A Time of Failure

Steve was an awesome counselor. He counseled at the camp that I use to work at the first two years that I was a counselor...almost 30 years ago. That's hard to believe. Back then the camp session lasted from Sunday to Sunday. In order to wash their clothes and take care of business half the counselors got off on Thursday and half the counselors got off on Friday. We were allowed to leave right after lunch and had to be back before supper. The usual schedule was head to the "Wishy Washy", put in a load of clothes, then head over to Pizza Hut. I remember one time we were late getting back. We jumped in the car and raced back to camp. The road back was very curvy but Steve was from the area and knew the roads. Needless to say he went very fast in his small car. Martin, the other passenger, and I almost cowered on the floorboard thinking we would crash at any time. I had bought a pizza for the kids in my cabin. By the time I got it back to the campers it was a mess. They enjoyed it anyway. Those were good times.

Over the years I lost track of Steve. I heard that he had gone to college and, then, had gotten a job in social work. Later we moved to the area to work at the camp full time and have lived in this town now for almost 15 years. When we first moved here, I saw a man go into church to visit the ladies cooking for the Wednesday night supper. I thought he looked familiar. I found out later that it was Steve. I mentioned that I would have to look him up and get together with him.

We ended up joining a church and found that Steve's parents were also members. Steve had begun going to another church years earlier so I almost never saw him, but was able to ask his parents how he was doing and keep up with him. His parents always encouraged me to give him a call. Steve was diagnosed with a serious disease, but seemed to be holding his own. He was single and needed a good friend.

There were other contacts with Steve. I would see him here or there but never had a chance to talk with him. It was always someplace where we weren't able to take the time to chat. I kept saying to myself how I needed to invite him out for lunch sometime and catch up.

Steve passed away last year.

I never got the chance to get together with my old friend. I was never told him that I was praying for him. I wasn't able to encourage him. I failed.

Don't be like me. Don't fail someone else. Call that person that you have neglected to call. Whether it's a friend, relative or whomever. Let them know that you are praying for them and that you love them. You never know when it will be too late.

Tomorrow's Post - A Time of Hope