Looking back to Mother’s Day last week reminds me of one
fact, without our moms none of us would be here. I recently lost my mom and
this will be the first time I don’t purchase a card and thank her. I will
remember the other moms in my life though, the mother of my children and the
mother of our granddaughter. Moms hold a special place in the hearts of
their children. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Let me ask you, what have you done for your mom lately? I don't
mean one Sunday out of 52. I mean everyday. I realize some of us have
estranged relationships with our mothers but we still need to recognize the
fact that without them we wouldn't be here.
Scripture instructs us early on to honor our parents.
Exodus 20:12, "Honor your
father and your mother,
so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”
This is the fifth of the Ten Commandments
and comes with the promise of long life. Why do you think it matters so
much? God instituted the family and it is the basic unit of society.
Everything worth something is built on the foundation of family. Think of
the racing family we have. We support one another. We help one another. We
are sensitive to the needs of each other.
The same is true of our family. God designed us in such a way that
we need family support. We need a group of close people who know us better
than we know ourselves sometimes. This is a necessary element to living a
long and healthy life. When we maintain the family unit the way God designed
it we begin to live in a way that honors God.
Let's talk a little about what happens when families experience
events that stress it and break it. God's desire is that we would not
experience those things, but selfishness takes control and we do not follow
God's plan.
We all have a choice and too many times we choose what makes us
happy, not what honors God. That is called sin. Sin has consequences that
affect everyone around us. When we elevate our wants above others we run
into problems.
I say all this to help us understand that the demise of the family
that God designed has happened because we have chosen to follow something
other than God. We are in this situation because of the choices we make in
spite the efforts of our mothers.
For the most part it is the wife/mother that sacrifices the most
for her family. I know this is not true in all situations, but it is true in
most. I believe there are more single mothers trying to raise their
children. I am not dumping on dads just making an observation. I know when
it came time to care for me my mother sacrificed everything she had to give
me what I needed. I am sure it would have been easier if my father had
stayed around and sacrificed even a little.
What can we learn from this example? We can learn to put the needs
of others above ours. We can learn that every effort should be made to
maintain the family unit and follow God's direction. We can make a
commitment to change the way we think about others.
I would encourage you to follow the example of Mary, the mother of
Jesus. She had many reasons to say no to God. She had her reputation to
think of. She was engaged to Joseph and what would he think. She was just a
young girl, who would believe such a story. Scripture records the
conversation for us.
Luke 2:26-38 In the sixth
month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,
to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of
David.
The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you
who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting
this might be.
But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor
with God.
You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the
name Jesus.
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God
will give him the throne of his father David,
and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never
end."
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of
the Most High will overshadow you.
So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth
your relative is going to have a child in her old age,
and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is
impossible with God."
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have
said." Then the angel left her.
Despite all the challenges she responded in
a way that would honor God. She turned her life over to God and followed His
will. She would endure so much in her life including watching Jesus die on a
cross. As Jesus hung there he honored his mother. He turned to His disciple
John and left Mary in his care. Mary was willing to sacrifice everything for
God, are we?
We can learn a lot from those who sacrifice their wellbeing for the
benefit of others. Think of those people who have made an impact on your
life. Most of them have given more than they received. As we remember those
who have given so much let us try to do the same.
THOUGHTS
FROM THE ROAD
LEE AND STAFFORD STAND ALONE - From a
soggy Northeast last weekend, Stafford and Lee managed to get their racing
in. I was across the pond and the weather didn’t change our schedule at all.
Visiting the Irish Countryside was a treat. I must add traveling 100 K/hr
down a country lane not wide enough for two cars on the wrong side of the
road is exhilarating! Just keep an eye out for the sheep and cows.
Bobby Somers was at Lee USA and sent in this report:
Another Great Night of racing at Lee USA Speedway and may I
say a tad warmer. It was Friday Night Under the Lights second race of the
2013 season and one would think this was championship night. With all the
text alerts coming in from various New England Tracks canceling due to
weather, I think Lee could have been the only track to get racing in this
weekend. One division that sure has been an interesting division to watch
grow is the Ironman Division. This division is a great entry level division,
top speed of up to 65 miles an hour. There have been many drivers within
this division that have shown incredible patience, willing to learn with
seat time, and the utmost respect for other drivers on the track.
One Notable driver that has come a long way in her second season of
racing is the #38 of Hannah Shaw. When you see a young driver racing smart,
figuring out their car setup and learning what the car can and can’t do,
there is a great driver being born and that defines Hannah.
I have always been a great fan of the younger class, because they
are the future of all the short tracks we visit every weekend. So many
tracks have put their hype into the larger divisions and several years down
the road the track growth has diminished.
Well, back to Hannah. Tonight this was a night that will possibly
be a highlight of her early career. She placed a hard fought third in the
heat race. Then, come the feature, lead 10 of the 15 laps. When you have to
battle one car on your rear bumper, that can be tough, but two is a feat all
by itself! It was tonight, as Hanna finished second in the feature, which in
her interview echoed throughout Lee USA, sounded like a first place finish!
The rest of the divisions tonight put on a great show also showing
respect, which gave us incredible side by side racing. A very familiar
family throughout New England racing David and Annette Joyce’s mom Gail is
not doing well with her health and ask that you keep Gail and the family in
your prayers at this time.
This coming week Vinetta and I do double duty with Friday Night
Under the Lights at Lee USA and head south to Thompson Connecticut for the
Valenti Modified Racing Series on Sunday. It will be great to reunite back
with the MRS, after a little break in the schedule, and then Valenti
schedule gets a little crazy going forward.
I leave you with this scripture Psalm 27:4-5 One thing have I asked
of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the
LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to
inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of
trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me
high upon a rock.
As always God Bless keep one hand on the wheel and God in your
heart. Bobby
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Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing. GOD BLESS.
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Numbers 6:24-26 "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord
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toward you and give you peace."
May God always Bless you, everyday in everyway. Rev. Don
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