My first visit to a racetrack was in the 60’s. My dad brought me to Stafford Motor Speedway. I was your typical seven-year-old, I didn’t sit still, wanted everything the concession stand had to offer and watching the racing was secondary. However, I do remember being entranced by the cars, the noise and the speed. I was hooked, I wanted to come back. 

To this day, I still get that feeling in my stomach when I approach a racetrack. Sometimes it just takes a sign that states one is nearby. I remember the excitement like it was the first time. Even though I attend Stafford’s Friday night races many times every season; that feeling is still there. I hope I never lose it. Thanks dad. 

I remember the race that cemented my passion for racing. One summer night a few years later at Catamount Stadium in Milton, Vermont. We were on vacation visiting relatives and the idea came to go to the races. I was in. We sat at the exit of the fourth turn, where the action was! Bobby Dragon and Canada’s Jean-Paul Cabana dueled for the entire feature. As they came to the checkered flag, out of turn four, one car erupted in flames. They rolled to a stop in the grass, just passed the start/finish line, the other driver was halfway out of his car with a fire extinguisher in his hand to help the driver he just fought tooth and nail with for the win. What a show of respect, of sportsmanship.

Things are different today, drivers seem to have lost respect for one another, for their cars and for the families behind the driver. That breaks my heart. My dad taught me respect, he instilled in me to have respect for everyone, treat people like they matter and give more effort than is expected. Thanks dad.

The part that really hooked me though was when the night was finished, we went through the gate at the start/finish line and walked into the pits. I had a chance to see the drivers and their cars up close and personal. I was in awe; these guys were larger than life and that night left an impression that has fueled my feeling about racing to this day.

I have my father to thank for that. My dad didn’t live too long, he passed away when I was fifteen, but during the time we had together he taught me a tremendous amount about life and how to live it. I think every parent only wants that opportunity, the opportunity to pass on their passion to their children. We want to teach them what and how this life should be lived.

I wonder how your dad touched your life. I look at the names of the drivers and I see the Jr.’s after many names. Each one is there to honor the dad that blazed the trail and imparted on his son the passion to race. There is at least one cheering for them, dad.

As I said before my dad passed away when I was fifteen but that doesn’t stop him from being an influence in my life. Much of who I am and how I view things I learned from him. I know he didn’t always do things right but he was always my dad. 

I also have a heavenly Father. I remember how many times Jesus referred to his father, my Father in heaven. Jesus wasn’t out there alone; his father was there for him. There would however come a time when Jesus would leave this earth and turn the ministry over to the men he trained, much like sons. As he talked with His disciples about His upcoming departure, He provided them words of assurance and direction.

John 14:1-6, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

Jesus is preparing a place for us in His Father’s house, Heaven. He will come and claim what belongs to Him and we will live there with Him for eternity. That is the promise of our Father in Heaven. 

We do not have to live separated from our heavenly Father. We know the way; Jesus Christ. Let Jesus instill a passion in your heart for living in a way that would please your heavenly Father. Jesus is that way, that truth, that life. 

Luke 15:20-24; NLT; “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. ²¹ His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son’

“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

There is always room at home, no matter how many children, spouses, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and the like come home. We open our earthly home much the same way our Heavenly Father opens his home, heaven, to us. Jesus has prepared a place for us; we need only accept the invitation to come home.

Remember the man who you call dad this week. Thank him for the passion he put in your heart for the things you love. Also remember your Heavenly Father and the place he has for you. Turn to him to get you through the days ahead. Trust Him with your very life. 

Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.

My dad taught me to drive at an early age. I think the first time he let me move the truck I could barely reach the pedals. Granted I didn’t start it, but I did press in the clutch and let it roll a few yards.

I remember sitting in his lap with my hands on the wheel. It was a blue Ford Galaxy we had named Ole Betsy. I would steer from one side of the road to the other, he would correct it just as I was getting to the edge.

My father taught me to give an honest day’s work. He taught me to be honest and fair. Those lessons I can only appreciate now, later in life, when I see how much good character means.

