at all once healed fully and may or may not last a long time.

The first type is done with only white, normal tattoo ink. There are many brands of white ink on the market today and new brands are showing up all the time. Brands like Starbright, Millenium “Moms’, Kuro Sumi, Fantasia, Eternal, Iron Butterfly, and others basically use titanium white powered pigment in a carrier fluid. This carrier fluid is usually made of glycerin, witch hazel, alcohol, and/or water. The FDA has not at this time approved any inks for injection under human skin. But, we in the market, are expecting that to change in the near future. Some inks are sold as opaque white, while others are intended to be used as a mixing agent with other colors to brighten or lighten the base color, much as is done when tinting paint colors. As a professional tattoo artist of many years, my experience has been that these inks are great when used in small areas, such as edging out a rose, as accents to edges of elements and as reflection points on elements meant to be representational of reflections. But, experience also has taught me that these whites when used in larger areas tend to not hold up well and tend to fade out completely in a year or less depending upon how much that area of the skin is exposed to sun light.

Historically, tattoo artists didn’t even have access to white ink until about 30 years ago. It simply didn’t exist before that time. So, areas that were white in a drawing were usually left naked skin when tattooing was done. Some things like skull teeth, white roses, bones, etc. are usually shaded out with a variety of grays then highlighted with white to give the visual impression of being something white. Many designers of tattoo flash (artwork) today who are not tattoo artists, fail to take into account that white does not hold up well in skin in large areas, over a long period, and design pieces of artwork that require large areas of white ink application in the design. Many tattoo artists will try to advise their clients that perhaps a pale blue, pale yellow, pale purple can be used instead of straight white since with just a slight amount of another pigment added to the white in the area tends to last longer and hold up better.

One particular type of ink that offers a very opaque white ink that does seem to hold up well over time is the brand produced by Intenze. Intenze inks are made with the usual pigments and carrier fluids, but have an added difference. According to the MSDS sheets that tell what the ingredients of inks are, Intenze inks also include a finely ground acrylic polymer. Acrylic polymers are used in car paints, house paints, and other applications. There has been some discussion in online forums between artists that there is a fear that the acrylic polymers may melt and solidify in the skin and make a patch of tougher skin than the surrounding areas. I have been using Intenze inks for over 5 years now and have never had one single complaint from any customer about this problem. I have used this ink on myself with beautiful results. Intenze white is the only white ink that I can use on darker skin and actually get it to show up well. Granted, it sometimes takes a double coat (two applications; apply once, let heal, apply again) to get the intensity the client wants, but it is without a doubt one of the most opaque white inks I have used. My clients love the way it looks and when I explain the pros and cons of the ink types, invariably they choose the Intenze white ink.

The second type of white tattoos being done now are UV blacklight reactive. There are also several brands of white UV inks on the market. One of the oldest is a microencapsulated type of ink where every molecule of tattoo ink is encapsulated in very tiny clear, flexible containers like a gel cap pill. These inks are only produced by one manufacturer at the moment and they have been rigorously tested in animals for many years. Because of their micro encapsulation, the ink never actually comes in contact with the skin in any way and the only way the ink can be broken out of the micro-container is by freezing. But, hey, if you’re frozen, you’re probably dead anyway, so where’s the contamination issue? I have also been using this ink successfully for over 4 years and have never had one complaint from a client. As usual, I tested it on myself before letting customers request it. The think about this ink, is that is thin, and the manufacturer suggests that it is not to be mixed during the tattoo process with normal inks, as they will cancel out the UV properties. Basically this means that if you want a highly visible tattoo, get a normal tattoo first, let it heal completely, then go back to the tattoo artist and have them apply the UV inks over the existing tattoo. If you want a tattoo less noticeable, then use just the UV micro encapsulated inks.

If you have a tattoo done with strictly white micro encapsulated white ink, the tattoo will appear pink (skin irritation from the tattoo process) or purple (stain from the tattoo stencil that fades away completely in a day or two). Once the tattoo is fully healed (perhaps 1 – 2 months) the pinkness goes away and the tattoo is invisible except under UV black lights. I have done a number of these in the past recent years on people like doctors, law enforcement officials, financial and real estate people and others who want tattoos but also respect the constraints of their career fields and need their tattoos to be invisible. The results have been exactly what the client wants. A tattoo artist needs to be very skilled before attempting to use these inks, though, because they are not easy to get good results unless you have the patience to practice a lot on pig ears before you try them on human skin. There is definitely a special technique required to get good results when using UV Black light inks.

Recently, a new tattoo ink manufacturer has come out with a line of nonencapsulated UV black light inks. I have tried the Tokyo Pink and find this ink to be thin, not as bright in the skin as in the bottle, and a couple of clients have come back after 3 – 4 months saying that their pink areas are not glowing under a black light anymore. So, these inks may be good, but their ‘glow power’ endurance seems to be in question. My advice would be to work with an artist who has used a particular type of ink for over 1 year and can give you qualified, expert advice about which brands will do what you want from them.

