My Friend Tommy

This week, we buzzed down to Branson for two days.  There we attended a Gospel Musical Festival.  Imagine that!! J
 
I met a lot of people in the entertainment world.  Members of the Collingsworth Family, Legacy Five, Greater Vision and others.  If you are into Gospel music, about now you are thinking, “WOW!”  I also met Dr. David Jeremiah.
 
But of all the entertainers and famous people I met, the most memorable was a man named Tommy.  For several hours, I watched Tommy as he listened intently, worshipping Jesus just as was I.  But Tommy’s world is different than mine…..you see, Tommy lives in a wheelchair.
 
At one of the intermissions, I felt not a gentle nudge from God to go over and talk to him, but instead I felt a not so gentle shove.  Like one of my friends said, “You have the gift to talk to strangers.”
 
As I visited with Tommy, he told me that he’s had MS for 15 years.  It was quite obvious that his legs were disabled.  He went on to say that not too long ago, he had lost maneuverability in his left arm.
 
As we talked about the love of the Lord, he shared what I perceived as a deep faith.  I told him to never give up hope, because Jesus told a lame man to pick up his mat and walk….and he did.  Tommy shared that he believes, since Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, then Jesus could heal him as well.
 
Every reason to give up hope, every reason to ask of the Lord, “Why me?” every reason to turn his back on Jesus in despair, and yet Tommy only glorified Jesus in his disability from his wheelchair.  How many of us without a disability can give that kind of witness?
 
As Tommy and I parted, we agreed that one day we would both be dancing on streets of gold around a great crystal sea.  Yes, there Tommy will be healed and made whole.
 
Surrounded by 3,000 Christians and a lonely guy in a wheelchair impressed me the most!
Love ya all…including you Tommy!
Pastor Allan
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