Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: ACT (05/05/22)
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TITLE: For Friendship’s Sake | Previous Challenge Entry
By Stephen Kimball
05/12/22 -
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He straightened his tie, brushed back his graying hair, and steeled himself for what was coming. Guests were already filing in and soon he and his wife and daughter would have to make their way inside.
Matt’s youngest child, Brandon, has always been mature for his age. Mentally, he was near the top of his class and was entering the University of Georgia as a Junior after already completing his AA degree while in high school.
Physically, he was tall, clean-cut, and strikingly handsome. A gifted athlete, he was recruited to play baseball and football but chose instead to concentrate on academics as he planned to follow in his father’s footsteps as a medical doctor.
Spiritually, Brandon was a Christian and genuinely committed to living out his faith. He, along with a buddy of his, had even started a Bible club at school that had grown to be very popular on campus. This, as opposed to his athletic achievements, was the legacy he was most proud of as he graduated from Eastside High.
Finally, it was time for the Edmunds to take their seats. Matt had thought he was ready until he stepped into the sanctuary from the side door and beheld the entire 1,100 seat auditorium filled with people. So many people…who were they all, he wondered.
His heart was empty at the loss of his son, but this outpouring of support and love for Brandon was overwhelming. Person after person stood on the stage and told their story of how Brandon had touched their lives.
Now it was Matt’s turn. He stood quietly at the podium; utter silence filled the building.
“Brandon has, as many of you have testified today, a charming, charismatic personality. He attracted people. I asked him one time…he had just made his first start at quarterback for the varsity team. I said, ‘How can you know if someone is really your friend or if they just want to be seen hanging out with the quarterback.’ He thought for a moment, ‘you just have to give people the benefit of the doubt, Dad.’
But I took the opportunity to challenge him. I told him if he really wanted to be sure of people’s motives, that he should take the initiative to meet new people, and that he should extend himself as a friend first. I told him to try to make friends simply for friendship’s sake, with no ulterior motive — not even in order to share Christ with them.
And do you know, he took that advice to heart. We’ve already heard from some of you today. As it turns out, he had a lot of true friends. My heart is shattered, but this is healing, this is good. Thank you for being here today...”
Brandon was running laps on the track at UGA with his ROTC unit when his heart suddenly arrested. He was unable to be revived. He passed away a few days after his 19th birthday, leaving a legacy of love and inspiration in his wake.
*Based on a true story
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