The Praise Report is a faith-filled newsletter that delivers positivity and encouragement straight to your inbox. Subscribe at ConstantPraise.org.

I survived a ride without a seat belt

God created men to live a life of passion, freedom, and adventure.

John Eldredge

​

A favorite memory of mine revolves around summer trips from upstate New York to Vermont to visit my grandparents. Charles and Gerda Barber would meet my mom and me somewhere around halfway between Whitney Point, New York and Shoreham, Vermont. Specifically, my memory involves sitting up front and in between my grandparents on the center console for the entire multi-hour drive to the small town along Vermont Route 22A. No car seat, no seatbelt, just a great time talking about the previous school year with my grandparents.

So, why would such a random memory pop into my head? I believe it is more than a loving memory I had of my grandparents. I think it may have been specific to a yearning deep inside me to break free from the stifling safety culture we all live in. A memory of when I lived in a carefree era, when nobody got overly concerned about keeping a child in a car seat until they reached a certain weight. I sat in the front of my grandparent's car—not even in a seat—and at the time didn't think anything of it. And I survived.

In John Eldredge's book, "Wild at Heart," he points out that 'God created men to live a life of passion, freedom, and adventure.' Oh, how quickly we can lose all three!

Who is ready to return to the life God created for them? It's not too late.

​

About the Author:

Mike Barber

Mike is an Air Force veteran, full-time communicator, and part-time tennis teaching professional. He lives on the Outer Banks of North Carolina with his wife, daughter, and brothers and sisters in Christ. Connect with Mike at mike@mikebarber.life or his website www.mikebarber.life.

To read past issues of the Praise Report, visit ConstantPraise.org.

If you would like to tip your writer, you may do so via Venmo (@mcbtennis).