“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” - Proverbs 27:17

Todd Wallert, a coach at North High School, has gained a special reputation among the young men that he has coached, especially Akeem Sirleaf. Their relationship got off to a rocky start when Coach Wallert kicked him off the team for behavioral issues. Coach gave him an ultimatum, either start taking things seriously or be off the team.

Instead of being discouraged or angry, Akeem became ultra-focused on his goal to run and build his relationship with his coach. He went on to win State in his last three years in high school and now has high goals to run in the Olympics. For Akeem, his relationship with Coach Wallert was more than just a coach/athlete connection.

Akeem and his mother immigrated to the United States from Liberia when he was only a child. He didn’t have a strong father figure in his life, and Coach Wallert became one for him. Akeem remembers the one time he made Coach Wallert Cry: “We had grown such a strong relationship, and he really took the role as a father figure to me. It was like seeing his son work his way up and win state three times in a row.” 

Reflect:

• Who in your life has challenged you to become better? Who can you challenge to be better?
• In what ways has God challenged you? Do you now know why?