Story by Jeff

I didn’t know John. I am a fellow mountain biker that saw his story on Facebook. When I read it, immediately my heart went out to John and his family. You see, the week after John had his accident, I too crashed on my bike. Only my case was no accident. It was a result of my foolish pride. After seeing what happened to John, the knowledge of how fortunate and blessed I was to only have broken my collarbone was immediately intensified, as the crash was violent, and my injuries could have been much worse. I had already owned up to my pride being the cause of my accident at this point but reading John’s story really drove the lesson home. I continued to pray for John and followed his story. Within a matter of days, one evening as I was praying for John, I felt overwhelmed with emotion of the situation, with tears in my eyes, and I felt led to see him and pray for him in person. So, I reached out to a friend of the family and asked if could go and pray for John, which after a time I was able to do. I had never done anything like this before. But I went to the hospital and I spent about an hour with him, praying and reading bible verses and notes friends had left to him. It was an experience I’ll never forget and a big step in the amazing growth I have experienced in my walk with God over the past few months. I’ve continued to pray for John, and I was truly saddened to hear of his passing. After reading notes at the hospital and stories from his friends here, along with the videos, it’s obvious he was a great man, husband, father, friend, and a loving servant of God. I’ve asked for forgiveness for my pride that got me hurt, and I hope I can live up to the example he set for others to follow. Reading and hearing about how John lived his life inspires me and makes me want to be a better person, less prideful, more loving, draw closer to God, and reminds me of something a friend said not long ago; “Love harder, forgive quicker, and extend grace and thanks more often.” While I didn’t know John, but wish I had, I think John would agree.
God Bless,
Jeff Cary