A Simple Life Lesson

Saturday night I was flipping through the channels. I stopped on the golf channel. I don't know why I stopped there. I don't play golf. It's one of those sports that I think would make me cuss more. Anyway... One of the guys at the golf desk was talking about something they were doing. It may have been a contest. It might not have been. But, they were asking people to send in life lessons their dads had taught them on the golf course. I thought that was a cool idea.

Yesterday Sam and I went to the Ionia State Game area for the first trail ride of the year. It's a little gentler terrain for Sam than a couple of the spots closer to home. We had a great time. We had about a mile and a half to go, and I was thinking about the "life lessons taught by dad on the golf course" segment. I was wondering if Sam would ever take anything away from our rides or things we do together.

We loaded up our bikes and started heading home. I called Jean and gave her our estimated arrival time. When I got off the phone Sam had this really sad look on his face. "What's the matter, Sam?" I asked. "I wish we were still mountain biking," he said. "Why is that?" I asked. He answered, "Because you are my best buddy."

If Sam never learns anything riding with me, he keeps teaching me important things.

Having a Sherpa

Wow. The second friend post in as many days.

Everyone should have a friend who is a sherpa. My sherpa friend helped me carry some things today. He also helped me unpack some things.

He got the nickname sherpa because he carried most of another guy's gear on a backpacking trip because the guy blew chunks. That is the way Johnny is. He carries a guy's load. He doesn't just carry the physical load either. He helps carry the spiritual and emotional load. I honestly think he would die if he didn't help. He's so cool.

Thanks for taking the load today my brother. And, thanks for helping me unpack my load so that I could carry it again.

Not Sure Why

I've been scratching my head for the past several weeks wondering why God brought him into my life. He didn't come from where most of my friends come from – our church. He is passionate about loving Christ, loving his wife, and loving his three boys. We hit it off as soon as we met a year ago. And right now, at the twilight of our time here, God continues to take this friendship to deeper levels. I don't understand why now. But, I'm not complaining. It's good. Really good. It's just one of those things, though, that may break my heart when it is time to leave him.

Rejoice with Those who Rejoice

Today that seemed easier said than done. I was trying to rejoice with my boss as he described the trip he is leaving for tomorrow to the Virgin Islands with his family. His wife drives a BMW. Jean lost her job a couple of weeks ago, and we share a car that we were given for a dollar.

I was really wrestling with rejoicing for him. Telling God it was hard to rejoice. God said it was okay for me to rejoice because He has big plans for me. His plans for me go beyond the four walls of this unrewarding job, or an island vacation. For that, I can rejoice.