“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and He brought them to their desired haven.”—Psalm 107:28-30 NIV
For years our family traveled extensively in order for my oldest son to chase his dream of being a pro motocross (mx) competitor. He had a love for adrenaline and made it his mission to prevail in every challenge. He had wisdom and skill that exceeded his years. The sport brought him joy, and my husband and I were so very proud of him. I’ll admit that my pride was shadowed by fear so I relied on prayer to calm this mother’s terrors.
Even though my son had invested much of who he was in mx, I would often tell him that mx is what we do—not who we are. I did that because, tragically, this sport can change your life in a split second. I didn’t want my son to define everything about himself by a sport that had the potential to chew him up and spit him out.
The rigorous schedule, demanding physical condition and stamina, bruises, broken bones, sacrifices—not to mention there’s only a small window in which you’re able to earn a living and, for the majority, a meager living at that.
We competed at a national level and, even though the circuit covers the entire United States, the same families showed up consistently. You get to know them and their children. You watch your kids play with their kids. I used to love watching them hang together off the track and then transform into competitors on the track. I marveled at their ability to separate the two. When you spend that much time with people, sharing in victory and pain, you are bonded forever.
Even if you don’t hang out at other families’ campers every weekend, when one of the mx families hurts, you hurt too. If their child is injured, you feel it. As one big family, we’ve experienced immense tragedy both with life loss and quality-of-life loss.
But there are so many, many wonderful experiences and lessons learned through mx. I truly believe this and have shared this with my son on multiple occasions. He has applied the same skills and lessons he learned on that track to life in general. Obstacles in life and obstacles on the track. Unpredictable situations on the track and off. Strategy for success every single lap of the track and strategy to accomplish goals and dreams away from the track. I still see in him that fierce determination to solve, equip, or overcome.
I, too, learned some of my most valuable lessons at the track. I received a deep revelation in an everyday experience countless times.
I remember one lesson in particular, like it was yesterday. I stood in mud up to my calves the entire weekend. Racing in the mud wasn’t uncommon, but this particular weekend was the gateway to the big show. The stress alone made me clench my jaw so tight that my face ached. This was the final moto in a 3-moto format. In short, my son had to protect his overall standing to earn one of seven spots that would advance him to the largest Amateur Motocross National in the United States.
I asked the Lord to wrap my son in His angel armor, something I had been doing since he drew his first breath. I asked for a solid hedge of protection around him. I prayed all of the riders would finish safely, and I verbally spoke, “Lord, give my son everything he needs in order to accomplish all You desire of him.” Show him who You are out there in these conditions.
The gate dropped and a liquid roost shot from behind forty-two motorcycles as they struggled to get beyond the start gate. I kept my eye on my son; I knew he would be the same color as every other rider by the time they got to the first turn. Riders were falling against him beating his back tire, banging on his front tire, and sliding out of control around him. He squeezed past a major pileup and broke free into the first turn.
As he went on to earn one of the seven coveted positions, I knew his success had been largely due to his start. Watching that fierce battle unfold with all its unpredictability, slippery terrain, and forces outside of his control impacting his every move, I felt as though I had been passed a love note.
I felt my sweet Daddy, aka Jesus, impress upon my mind and heart, “Sweet daughter, you watch Me work in your circumstance. There’s nothing I can’t handle. I’ll use every force against you to move you forward into victory!”
I watched the battle unfold before my own eyes. Satan can beat and bang all he wants, but he’s not going to be successful if we wrap ourselves in prayer.
NOW LIVE LOVED and THRIVE!
Self-Reflection
These questions are in no way a substitute for healthcare professionals or any level of professional counseling. I’m an advocate for taking care of oneself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. These questions reflect my heart, NOT my profession.
This questionnaire is an opportunity to journal your thoughts and feelings. It can serve as a launching pad on which to evaluate your heart condition as you understand it. My hope is that you will take the truths you discover about yourself and hold them up to the Light to evaluate them against who God says you are.
- What battle do you want to see with supernatural eyes?
- What specifically do you want to see happening?
- In what way would it encourage you to see this happening?
- Do you believe God is fighting on your behalf?
- If yes, what are you experiencing or have experienced that gives you confidence?
- If no, what makes you feel He is withholding His love and affection from you?
Talk to God about your answers. Give Him praise, ask Him questions and then listen for His gentle response.
Take Action
Use God’s word to take control over the traumas in your life. Whenever you feel terrorized by your thoughts take them captive by replacing them with the truth of God’s promises in His word.
Here is a scripture for you to print, cut and carry with you and/or post in places where you will see it often. Ground yourself in God’s truths not Satan’s attacks. Encourage your heart and mind every time you are reminded of His great love for YOU!
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and He brought them to their desired haven.”—Psalm 107:28-30 (ESV)
Read God’s word and say to yourself:
No matter how bad things get, God has power AND authority over it all. He will quiet the storm or He will quiet me. Either way, He will deliver me into safety and victory.