As for white tattoos? My attitude is, if you’re going to get a tattoo, get a tattoo!! Be proud, be bold, show it off and never apologize for being yourself. But, yes I realize there are some that feel the need to compromise. If white tattoos are what you want, shop around, find an experienced tattoo artist who can show you pictures of their work and give you client referrals so you can make an informed decision, and get what you want.

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Source by Lenny Welch

Top 10 Car Drawing Books For Beginner Artists

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1. How to Draw Cars Like a Pro, 2nd Edition

In this long-awaited follow-up to the best-selling first edition of How to Draw Cars Like a Pro, renowned car designer Thom Taylor goes back to the drawing board to update his classic with all-new illustrations and to expand on such topics as the use of computers in design today. Taylor begins with advice on selecting the proper tools and equipment, then moves on to perspective and proportion, sketching and cartooning, various media, and light, shadow, reflection, color, and even interiors. Written to help enthusiasts at all artistic levels, his book also features more than 200 examples from many of today’s top artists in the automotive field. Updated to include computerized illustration techniques.

Author: Thom Taylor

2. How To Draw Cars Fast and Easy

How To Draw Cars Fast and Easy is a 134 page car drawing guide in downloadable e-book format, jam-packed from cover to cover with all the tips and techniques previously known by only a small handful of professional designers. This program contains all the information you’ll ever need to draw perfect looking cars quickly and easily that will amaze your friends.

Author: Tim Rugendyke

3. How To Design Cars Like a Pro

This book describes how car design and technology work through the eyes of the most talented and powerful car designers in the world. The interviews give a deep understanding of why we see what we see on the highways of the world. Author Tony Lewin has been a highly regarded magazine editor on the world stage for so long that some of the top young guns revealing all in this book were hanging on his words just a few years ago.

Author: Tony Lewin

4. How to Draw & Paint Cars

This book is not about learning how to draw and paint fashionable cars, super cars, tarted up street or ‘cool’ cars as referred to by some motoring journalists, it is about drawing and painting all types of cars. The author has endeavored to distill experience from many years creating images on this subject into a book that will help and encourage those keen to draw and paint cars, both for pleasure or as a career. The author takes you through the history of the car from it’s conception in 1885 to current models with sketches and paintings created in a variety of mediums, with examples and step by step guides. Readers are encouraged to develop their skills, whether raw beginners or accomplished artists. The road to success won’t be easy, but, through this book you will learn all the techniques short cuts accumulated over decades by an accomplished commercial artist. Whether for business or pleasure this book is THE handbook for automotive art. With 185 illustrations and step by step guides this is a must have for any budding auto artist.

Author: Tony Gardiner

5. How to Draw Cars the Hot Wheels Way

This book provides excellent how-to-draw detail that is appealing and easy to follow for Hot Wheels(tm) and drawing enthusiasts from ages 10 to adult. Detailed drawing techniques with descriptive captions allow readers to create their own automotive designs. Illustrations emphasize how to draw fantasy, custom, concept, and hot rod cars. Author Scott Robertson uses original Mattel artwork throughout the book. With real Mattel artwork featured in detail, the bo0ok has great appeal for collectors, even if they aren’t aspiring artists. Because Hot Wheels(tm) diecast cars are modeled after both real and fantasy vehicles, the techniques and interest to readers is the same as for real-life car enthusiasts. Officially licensed by Mattel.

Author: Scott Robertson

6. H-Point: The Fundamentals of Car Design & Packaging

The ultimate reference guide for car designers and automotive engineers! H-Point was written by the pioneer of the Vehicle Architecture course at Art Center College of Design, Stuart Macey along with the Director of Advanced Mobility Research, Geoff Wardle. Currently used as the educational handout for the transportation design students at Art Center, it will now be available to aspiring car creators everywhere, clearly organizing the packaging standards that apply to car and truck design; along with insightful graphic explanations, this book demystifies the automotive design process and allows designers access to an illustrious careers worth of knowledge.

Author: Stuart Macey

7. How to Design Cars Like a Pro

This comprehensive new edition of How to Design Cars Like a Pro provides an in-depth look at modern automotive design. Interviews with leading automobile designers from Ford, BMW, GM Jaguar, Nissan and others, analyses of past and present trends, studies of individual models and concepts, and much more combine to reveal the fascinating mix of art and science that goes into creating automobiles. This book is a must-have for professional designers, as well as for automotive enthusiasts.

Author: Tony Lewin

8. DRIVE: vehicle sketches and renderings

DRIVE features Scott Robertson’s very latest vehicle designs intended for the video game space communicated through skillfully drawn sketches and renderings.

DRIVE builds upon the success of his prior two vehicle design books, Start Your Engines and Lift Off. Featuring four chapters, each representing a different aesthetic theme, Aerospace, Military, Pro Sports and Salvage, conceptual sports cars, big-rigs and off -road vehicle designs are beautifully represented through traditional and digital media sketches, and renderings.

Author: Scott Robertson

9. How to Illustrate and Design Concept Cars

Beginners will find an easy-to-follow introduction to the topic, while more experienced designers can find new inspirations by reading about the author’s workflow process. A very interesting book for everyone who loves drawing and rendering cars.

