Wisdom from the Off-Road

Funny how things your kids are internalizing evidence themselves in everyday conversations. Take our family outing to the Off-Road Races at the Hudsonville Fair this week. I was sitting between Caleb and Micah on the top row of the lower set of bleachers with a view of the first dirt ramp in front of us. On the other side of the track, a car had gotten hung up on the bank and the others were taking the opportunity to gain ground and speed past it. Caleb leaned over to me and said, "If I were driving, and someone got their car stuck on the side, I would slow down and bump them with my car to help them get loose. Because helping other people is more important than winning. Having compassion makes you a real champion, not winning a race." Well, it seems my son does not have much of a future as an off-road racer...but it's one life lesson I hope he keeps believing. That showing care for others is more important than material things or social status.

We had a wonderful family evening that night. Lots of laughter and simply enjoying each other. It brought back such memories of when my parents took us to the same fairgrounds thirty years ago. As we were leaving, walking hand-in-hand through the crowd I remembered walking hand-in-hand with my dad leaving those grandstands. I remembered how I tried to match my steps to his; the length of stride, the pace, the little bounce he had in each step. I had forgotten about that brief pause and bounce preceeding each new step. Dad hasn't walked like that for over two years now. Now I see him walking with a limp; some days rather slight, other days resembling a stagger. But God is showing me things about Dad's spiritual walk. As his physical strides struggle at times, his spiritual walk grows only closer to the God he is leaning on for daily strength and delight. The thought crossed my mind that I want to have my spiritual steps match my father's steps. I want to be wholly committed to serving God and to trust in Him no matter what touches my life. Who would have anticipated that the races would have challenged and blessed me so?