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By Rev Don Rivers
How was your Father’s Day? Did we take the time to remember our dad and acknowledge him? How about our heavenly Father, did we thank Him for everything He has done for us? With honor comes respect. When we honor someone, we show them respect. Who do we honor in our lives? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Father’s Day is another time when we are reminded of one of our parents. Let’s face it without either one we would not be here. God’s idea of parents is not necessarily held by the world today. As we discussed last week, God created the family with certain roles and responsibilities. I hope and pray that your dad understands his responsibility and has tried to honor God in his leadership of his family.
Dads are an interesting lot. I was talking with one at the race track and it was interesting as he described what it was like to watch his son race, you could see the pride on his face. He has retired from racing and now has been relegated to watching. For him it is difficult because he would love to be there, side by side, racing with his son.
Then there was the feature that saw a father follow his son across the line in a one-two finish. I couldn’t see inside his helmet but I would be willing to bet that dad was full of emotion and pride at watching his son’s achievement. His son had just won his first feature in the division and dad had a front row seat.
We all remember Dale Sr. as he watched his son and his driver, Michael Waltrip, lead the Daytona 500 out of the last turn. The day would take a sudden and tragic turn a few seconds later, but that didn’t remove the joy a father had for his son.
I remember the race where Joey Logano gave his dad a victory on Father’s Day, his first as he became the youngest to win in the NASCAR national divisions. Tom and I have talked many times about how difficult it is standing by watching, wanting your son to do well.
There is an expectation that we will act in a way that honors our parents. Scripture tells us to honor our father and mother and it will go well for us. The Fifth Commandment says;
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.
Honor is an interesting word and I thought we might try to understand it better. What does it mean to honor someone or something? At the very least it means to recognize the significance. It means to acknowledge. It means to respect. When we honor someone we show them that we understand what they have done and we are grateful for the opportunity provided for us.
I think back to some of the local SK Modified features I’ve seen. One in particular was a pretty rough race with the beating and banging that has become commonplace in the division. I wonder where the honor and respect drivers had for one another has gone? I remember an article in an older issue month’s Speedway Illustrated that tells of a different era when drivers had a respect for one another and contact was the exception and not the rule.
In an excerpt from Bugsy!, the Life and Times of Bugs Stevens, comes an Etiquette Lesson. Bugsy was quoted to say “Even the worst driver can run into another car.” What he is saying is that it takes a good driver to drive around someone. A driver who has respect for the equipment and other drivers.
In his day, Bugsy said there were unwritten rules and everyone abided by them. Passing was done by driving around someone not through them. They had the right of way until you got to their door and they could see you. Then they were expected to relinquish the groove. That did not mean they didn’t fight for position; they did, side by side not nose to tail. When you didn’t have the car to get it done you fell in behind, finished the race and lived to race another day. Bugsy said some of his best days in racing were those side-by-side battles. If you get a chance look up the article or maybe read the book. Maybe it should be required reading for young drivers? Maybe we can get back to that kind of racing someday?
This helps us to understand what it means to honor someone or something. The unwritten rules were respected. The drivers raced with an understanding of them and they were not broken intentionally because someone thought they deserved to be in a better position. That is where honor starts, in your heart. When we think we deserve something we haven’t earned we start moving away from honor and respect. We aren’t where we should be.
Honor is about putting someone above yourself. It is about caring for others and what they have done before you care about what you want. There are many people that deserve to be honored. I think of all those who gave their lives for our freedom. I think of those who have paved the way for me to enjoy the opportunities I have. I think of my dad, he wasn’t perfect and in many eyes didn’t do anything honorable, but for me he taught me respect. He taught me fairness. He taught me how to honor others. That is enough for me to say thank you.
I also think about what God has done for me, the sacrifice He made to show His love for me. I desire to embrace that, honor and respect Him.
John 3:16-17; NIV; For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
I wonder if we have lost our way? Have we become so self-centered that we don’t have time to stop and honor those who came before us, those who paved the way, those who sacrificed their life for ours. I am not just talking about our dads, I am talking about anyone who, in the past, has done something that has helped us attain the life we enjoy today.
We honor God the Father because He created us; He gave us life. He holds our future in his hand. He provided a sacrifice for us so that through the blood of Christ our sins could be forgiven. He cares for us. He loves us.
We need to take a moment and reflect on our life, the things we have, the opportunities we are given and the things we enjoy. Take some time and honor those who have given so much so that we could have 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.
