When I was in junior high school, a buddy of mine invited me to join the on campus Christian Club.  Realizing that students who participated in an on campus club got a “go to lunch 5 minutes early” pass, I jumped at the offer.  Our lunch lines were horrendous!  The student-led club was basically a Bible study that met once a week, with the occasional guest speaker thrown in.  I wasn’t raised in the church, but I was struck by the good company and became interested in what the big deal was about God and church and stuff.

This buddy of mine then invited me to attend church with him.  So, on Sunday mornings, he would bike to my house and then the two of us would pedal through the morning fog for Sunday services.  It was on one of these treks that my friend realized I did not own a Bible.  A few days later, my friend passed down his own well-worn Bible.  The dedication page was covered in white-out, and over the crusty paste he had written my name as the owner of the Bible and scrawled his name on the “From” line.

In high school, this friend of mine and I went our separate ways - but his friendship certainly left a legacy.  To this day, he is the reason I was saved.  He planted a seed that took root in my heart and blossomed as I grew older.  I held on to the Bible he gave me well into my college years, and every time I opened it up, I thought about his friendship and how important those years were.

I hadn’t thought about this guy in years, but recently he came to mind.  I decided a Facebook search was in order - and I struck gold.  The friend request was sent and approved, and I immediately went to his page to send him a note.  I wanted him to know the fruits of the seed he planted.  I wanted to take the opportunity to do what not many believers get to do - thank the person that saved them.  I wanted him to know he had a brother in me.

Instead, I noticed that he became a Buddhist.  He’s certainly educated - he’s earned a Ph.D in Philosophy, and appears to have heart for a variety of great causes (yes, I’m in total Facebook stalker mode right now.  Admit it, we’ve all been there!).  I was saddened when I realized he is not a Christian.  And I’m struck at how God can use men and women (and boys and girls) in ways we don’t expect.  

I still sent him the note - I wanted him to know the impact he had on my life.  I just pray that someday I’ll now be able to return the favor.