I have my father to thank for that. My dad didn’t live too long, he passed when I was fifteen, but during the time we had together he taught me a tremendous amount about life and how to live it. I think every parent only wants that opportunity, the opportunity to teach their children the lessons that they learned; the opportunity to teach their children what and how this life should be lived.

I was rereading a story told by Geoff Bodine in the March 2003 issue of Guideposts. He talked about the family feud that went public after that faithful day in Indy when he and Brett exchanged love taps in turn three and four. Geoff recounted how he shot his mouth off and exposed a family matter for the whole world to see.

He remembered what his dad had taught him and wondered what his father would make of the whole thing. He behaved in a way that went against everything his father had taught him. “I couldn’t imagine how deeply our fighting must have hurt Dad.”

Geoff continued, “I grew up on my grandfather’s farm in Chemung, NY. Grandpa worked the dairy part. Dad and I worked the chicken farm. Side-by-side with dad, I learned what it meant to be a caring, decent Christian man. He was always giving, whether it was a meal, a job or money. People in church and the community counted on him. I can’t remember him ever once saying anything bad about anyone. Especially family.”

Geoff shared how something continued to nag at him, despite all his success he had forsaken the lessons he learned from his father. His dad loved his wife, loved his children and most of all loved living a life that pleased God. Geoff remembers praying, “Please Lord, teach me how to make you more a part of my life. Like dad.”

In the end God would come to Geoff’s aid, as he tumbled in a horrific crash at Daytona, God came to him and spared his life. “It wasn’t luck or safety restraints that saved me, it was a miracle. I am here to tell them I’m alive only by the grace and power of God. I’m sure Dad would be proud.”

That regret we feel when we let our parents down is a difficult one to deal with. The forgiveness our parents show us is a tremendous gift. As we reflect on what we have learned from our fathers think about what our Father in Heaven has to teach us. Think about the valuable lessons we can learn at the feet of God. 

My Child ~
You may not know me, but I know everything about you ~ Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up ~ Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways ~ Psalm 139:3 
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ~ Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image ~ Genesis 1:27 
In me you live and move and have your being ~ Acts 17:28 
For you are my offspring ~ Acts 17:28 
I knew you even before you were conceived ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5 
I chose you when I planned creation ~ Ephesians 1:11-12 
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ~ Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ~ Acts 17:26 
You are fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14 
I knit you together in your mother’s womb ~ Psalm 139:13 
And brought you forth on the day you were born ~ Psalm 71:6 
I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me ~ John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ~ 1 John 4:16 
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ~ 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father ~ 1 John 3:1 
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ~ Matthew 7:11 
For I am the perfect father ~ Matthew 5:48 
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ~ James 1:17 
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ~ Matthew 6:31-33 
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ~ Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3 
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ~ Psalm 139:17-18 
And I rejoice over you with singing ~ Zephaniah 3:17 
I will never stop doing good to you ~ Jeremiah 32:40 
For you are my treasured possession ~ Exodus 19:5 
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul ~ Jeremiah 32:41 
And I want to show you great and marvelous things ~ Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me ~ Deuteronomy 4:29 
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ~ Psalm 37:4 
For it is I who gave you those desires ~ Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ~ Ephesians 3:20 
For I am your greatest encourager ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you ~ Psalm 34:18 
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ~ Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes ~ Revelation 21:3-4 
And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth ~ Revelation 21:3-4 
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ~ John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ~ John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being ~ Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ~ Romans 8:31 
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ~ 1 John 4:10 
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love ~ Romans 8:31-32 
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me ~ 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ~ Romans 8:38-39 
Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen ~ Luke 15:7 
I have always been Father, and will always be Father ~ Ephesians 3:14-15 
My question is ~ Will you be my child? ~ John 1:12-13 
I am waiting for you ~ Luke 15:11-32
                                                               Love, Your Dad, Almighty God

Father’s Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications Copyright 1999-2010 www.FathersLoveLetter.com

I hope you enjoyed learning a little more about your Father in Heaven. He loves you and cares for you. I encourage you to take some time and seek Him out. 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.