Tag Archives: Iditarod Sled Dog Race

Sunday Scripture — An Intentional Bump

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by Sandy Kirby Quandt

The first year I attended the Iditarod Sled Dog Race Conference for Teachers in Anchorage, Alaska, the first Teacher on the Trail, Finney,  told of an airplane ride she and several of the Iditarod dogs took with the Iditarod Air Force from a remote check-point to Anchorage, Alaska.

Seems the dogs were rather boisterous, and the pilot wished to quiet their howling. Without a word, he pulled the plane’s engine and the airplane dropped like a boulder. (If you’ve ever experienced a turbulent plane ride, you get the idea.)

Finney related how not one peep was heard for the remainder of the flight from any passenger. Four-footed, or two.

For those of us seated in the room the story was rather humorous. We could laugh because we weren’t the ones in that airplane when it dropped altitude flying over the remote frozen expanse of western Alaska.

When I recalled this story, it caused me to think about the times God pulls the engine in our lives, and it feels like the bottom of our world has fallen out from under us. We plunge into a free-fall, auguring in, not knowing when, or if, we will land safely.

And if we do make it through the landing, where will we be, and in what kind of condition?

That Iditarod Pilot needed to get the dogs’ attention during the flight. He needed them to hush up, quit complaining, and trust him to deliver them safely back to Anchorage into the care of those waiting for them.

He knew explaining things to the dogs was useless. He knew he had to do something that would grab their immediate attention…and it appears he knew exactly how to do that.

When you consider it, don’t you believe maybe that’s what God does with us sometimes when he wants to get our attention, get us to quit our complaining, and trust he’ll take care of us and deliver us safely to the other side?

Perhaps, like me, you’ve had the engine pulled many times. Do you think if we quit our howling, sit back and let God be the Pilot in Command, things might go smoother for us?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Leave a comment below. If you think others would appreciate reading this please share it through the social media buttons.

 O God my Strength! I will sing your praises, for you are my place of safety. Psalm 59:9 (TLB)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Grand Prix Lessons

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By Sandy Kirby Quandt

While Pilot and I attended our first Grand Prix race last weekend, compliments of our son, Pie who was involved with the event, I discovered several lessons which I believe we can  apply to our everyday life.

  • It pays to know the lay of the land before you set out

As this was our first time at the race Pilot and I wandered a bit before finding a great seat on Turn 2. Because of not knowing our way around, we took a side-track after the race that may have contributed to a major disappointment.

Lesson?

Study up ahead of time, no matter what it is we’re undertaking, to make the most of the moment. Be prepared.

  • Unless you want to be lapped and come in last, don’t tap your brakes before Turn 2

Every time a certain driver, who shall not be named, approached Turn 2 he slowed down before he proceeded.

Lesson?

We do that sometimes, don’t we? We’re not quite sure how to proceed. The life-turns look a little scary so we back off the gas and slow down. If we expect to win the race God’s set before us, we shouldn’t back off when the going looks frightening. Especially when we’ve been around the same turn 33 times.

  • Cautions are a time to clean the track

When the yellow flag came out the track-cleaning trucks took over. (I’m sure there’s a specific name for these trucks, but I don’t know what it it.)

Lesson?

There are times when junk gets spewed over our path that can do serious damage if we don’t stop and remove it.

  • Just because we were first yesterday doesn’t mean we’ll be first today

The driver who came in first on Saturday was the first driver to leave the race Sunday on lap two.

Lesson?

Don’t rest on our laurels. The great things we accomplished yesterday are history. Today is the present we are given to keep doing the great things God has planned for us. There’s no guarantee we’ll have a tomorrow. Do it today.

  • Every driver needs a pit crew

Oh, yeah. This is majorly important. Can you imagine a Grand Prix where the driver has to hop out, put gasoline and new tires on his car before getting back on the track?

Lesson?

We all need a support group. Not only a group who assist us physically with the flat tires of life and add gasoline when we’re running on fumes, but especially a pit crew of prayer warriors.

 

  • Even when you’re down 5 laps don’t give up

Our cautious driver from a previous point never gave up. Because of that, Pilot and I eagerly looked for him and found ourselves cheering for him the whole way.

Lesson?

Don’t give up. Never, never give up. Keep fighting. Stay in the race until the checkered flag flies.

  • You’ve got to finish the race to win

Two of my favorite drivers both hit the wall and left the race. One was knocked out on the final lap AAAGGGHHH!

Lesson?

It doesn’t matter how many times you’re in the lead going around the track, you’ve got to finish the race to win.

  • You never know what you’ll find

After the race Pilot made a wonderful discovery.  A dog sled! And a display for Iditarod musher, Dee Dee Jonrowe! One of my all time favs.

Lesson?

Keep our eyes open. The unexpected both good and bad, may catch us unaware just around the next corner.

  • Even in disappointment there can be reward

Unfortunately, Dee Dee had just left. This goes back to the first point…know the lay of the land. But…Sandra was there and she gifted me with an amazing book full of photographs taken by renowned Iditarod photographer, Jeff Schultz. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Lesson?

Don’t despair. Don’t grump. There’s no telling what treasures God may have hidden in our dark places.

  • Everybody has a fan

At the end of the race every car that passed the grand stands had cheering fans.

Lesson?

Even when it may not seem like it we’ve got a fan. Our greatest fan is Jesus who claps and cheers us on every second of every day.

  • Watch out for that pesky wall

As I mentioned earlier, my two favorite racers, except for the one who came in last ;), hit the wall and didn’t finish the race.

Lesson?

Watch out for those pesky walls that pop up and threaten to knock us out of the race. Keep our distance from the walls. Especially when others try to shove us into them.

So, there you have it. Lessons learned from my recent Grand Prix adventure.

What helps have you found that keep you on track in this race we call Life?

You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (MSG)

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject.

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Tomorrow, July 4, 2014, I am the guest blogger on Inspire a Fire. Please stop by.

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