The task was simple; check the air in the car’s tires, refill as needed. The hose from the compressor would easily reach. There was hand cleaner close by for when I was done. I thought everything would be finished in a few minutes. The first tire told me that this was the beginning. Yes, the tire needed air. No, adding air would not be enough. The wear pattern told a story of an alignment problem that had played itself out over months of driving.
The initial visual inspection was affirmed on the rack. The spec on every wheel was different from the factory setting. Not much, but at least one of the six specifications on each wheel was off. The combination could be felt when driving. Without the visual, there was just enough information to be suspicious. With the visual, there was little doubt. As the inspection moved towards a close and a choice (when to act), there was more news. We needed two tires. The outcome was getting worse, at least for the pocketbook.
One may not like the outcome of an inspection. I often want to believe that the facts are not the facts if I do not know that they exist. I know life does not work that way, but maybe it does in this situation.
An old writer reminds me that I am a lot like the car. “If your work passes inspection, fine; if it doesn’t, your part of the building will be torn out and started over. But you won’t be torn out; you’ll survive—but just barely.” (1 Corinthians 3.14, 15)
The question that remains is one of knowing. Do I want to know the truth?
Ignoring the truth is never the answer. The facts will be here, regardless of my awareness or acknowledgement. If I am aware, I have the opportunity to respond.
Today begins on a wet note. If I ignore the danger, the only thing that does not change is my blindness. If my eyes are open, I will see danger as well as the windows.
