It is almost a rite of passage living in the Midwest to be a racing fan. I am no exception. I went to 18 consecutive Indianapolis 500’s and have attended many other oval track events. It gets in your blood.
One thing they all have in common is the pre-race ceremonies. There are the driver introductions, the National Anthem and of course those most famous words in motor racing, “Gentleman start your engines.” There is also the convocation when a local chaplain asks God to protect all in attendance and usually thanks Him for the good weather.
This year at the Brickyard 400 the pastor did something surprisingly different. Before thousands of race fans and millions watching on TV he simply recited The Lord’s Prayer. What a moment.
You could hear a pin drop and when he finished there was not the usual applause, just silence, reverence and respect. I imagine a few left the track with a little more hope than when they first arrived. It was so powerful and unexpected I wept.
Upon hearing of the death of Lazarus,
“Jesus wept.”
John 11:35
Ever since my two heart attacks and open heart surgery I’ve become very emotional. Maybe it was the closeness I came to the other side or the thought of losing my family ties. I’m not sure but never go to a movie with me, I’ll embarrass you. Just this past weekend I watched a public television show featuring the great pop singers of the 1950’s and the tears just streamed down the cheeks of this reflective viewer. I guess I long for those simpler days and long ago memories.
Tears are a way of coping with life’s disappointments. They are used to help heal the body of sadness, rejection, pain, fear, loneliness, grief, anger and broken dreams. We are all wounded in one way or another but be assured the Father, as always, provides the answer.
Remember these words written by the Apostle John in the final book of the Bible,
“For the Lamb at the center of the throne
will be their shepherd;
he will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Revelation 7:17
Refreshing!
Manna and Coffee 
