Labor Day Memories!!

HAPPY LABOR DAY!!!

Another summer is coming to a close. The old saying that the years go by faster the older you get is so true isn't it?  I can't believe it's already September 2017.  Life happens fast.

Some of you may not be aware, but I live in close proximity to Indianapolis, Indiana.  We are dubbed the "Racing Capital of the World'.  And having lived here my whole life I can attest that it's true.  We have the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that is incredible just in track size and activities that are hosted every year.  We have the Greatest Spectacle in Racing;  The Indianapolis 500.  Nascar shows up a couple of months later for the Brickyard 400.

And then a small town to the west of Indianapolis named Clermont houses our drag strip that every Labor Day drag racers from all across the world come for what they nicknamed the Big Go, which is put on by the NHRA. The true name is U.S. Nationals and it's the crown jewel of drag racing.  Every drag racer dreams of winning this event; others dream of being on a team that competes there.

One of these men was my late husband Kirk.  He is in the red shirt in the above picture.  He loved drag racing. Labor Day every year consisted of us going to Clermont to watch the US Nationals. And then one year a couple of years before he suddenly went Home, he got a chance to work on an alcohol funny car.  He found a gentleman that was asking for help so Kirk reached out to him and he gave Kirk a chance.  Kirk didn't walk into the adventure without experience.  He had helped his uncle when they lived northwest of Houston build and race a dragster and then they built and raced a Camaro at a local drag strip here in Indy.  Helping this guy at the U.S. Nationals was a HUGE deal for Kirk.  He was tired but had a huge smile on his face when he came home each night.  It was so great seeing him get to live out a dream.  Looking back on it now, it's one of the best memories I have of Kirk.  Remembering his smile through an exhausted face is priceless.

I bet you have similar memories of your beloved.  Having those memories are a special gift that we are left with.  I believe that God gives us these memories to help us to remember happiness and joy.  I know it's hard to feel happiness and joy on most days, but remember that God created us to feel these emotions.  He wants us to be happy and joyful beings.  John 15:10-11 NIV says, "If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in His love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." 

When I look at the picture above, my heart overflows with joy for Kirk.  Not many people get a chance to live out their dream and there he is, working on a top alcohol funny car.  This is a hard weekend for us.  Our memories are of Kirk either physically being at the race or watching it live on tv.  But we have those special memories of being at the track together, meeting drivers, and witnessing the loudest and fastest vehicles you will ever see and feel.  And by feel I mean the tremble you feel down in your chest and the hair on your arms stand.  Amazing machines!!

Take some time today and in the next week and think of those special memories you have of your spouse.  Let those special memories bring a smile to your face and let that joy and hope invade your heart.  God promises us joy, hope, and love; it's there for us.  Romans 15:13 NIV tells us, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." 

Tap into that power!!  Let hope, peace, and joy overflow within you and trust that God has a plan for you.  I know it's not the plans you had for you and your family, but trust that God's plans are good because they are!!!  Jeremiah 29:11 NIV states, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Trust God!! 

I pray that you all have a relaxing and restful holiday!! 

Lord, thank you for blessing me beyond measure.  Thank you for these special memories that I can share about Kirk.  Thank you for blessing me with 23 years of knowing and loving him and being able to share his moment in the sun at the Nationals.  I pray that my sister widows can remember their beloveds and find joy, hope and peace!!  It's in Your Precious Name I pray Amen!!