My local church community meets in a middle school auditorium. That means each Sunday we spend at least 4 hours setting up, tearing down, loading, and unloading. We do church out of box, and we like it that way.
Our twenty-four foot trailer pulls into the parking lot at 7:20am and pulls out again at 1:00pm. There are several committed men and women who selflessly serve our body by getting up early to set up and staying late to tear down. They love to serve and our community is blessed by every single one of them. But Josh is different.
Josh always has a smile on his face. You can’t walk past him without him making direct eye contact and him giving you the most welcoming smile. That’s just the kind of guy he is. He comes with his family every week and doesn’t care much for church politics, what people wear, or what they say. He isn’t concerned with trendy, attractive, church methods or gimmicks. All he cares about is people. Josh is probably the most genuine person I know. There isn’t a week that goes by that he doesn’t go out of his way to help someone. I’m convinced that Josh’s heart is so full he can’t help but share pieces of it to everyone he meets, which probably makes him the most courageous person I know too.
I’m not sure what Josh’s story is, what he dreams about, what his past is about, or what his future holds. But what I do know is that I want to be like him some day.
I saw him this past Sunday unloading the music stands before the gathering. He was smiling, serving, and giving away a piece of his heart to the guy next to him. That’s the way it should be. That’s what the body of Christ is all about.
I stood there and watched him, and I wanted what he had. I know it’s contagious because I’ve seen it spread before. That’s how genuine love works – like a virus, but a good one.
Josh finished pulling the stands out of the case when his mom walked up and grabbed his hand. She walked him back up the auditorium aisle in my direction.
“Have fun in class today, Josh.” I said as he and his mom passed by.
“Thanks Mr. Tate! You too!” he said with that big contagious smile.
I may be thirty years old and Josh may only be eleven, but I want to be like him when I grow up.
I always love when those younger than me challenge me in what it means to follow Christ. Great post, Ryan!
Hey…we have a guy named Josh too at my church…and he is always working there doing stuff and always with a HUGE SMILE!….he’s much older than your Josh…but hey…no matter what Josh…i want to be like them too!
So cool man. In Texas we did the the whole set up and tear down thing too. I was the chair guy. I have to tell you that it was awesome bonding.
I’m sure you were a great chair guy, Michael.
I wouldn’t trade the time we spend setting up and tearing down for anything. There are guys who help do that who otherwise wouldn’t serve anywhere else.
That’s how you know you are worshiping God with the best! You want to be like them!
You know I love you Kitty – and Amen!
(and you know your husband is one of a kind in this area too!)
I too, want to be just like Josh when I grow up.
Great story!
But more than that, great story telling!
You’re my new favorite writer.
Wow, much appreciated Duane! I hope I don’t let you down!
Hey…we meet at a grade school in my town! That’s so cool!
Great story about Josh…may we all grow up to be like him.
Love it. Sounds he is contagious.
Thanks for sharing, Ryan.
Great stuff man. I love it when kids inspire something in us. Very motivating.
I’m sitting re-reading your post for the 4th time with tears in my eyes. How humbling it is to hear how the Lord can use a child to influence us! When I think back over the years and the different struggles that we have been through as a family with Josh, I can not help but to praise God for His constant faithfulness and goodness. His hand is so evident in everything.
We are told to come to Jesus with the faith of a child…and that is exactly what you get when you see Josh and his love for Jesus. His joy is so genuine and he serves as a result of that love and joy!! He truly can not contain his desire to help other people…it just overwhelms him at times!!
Thank you for blessing me today by sharing your observations …I really am humbled at His work and want Him to have all of the glory for who Josh is becoming.
Awesome, Ryan!
I want to be like Josh too.
If you want to see the heart of Jesus, look into the face of a kid.