A Thought for Today
by Bob Fisher
Sacred Promises
A few years ago I met a young dentist from the United States. He told a
story which had a deep impression on me. It was about a promise made and
a promise kept. His father was a great foot racer. He was on the university
track team. I will tell the story as I heard it as near as I can remember.
Dad's specialty was the 100 yard dash and the 220. He was expected
to win those two races for his university in a grand meet for the championship.
Dad's was the visiting team. They traveled all day and were very tired.
The coach wanted them all to be fresh and ready to go the next day so he
suggested that everyone have a small drink of wine before they went to
bed. Dad left the meeting without taking any of the drink. He went straight
to his room.
In a few minutes there was a knock on his door. It was the coach. He
said, "I noticed that you did not take a drink as I suggested. I brought
a bottle and I'd like you to have a drink before you retire." Dad told
him that his drinking alcoholic beverages was against his religion. "Besides,"
he said, "when I was a young fellow I made a promise to my sister and another
young person that I would never drink alcohol unless I had the express
permission of both of the others who were a part of that pact. I would
like very much to obey your request especially since you think it will
help our performance tomorrow, but I cannot. I have no way of getting in
touch with those I covenanted with, and I will not break a sacred promise."
The Coach left a little annoyed, but Dad thought he detected some admiration
in his voice when he said good night.
The next morning Dad was awakened by a knock on his door. It was the
coach. "How do you feel?" His voice seemed nervous, and Dad was soon to
learn why. "I'm feeling great," Dad responded. "I never felt better."
"I'm so glad," responded the coach, "Every one else was sick during
the night and they are in no shape for this meet. We'll be depending on
you to win both of your races to hold up the good name of our alma mater
"
That day Dad broke the university record in the 220 dash and he won
the 100 yard dash in spite of the fact that he nearly fell at the start
because his starting holes gave way. Dad always thought he did so well
because he had kept his promise to his God and to his friends.
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