Last month Chad was running in the Chicago marathon and about halfway fell dead. Today is his birthday and I’d like to take a moment and share a few things that I learned from his life and death.

• As important as I think my job is, it’s never more important than people. Chad was always there for me, always. I wish I would have slowed down and not allowed the summer to rush by so quickly.
  
• Being a good husband means loving my wife more than myself, all the time…yes, even when I don’t feel like it. Chad loved his wife with every ounce of him, all the time.
  
• God really can turn pain into something beautiful. Chad always wondered how he could play a bigger part in his wife’s ministry. Now that he is gone the attention he raised has opened doors bigger than anyone imagined.
  
• Never take tomorrow for granted. Chad was very young, he had a big life ahead…and though it seems to have been cut short, he made the most of every day that he lived.
  
• Leave a legacy.  Over 1,000 people showed up for Chad’s funeral. I believe that is for the simple reason is that he was a man who lived it. People saw Christ through him. He no longer walks the earth in body, but his legacy has stuck with me, my family, friends, strangers all around.
  

I miss my friend, but his friendship leaves a mark on my life that will remain forever.  Happy birthday Chad.