Is It Wrong To Pray For Someone's Demise?

Every Sunday in my Sunday School class, one of the men in class is teased about a statement he made a few months ago. When asked how we know we've forgiven someone who has wronged us, my friend Tom proudly proclaimed "I realize I stopped praying for their demise".

It is a statement that brought forth riotous laughter from everyone but his embarrassed wife. And it is something that he has yet to live down. His honesty was priceless and if the rest of us followed his example, we would have to admit we all do the exact same thing. All be it silently, or not quite as proudly, we all wish for the demise of people who did us wrong.

This weekend, Jimmie Johnson is on my list of people whose demise I am not so secretly praying for. How he raced Denny Hamlin in the Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 Sunday was low class, dirty and typical for the cheater.

My Mom taught me that if I have nothing nice to say, I should say nothing at all. Sorry Mom, but I'd never be allowed to speak again if I followed that advice at this point. I am irate and it's time I speak my mind.

It's been 6 weeks and I have yet to give my opinion of a single race on the blog that I dedicated to doing just that. I have been chill and solemn, just watching and waiting. Picking my battles carefully and plotting my message diligently. Take cover...here it comes.

Have you heard the song "Gives You Hell" by the All American Rejects? It is my new all-time favorite song at this point and my current anthem. "When you see my face, hope it gives you hell, hope it gives you hell. When you walk my way, hope it gives you hell, hope it gives you hell." Well Jimmie Johnson...those words are for you. When you see your friend Denny Hamlin's face...I hope it gives you hell!

If you can't pass a guy cleanly, if you have to get him way up the race track in order to stay ahead of him in order to win, you aren't better. You're just plain dirty. Oh wait! I already knew that about the defending champion and his entire team.

While I struggle to hold my tongue and lay the hot-mess that is Jimmie Johnson out for the world to see, Denny Hamlin handled the situation with class. His interview following the incident still leaves me in awe. WOW! D Ham has matured and I am impressed. Welcome to NASCAR Mr. Hamlin...we've been waiting for you.

Anyone who knows Denny Hamlin at all knows how special Martinsville is to the Virginia native. And for him to have another victory slip through his fingers but shine like a rock star over the situation just takes my breath away.

Hamlin has nothing to complain about. That is two second place finishes in a row, he has moved up to fifth in the point standings and his chemistry with his crew chief and the entire Fed Ex crew is phenomenal. It's just a matter of time for this hungry veteran team to get that much deserved win. And once the first one comes, more will surely follow.

While my blood is still boiling and I admittedly want to high five a bearded face from the Hendrick team, I have reason to smile. My hero, none other than Denny Hamlin, has settled into his leadership role at JGR quite nicely. He's coming into his own on the race track and he is setting an example, not only for his young team mates, but for this blogger and every Denny Hamlin fan. What a difference a year makes.