“Gentlemen (and ladies) start your engines!” were the words I heard—for the first time in many years—when I attended the Coke Zero 400 NASCAR Race at Daytona this weekend with my brother. Growing up in Illinois, it was a childhood memory for me to go to the stock car races, with my family, in the small town nearby on the weekends. I loved hearing the famous words, “Gentlemen, start your engines” and then hearing the roar! The words still make my heart beat fast today. I had a great time at the race, despite all the rain, and I learned some important life lessons, as well.
After 112 laps, the race was stopped due to rain. Initially, officials were waiting to see if the rain was going to stop and the race could be continued or would it downpour and thus have to end the race. It was during this lapsed time or waiting period that the news crew interviewed NASCAR driver Danica Patrick. She was in 8th place in the race and at one point in the interview, she said the words (my paraphrase of what I recall her saying), “I’m really just running this race being patient. It’s not work when you run it that way.” Wow! Those words so struck a cord with me. I understood what she was saying. To me, she was saying, that she wasn’t fighting hard to be in first place or to be in the lead. She was just driving her best and enjoying the race. She went on to say that, “she was happy with finishing in the top 10; she felt good about that!” I thought to myself, there are so many life lessons for us in what she said!
In applying this to my life, I thought about how many things, people, and situations I am praying about and the many times God has seemed to say to my heart, [Tammy]be patient, I’m working. Yet, being patient seems like hard work to me! I had to stop and ask myself, why is that? I think it is because when I am struggling to be patient and waiting on God to work things out, at the root of that is that I am really struggling to let go of control. I am wanting things my way etc., instead of sitting back and letting God do His work, in my life and the lives of others, and trusting Him and His ways and His timing.
Regarding “not fighting to be in the lead,” what a huge lesson for us as wives. Don’t we do that; fight our husbands for leadership in the home?! That’s work and causes so much tension. What peace there is in the marriage relationship and in the home when we give our husbands their rightful place.
Not fighting hard to be in first place, makes me think of myself without there being a need to be perfect, i.e., Tammy stop trying so hard to be perfect all the time and just do your best and enjoy the race/the journey of life.
Danica was in 8th place and felt being in the top ten was good! She was content with her position, her progress, and her accomplishment. It was huge to me, that there was no mention from her or from the interviewer about a mishap she had earlier in the race when she overran her pit stall, on one of her pit stops. This was an important lesson for me, for I often focus on my mishaps, errors, mistakes made etc., instead of seeing my progress and the good, right things I am doing. And as a result, it robs me of my joy, peace and contentment. I fail to rejoice at how well I may be doing etc. Danica’s example speaks volumes to me and spurs me on to greater growth in this area of my life.
Daughter of the King, is there any area in your life where you need to be patient and thus be free?! Be patient, trusting that God is working! Do your best, enjoy the race, be content and happy with your progress and accomplishments! You are doing well!
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1- 3 (NIV)
This little book is a profound demonstration of God’s power and of true faith in action. It is a guidebook for learning how to pray Scripture, filled with eighty-nine weekly Prayer Sheets for your marriage — eighty-nine pages of power that will change your life and the lives of all those around you, as you too learn to always pray and not give Up!
Testimonials
“Praying Scripture is the most powerful and effective way to pray for your marriage. It can be a daunting task to search out all the passages that apply, though. In this book, Tammy has done the hard work for us in compiling a beautiful arrangement of God's attributes along with verses to pray for myself, as a wife, and verses to pray over my husband and marriage. The Lord has used many of these passages to bear fruit in my own life and marriage."
Mariel Davenport , Author
Knowing God Through His Names
A Housewife Desperate for God
“Tammy Rentsch is passionate about prayer. She prays faithfully and frequently. She is also committed to loving her spouse enough to pray for their marriage. Read this book and you will be equipped and encouraged to pray consistently and powerfully for your marriage with the Scriptures as your guide.”
Brian D. Russell
Professor of Biblical Studies
Dean, School of Urban Ministries
Asbury Theological Seminary
What is written in this book began for me over 30 years...
Do you need to change your perspective on some things...