Why me ?? a race photographer’s open letter to a young driver

An open letter to a young race-car driver 

   I know this has not been the kind of day you would have chosen. Among other things, a wrong choice by a crew member in your car’s set-up, resulted in slow qualifying times for  you , forcing you to start 19th of 24 cars. 

   When I talked to you in the pit about your slow qualifying times, you didn’t mention his mistake, or complain about the crew member.  But I’m not surprised you didn’t place the blame on someone else, because I’ve noticed before, your attitudes of calmness and respect,   which must be a refelection of your upbringing. Now things have only gotten worse, as a result of a 10 car crash on the first lap that destroyed several cars including yours . 

   From where I’m photographing the race,  I can see you inside the turn 4 wall, beginning to dismantle much of your own wrecked car, so it will fit in your enclosed hauler, and I can feel the dissappoinment you must endure….. Still, your peaceful ( and professional ) attitude is evident to me. While the race resumes, you face the ‘where do I begin ?’ task at hand, in a manner that could be televised Nationally without embarrassment to your team. I occasionally glance in your direction, and when another caution flag is out I think of walking over and giving you a word of encouragement, that Jesus loves you…and then it happens…. God must have read my mind, because I see ‘your’ young lady who had been standing back watching, go over, kneel down, and gently rub your back, as you continue turning a wrench Jesus most always works through others, and seeing His kind of support through her, I knew you would be o.k.

  I never did get a chance to see you after the race, but I did see your lady and asked how you were.  She told me you were not hurt, and as I asked her to give you my encouragement in the Lord, she said that you asked the typical question in these circumstances ” Why Me ? “ The answer, I think, is because you were racing, and in racing, crashes happen for many reasons….and you were there…where you wanted to be.   I doubt if God objected to your racing….. This is not the kind of thing God would cause, if indeed that is where your question was directed.  In reality, there are so many potential causes in every race, that His ability to  ‘ mess you up ‘ is not neccessary !   Surely, you will start hundreds of races in your future, have hundreds of first laps and I would bet none will ever be as bad for you as this one.  I hope though, that this one becomes the one that causes you to ALWAYS make a personal connection with God every time you get into the racecar and put your helmet on .   Everytime, not just for the race starts, but for safety in practice, and the right skills, decisions, and protection in qualifying and racing.  EVERY time…because God blesses faithfullness I know if you drive like Jesus, with the Fruits of the Spirit*, you’ll always do better than if you don’t !!! .  When you realize that, and always give God the Glory…including for todays’s race for getting you through the crash, and having the ‘right’ lady in your support. 

ALWAYS..because God blesses faithfullness Ultimately,  all who think often of Almighty God, are Winners  !!! 

(c) 2002  www.focusonjesus.net

* Gal 5:22  LOVE JOY PEACE PATIENCE KINDNESS GOODNESS GENTLENESS FAITHFULLNESS  SELF-CONTROL