Author: Adrian dewey

10. Start Your Engines: Surface Vehicle Sketches & Renderings from the Drawthrough Collection (Air Vehicle Sketches)

Start Your Engines compiles works from Scott Robertson’s vast archives of ground vehicle drawings and renderings, and features the following chapters: Cars, Bicycles, Snowcraft Mechanimals and selected work from the conceptual design of vehicles for the video games Field Commander and Spy Hunter 2. The Cars chapter comprises about half of this book and features original designs both futuristic and retrospective.

Author: Scott Robertson

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Source by Hayaho Miazaki

Shortness of Breath – Anxiety & Panic

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Probably the most common symptom of them all with anxiety & panic is shortness of breath; some also describe it as a smothering sensation, or feeling like they are suffocating, like there is no air around them.

This is often the first symptom that will trigger off a panic attack. As soon as the sufferer feels they cannot breathe then the heart begins to race 50 to the dozen, then you begin to feel dizzy like your going to pass out and that’s when the fear of death hits you dead in your tracks.

Or of course, you could feel short of breath, then dizzy (or light-headed), then racing heart beat then scared to your wits end that your going to die or pass-out.

If you’ve ever felt this sensation before, then you should be aware that this is classic symptoms of a panic attack.

It can hit anytime, anywhere. Heck, I used to get this one a lot while driving in my car. And anyone who can relate to that knows that is dam frightening! Because now you’re afraid you’re going to have a car accident with it!

The most important thing in this scenario is to deal with the first symptom. The shortness of breath. I will begin by explaining to you why you feel the shortness of breath.

The blunt of it is obviously poor breathing technique, which apparently majority of the world does not breathe properly. But for the anxiety sufferer it’s usually much more predominant. The anxiety sufferer takes very short quick breaths, therefore not allowing sufficient amount of air flow to your lungs and body.

Here is a quick test you can perform right now on yourself to see if you are breathing correctly. Place your hand between your chest and stomach area, as you breathe in is your chest and stomach area rising? As you breathe out does your hand fall with your stomach and chest?

When I first did this test, I was quite surprised to find that there was little movement at all.

What you need to do is encourage deeper slower breaths. Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose, and then breathe out through your mouth slowly. You will find when you first start practicing this technique that it will probably make you feel a bit light headed. That’s ok. It’s because your body isn’t used to receiving so much oxygen. It is used to living on the “bread and dripping” bum end scale of oxygen.

Try doing this exercise a few times a day, eventually it will become habit and you will adopt new and healthier breathing habits.

It is important for the anxiety sufferer to know that he/she will not stop breathing from these sensations. You try holding your breath; your body will shortly after force you to breathe again.

Note: Never self diagnose. Make sure you visit your local GP first. All material provided is for informational or educational purposes only. No content is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult your doctor regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your symptoms or medical condition.

© Joanne King – http://www.anxiety-panic-free.com

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Source by Joanne King

The Rest From Work in Child’s Play

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Blessedness is the business of those believing in Christ. Our pastime is faith, our proclivity is hope, our passion is love.

But how does that translate in common fatherhood? For me, it pivots around being present, which seems easier than it is in a world full of distractions. I’d love a blessing for every time I’ve failed to be present, but of course life (and God) doesn’t work that way. I’d love it if all those temptations into distraction proved of value, but of course they don’t.

The fact is we’re only rewarded with the sweet Presence of God as we slow down for sweet moments where we’re present in life, especially as we congregate with those we love.

On a common-enough Friday morning, my wife having left for work, which means it’s my day to manage household affairs and care for our son, I found myself in the backyard, absorbed by the imagination of our nearly four-year-old.

He stands atop a sawed-off tree stump and spies through a paper roll telescope at the land over yonder. You can see miles through this thing! He tucks his telescope into his shirt and he’s off. He climbs the ladder on the slide and spies over the fence into the neighbour’s yard, before I divert his attention to worthier pursuits.

Soon enough, he’s moved on to a game on the swing, where he runs up, having taken an on-your-mark-SET-GO approach, and flies through the air, his belly on the seat, nearly upending the swing more than once. (Dad decides to anchor it better!) He is, in fact, performing. Of course! What else?

The next activity takes place in the cubby house. 30-seconds of light relief, before the next idea springs from his mind. His Lightning McQueen (a Tonka truck) has to be refuelled and have its tyres pumped up. Then, he’s off, tearing through the backyard, taking tight turns, kicking up the dirt, just like the racing car reveller. Until Lightning McQueen is bogged in the dirt. We decide he’s to be winched out. I’m about to do it, when I hear, “I’ll do it, Dad.” The joy of seeing him take control of his play, watching him be responsible in discharging his cares.

***

Blessedness is achieved as quick as it takes to slow down. Darrell Bock says blessing rests on “one who is the object of grace and happy because of it.” Simply knowing we’re objects of grace, having received such undying favour, makes us bristle with joy.

Blessedness is close being a parent absorbed in our children’s lives.

Each moment in our children’s lives is an eternal glimpse into irretrievable memory. In years to come we will know we had these experiences, but our memory will betray us.

There is no time but the present.

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Source by Steve Wickham