*Reposted from May 11, 2015
His final words to his two sons were, “Boys, if I die today, remember that I love you.” In God’s strange timing John did die that day.
I was 16-years-old when I first remember meeting John Riding. We had been at the same church for a few years, but I vividly remember our first meeting. I walked into Harddriven Sportwear, the company John owned for 18 years, for an interview. His first words to me, “Didn’t anyone tell you to dress up for these things.” I was completely mortified.
Thinking back on it, he told me on the phone not to dress up because the back room of the shop was a dirty place to work. Secondly, I am pretty sure he was wearing jeans! Needless to say, that became the start to my fun-filled relationship with John Riding (and yes, he hired me).
John was a man of passion. He never did anything half-hearted. He had a passion for life, his businesses and volleyball. Even more than that, he had a passion for his family and people—all flowing from his love for Christ. John didn’t compartmentalize his faith. He brought his faith into every part of his life. A lesson that we can all learn from.
I was grateful to celebrate John’s life via livestream this past weekend. I am thankful for God giving John the years on earth that he had, though we think they were cut short. I pray for the many who do not know Christ at the memorial service. They heard the gospel clearly and repeatedly. John made quite an impact in his community, and I pray for much gospel fruit in the coming days and years.
Leicia, Ashlyn, Logan and Parker, there is nothing that compares to the pain you are enduring right now. And yet with tears, screams and cries I pray that you would hear the sweet whisper of future hope, “He [Jesus] will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
May 4th, 2014, John Riding went to see his Savior face to face. If you would like to assist the family in short and long-term needs please visit: http://ridingmemorialfund.org
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