As we begin a season of thanks I would like to direct our thoughts to the idea of giving thanks. We should give some thought to those who stand by us as we walk through life. I am thankful for my friend and wife, Lynda. She has helped me, nurtured me, supported me and loved me. Who is standing by your side? Let them know how much their support means to you and you are thankful to have them alongside. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In racing we have a team surrounding us and when that team is working at its best, each member pulls their own weight. When one member becomes weak the other members can pick up the slack. However, that team will fail if the members refuse to give and take for the good of the team. Challenges in racing come and the team that is the most flexible has the best chance for overcoming those challenges.
In our lives we also face challenges. God did not intend for us to face them alone. He provides for each one of us a helpmate to walk by our side. I take great joy in helping a man and woman join together in Holy Marriage. The opportunity to help them navigate their relationship, build a family and make a home is one I take seriously. God created that provision and I am thankful for my helpmate.
Genesis 2:18ff, NLT; Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”…
The Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man.
“At last!” the man exclaimed.
“This one is bone from my bone,
and flesh from my flesh!
She will be called ‘woman,’
because she was taken from ‘man.’”
No one is immune to the challenges of life. We each have areas where we are weak. We all need held dealing with our weaknesses. One of my weakness is I struggle with is when things don’t follow the plan I have. Sometimes the way things are planned out and the way things happen don’t agree. I am analytical in nature and think things through in a logical order. That is good in some circumstances, but not well received in others. I don’t always see the big picture. Lynda helps me put things in perspective.
One of the great advantages to having someone standing by your side is that you have someone else to share the experience with. The hope is that one can pick the other up and vice-versa. Lynda and I have become such a team. We are thankful to the Lord for putting us together. When one of us starts to go in the wrong direction the other is there to guide them back. We remind each other not to get caught up in the trap that is set to snare us by the enemy.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
God has a way of doing things that at times at difficult to see. Having someone to stand by our side helps us to see the things we are blinded to. We can help each other find God’s way in our daily life. We can encourage each other to refocus on the things that are right and ignore the things that drag us down. We can encourage each other to find God’s way.
Isaiah said this…
ISAIAH 55:6-9; Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Our thoughts and ways are not the thoughts and ways of God. We need to focus on what God wants us to do and what God wants us to think. I know from personal experience that this is not easy but, it is much easier when you have someone at alongside.
If you have that someone, let them know how thankful you are to have them at your side. If not, I would like to challenge you to find such a friend. It will help you maintain your focus where it should be, on God and His ways. When the trials and tribulations of life come, and they will, you will do well to have a friend that will stand beside you. We all need a friend to help you move in the right direction. I thank God for such a friend.
Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.
