A Modern-Day Parable/Chapter Three

It was a bitter-sweet day when the father announced a new routine to his son.

"You can ride faster than I can run and I don't want to hold you back," the father said. "I want you to do the best you can and you are so very fast."

So the two developed a new plan together. Every week, they tackled a different route. The father carried a stop watch that he would start when they both took off. But the father would cover a shorter distance that insured he would finish first. Then, he would stand by at the designated finish line and would encourage his son as he raced past.

The father and son would share their experiences, talk over problems they were having with equipment or muscle strains, and plan ways to improve on their performances. The son's cycling prowess grew and he became very competitive in the field. The father was able to maintain his fitness.

And their relationship remained strong. The father thought that was the most valuable outcome of all their work together.

The day came when the son added a trailer to the back of his bicycle and introduced an enthusiastic little rider into his and his father's routine. She loved the wind whipping past her face and the thrill of moving fast. And the father--now a grandfather--would do his speed walking and then stand at the finish line and cheer the duo on.

And so goes life. You start out pushing and coaching and encouraging. Then you move to coaching and encouraging. And you end by encouraging. You end well by encouraging.

A Modern-Day Parable/Chapter Two

It wasn't long before the son graduated to wheels he could power himself.

His father saw this as an exciting opportunity. He bought him the biggest bike his son could handle and equipped him with training wheels, helmet, elbow and knee guards.

The running sessions slowed down for awhile, with the dad giving instructions, pushing and steering at the same time. When his son was able, the father would run ahead and encourage his son who steered on his own and peddled as fast as he could to keep up.

But his dad was always encouraging, telling his son that soon he would be cycling as fast as his father could run. Sure enough, it wasn't long before his son could keep up with him. He grew through several bikes and eventually people would see the pair moving together through the neighborhood side by side.

At times, the son would move out in front of his dad. Afterall, why have 24 gears if you can't use them. But, he always stayed close. At times, the father would ask the son to pick the route of the day. He liked the excitement of seeing his son make new choices and take the lead. And he always encouraged his son with praise when the route was tough or exciting or new.

For many years, they moved together like this--the father running and the son cycling. But time takes a toll and eventually the father realized he could no longer keep up. His slowing pace was holding up his son's progress.

A Modern-Day Parable/Chapter One

There was a man who loved to run. Every day he managed to break a sweat covering his favorite routes. For him, it was more than exercise. It was time to think, time away from the routine. It was a way to push his limits, to expand his horizons. It was a way to expand his world, to explore places people normally experienced in a slight glance from the car.

The man was also the father of a boy. He loved his son and determined to include him in his favorite pass time.

He began when his son was very young, pushing him in a sports stroller. His son took to running--or, rather, riding--right away. He really liked the wind in his face, the rush of the wheels under his feet, and the words his father would speak in between heavy breaths.

It wasn't long before the son was meeting his dad at the door at their appointed time, with his outdoor clothes and miniature tennis shoes in tow. Rain or shine, the two would hit the pavement together.


The father would talk with his son about where they would explore that day. He'd tell him why he slowed at certain points and sped up at others. He'd show him familiar spots where significant events happened. He taught his son as he pushed forward, sharing his hurts, his hopes, his doubts and his encouragements.

The day came, though, when his son outgrew the carriage and their routine had to change.