My Running Buddy

One of my good friends got sick a few weeks ago.

His name is Don; some of you know him as Dr. Lichi.  Many know him as counselor, teacher, author, preacher and friend.  For me he's Running Buddy.

Running Buddy is the guy who gets up at 4:30 am, so he can meet me at the trail at 5:00 am.  Running Buddy doesn't care how I smell.  He doesn't brush his teeth before the run, and he doesn't care whether or not I brush mine.  It doesn't bother him if I puke on the trail, cuz' he knows he just might puke on the trail.

Running Buddy shares.  He brings an extra bottle of water just in case I forgot (I always forget).  He'll give me his other dry T-shirt after the run on rainy or very hot days.  When it's dark, running buddy shares his flashlight; so we don't go splash in the Cuyahoga River.  Sometimes Running Buddy buys breakfast at Hamburger Station.  Yes, he even shares his vaseline if necessary; that's true friendship! (you'll know why that's important once you are forty).


My Running Buddy gives sacrificially.  If I can't make it all the way, he runs to the car and comes back to pick me up.  He runs on days he doesn't really feel like it, because it'll make me and other friends run too.  Running Buddy never quits.  I told him it would be wise to do so a few times - not my Running Buddy - nope! 


The fact that my Running Buddy got sick got me to thinkin'.  My thoughts were not very helpful at first. I asked God just exactly what it was He thought He was doing to allow my Running Buddy to get sick.  


God responded by talking to my spirit; sometimes He does that.  He asked me if the Running Buddy was mine or His.  I had to admit that I didn't own my Running Buddy and that God did.  


Then He ask me who it was that could take better care of my Running Buddy, me or Him.  "Well...You can, God, " I had to admit.


Finally, He asked me, "Would you trust Me with your Running Buddy, since I love him more than anyone else can?"  "...OK," I said with some hesitation.


"After all," said God, "Wasn't I the One who gave you the Running Buddy as a gift in the first place?"  I had forgotten that.


So I trusted the Running Buddy God gave me back to Him.  That got me to thinkin' some better thoughts, like a Scripture verse we've talked about before.  Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take."


God has really been helping the Running Buddy in recent days.  And in the process, He is teaching me more about prayer, so we better have one!


Dear Lord, teach us all what it means to trust You.  Help us know that You love most and best.  Continue to be with my Running Buddy by "strengthening Him with power by Your Holy Spirit in his inner being."  So be it, Lord! Amen.


Proud of you,
Pastor Wilson


Ps Sorry I haven't been writing here as much over the last month.  I will get back at it!