NASCAR Drivers Taking it One Day at a Time

Cristy Lane sang it well many years ago.

One day at a time sweet Jesus 

That's all I'm asking from you. 

Just give me the strength 

To do everyday what I have to do. 

Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus 

And tomorrow may never be mine. 

Lord help me today, show me the way 

One day at a time.   

This week has been a rough one for the NASCAR family.  And just as a family rallies together to face challenges, the NASCAR family is coming together for their own to face their challenges one day at a time.

The week started with news that Brian Vickers had developed more blood clots and would have to again begin taking blood thinners.  This would mean he couldn't drive for Michael Waltrip Racing where he had just returned after missing the first two races of the year because of a recent heart surgery.

Vickers shared his story.  After experiencing some pain in his chest, he went to the doctor.

"I did have small clots.  It was still early stage.  I was going to be back on blood thinners for at least three months and then try to figure out what's next from there."

When asked if he would be returning to the #55 if he is cleared for racing, Vickers replied,

 "Well, if I am able to race, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else than the Aaron's Dream Machine.  I've been very blessed to have this opportunity the last couple years to be in the 55 Camry and the opportunity to work with Aarons and bring in new partners."

"I've got to get through today and tomorrow and then we'll work about what's next and what's after that."


Vicker's news was followed very closely by an announcement from Joe Gibbs Racing that J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR, had been diagnosed with "symptoms impacting areas of brain function."

The NASCAR family was quick to lend their support to one of the premier teams in NASCAR.  

"All members of the NASCAR and France family extend our thoughts and prayers to J.D. Gibbs and his loved ones.  We've all watched J.D. grow up within our community, and he always has represented himself, his family, the entire Joe Gibbs Racing organization and NASCAR with the utmost professionalism, enthusiasm and energy.  We wish him the best during this time and eagerly anticipate his recovery."

Saturday, March 28  Kyle Larson, Sprint Cup driver for Chip Ganassi who was Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year in 2014,  fainted during an afternoon autograph session.  Although he was alert and awake on the way to the hospital, Larson was going to be checked out by doctors at a local hospital.  At the time I'm writing this, there has been no additional news of Larson's condition.  

One day at a time is all we are promised.  One day at a time is how we have to live because we don't know what tomorrow will bring.  

Our prayers go out for these three members of the NASCAR family.  And for all of you are are facing your own challenges this week.

Faith Works its Quiet Work in our Lives

One of the most touching stories about Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s concerns his win at the Daytona 500 in 2014.

Stevie Waltrip, wife of famed NASCAR driver and FOX announcer Darrell Waltrip, has a quiet ministry to encourage Dale Earnhardt Junior.  She writes out a Bible verse for Junior to place in his race car for encouragement.

Stevie Waltrip's habit of giving a Bible verse started with Dale's father.  Each week she supplied Dale Senior with a verse to place on the dash of his race car while he race in the weekly NASCAR race.

Darrell Waltrip tells the story here.  Stevie started giving her husband a verse on duct tape or a note card each week for his car.  When Dale Earnhardt Sr. saw this, he asked, "Where's mine?"

From that point on, Stevie provided a verse for him as well.  She spent time praying each week for which verse to write out.

The Bible verse given to Junior this past week an it was placed on his car dash was Isaiah 40:28-31

 Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. joined the Twitter world as he promised to do if he won the Daytona 500.  This week we have had an unprecedented look into the world of Junior.  He is using Twitter at rate of dozens of posts each day.

So the quiet ministry of Stevie Waltrip became public to the half-million Twitter followers of Junior.
What is your quiet ministry?  A little action, done for good, can effect the life of one person or may effect the life of countless others.

Please share your quiet ministry with us.