Encourage

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and he helps me.  My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him."  Psalm 28:7 NIV

It's Labor Day weekend!!  Can you believe it?  Where did the summer go?  Schools already back in session and the leaves are starting to dry and fall away from the trees.  Our apple orchards here in Indiana are starting to sell all of their delicious apples.  It's a big fall tradition for many of us Hoosiers to go and grab our favorite apples. 

Another tradition in Indy is drag racings crown jewel, US Nationals.  Indianapolis is the self proclaimed "Racing Capital of the World" since we are the proud home of the Indianapolis 500, Brickyard 400, and of course The Nationals.  Labor Day was a big weekend for Kirk.  He was a huge drag racing fan.  He had helped his uncle build a dragster when he was a teenager living north of Houston, Texas.  His dream was to work for a large team, preferably a Top Alcohol dragster.  About two-three years Kirk got a chance to help a local guy that raced an alcohol funny car.  I had never seen him so happy and excited.  He would have to be at the track early in the morning and wouldn't get home until after 10 pm during race weekend.  Even though the team didn't preform as well as they wanted, he got to fulfill a dream he had harbored for several years.  As we say, he got to check that off of his bucket list.  Little did we know, he would never get a chance to help out again at the track. 

This weekend is bittersweet for me.  Kirk and I went out to the track so many times when we were dating and before we had Emily.  Once Emily was old enough, we started taking her and she fell in love with the festivities.  She got to meet John Force a couple of times, his daughters, and several of the other big name drivers.  Labor Day weekend, especially Saturday, was set aside just for us to enjoy family time and racing.  Watching the race now on tv reminds me of so many sweet memories.  The good times we shared together are priceless.  We have not been back since Kirk's passing.  We have talked about going back, but the reality is that he will not be there with us smiling from ear to ear, enjoying his favorite sport. 

I know I have not written since July.  Truth be told, I have felt like I could not find words to encourage any of you.  This fifth year has really caught me off guard.  I have felt as though I can't muster enough in me to keep me moving; so how can I encourage others.  And one thing I have learnt is that God never changes; He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. It's me that has moved but I don't know what has changed.  I can only sit and read my Bible and find God's message to me.  I came across the Bible verse above and it spoke to me.  "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him." Psalm 28:7 NIV   My song is my life and I will praise Him for all He has done for me.  He has lifted me from my darkest depths and I am forever grateful.  He knows my heart and He has never left me by myself.  Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV says, "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

 That is what I was, discouraged!!!

This summer was really hard for me personally.  But I have HOPE and I know my Jesus is with me and He will not leave me to my own.  In that I have great HOPE and ENCOURAGEMENT.  My heart is over joyed knowing that even in the darkest moments; Jesus is right there with me.  And He is also right there for you.  He knows your path and He is there with you; loving and encouraging you.  I trust Him and hope that when you can't see His light in your darkest moments, you can cling to His truth and know that He is God and nothing is too big for Him.  Pray, trust, and cling to Him. 

Lord, I come to you on this hard weekend for us and pray that you keep encouraging us along our path.  It's hard to keep moving some days, but knowing I can whisper Your name and feel Your love and strength is a huge relief.  Father, I pray others will do this same practice so they too can feel Your love and hope.  Lord I pray that my life will serve as my song to You.  In Your Precious Name I pray..Amen

 

Our last time at the US Nationals together.