Appreciation: Buddy Ritter.

Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Appreciation: Buddy Ritter. Everyone has someone that has made a huge dent in their life. We all have that person that impacted us in such a huge way that our life looks a little bit like theirs in some way, due to their influence over us. They’ve touched our opinions on things, our views on things, and even our personality in many ways. Call it what you will – mentor, teacher – I call him my Paul. And interestingly enough, he calls me his Timothy.
When I was about 14, just after surrendering my life into the ministry, God brought Buddy and Ladonna Ritter to Meadowlake to serve as our Pastor of Family Ministries. From the get go, Pastor Buddy (PB from here on out) and I began a friendship that has lasted the almost 13 years since that time. We met weekly for personal Bible study and mentoring, and whatever came my way that I needed advice on I went to him. I still treasure so much of what I learned during that time of my life.
After a few years, God took PB and Ladonna to Nacogdoches, TX to Pastor. It was about 6 hours of driving if I remember correctly, but that was nothing to me. I made several “pilgrimages” down to Texas to spend some quality time with them, two of my favorite people in the world. I even had a few opportunities to preach at the church PB was pastoring thanks to him. And in spite of the distance, I still had my mentor, my friend.
Last fall my life changed. In the first few days of my new reality when I was at the lowest point I could ever imagine being at, PB, who now lives in North Arkansas, drove down to Hot Springs, and put his schedule on hold for an entire week, because I needed him there. He even slept on the hard floor of my den because I was sleeping on the couch and would have panic attacks anytime I was alone in a room. That week he cooked for me, washed clothes for me, washed dishes for me, and more than anything was just there. He endured a lot that week, but never did he utter a complaining word. And the reason? Because that’s just who he is: a shepherd – by nature, calling and choice. And he’ll be your's for life if you ever build the friendship we have.
He’s got a tremendous testimony of God’s working in his life, but the most important thing to me about PB is simple: he’s my friend. He’s proven that in recent years. And the simple fact of the matter is, he’s my friend for life. And that’s priceless.
So on this Pastor Appreciation Month 2010, I salute you Buddy Ritter, for serving Him and being a friend to someone that has needed one so often and so dearly.


That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
Blake

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