Chapter 3 "A Grief Observed"

"What sort of a lover am I to think so much about my affliction and so much less about hers? Even the insane call, 'Come back,' is all for my sake." This quote in Chapter 3 makes me examine my close relationships. Are they only to satisfy my desires, or can they be used to positively affect more people?
     Ron an ex-professional, golfer, and ex-Division I golf coach at South Missouri State came to Winston-Salem, North Carolina because God called him to pastor junior high students at a local church. While Ron was there he grew spiritually and endured many hardships. The biggest setback for Ron was when his second daughter was born with many physical and mental disabilities. While Ron was in Winston, he befriended one of his jr. high students. This student in particular was nothing special in himself, but Ron saw something in him that was special. The kid did not know why Ron invested so much in him but nonetheless, the kid gladly accepted his friendship. This kid had a huge dream to become a professional golfer and Ron believed in the kid's dream. One thought that kept coming to the kid's mind was, "why does Ron care and invest so much in me even though he has a disabled daughter?" Many hours were spent on the golf course and driving range pursuing the kid's dream. Little did he know that Ron was investing in something much more than his dream. Ron used the kid's dream as a catalyst to deepen their relationship- a 33 year old man became the jr high student's best friend. Because of this friendship, the kid grew closer to God.
     The kid is now a college student. Although the dream remains the same, the focus has shifted because something occurred. Ron moved to Indonesia with his family, including his handicapped daughter. While there spreading the gospel to an unreached tribe, he was murdered.
     I am the kid that was talked about in this story. Ron, and everything described in this story is true, except his murder in Thailand. In January 2011, Ron is moving to Indonesia as a missionary. His main mission-to spread the gospel message to lost people. Reading chapter 3 made me think about this relationship because if Ron died I might act in the same way as C.S. Lewis did. As I read chapter 3, I think of how Ron has been so unselfish by befriending me back in 5th grade. Yet, my thoughts react selfishly, even though every action he has demonstrated towards me has been unselfish. In the end I'd like not to be as selfish as C.S. Lewis describes himself to be in chapter 3, who out of his own need wanted to hold back his lover from her Maker. Instead, I want to learn from this reading and allow my own wants to dwindle in comparison to my love for the greater outcome of Ron's life.