Joshua and I work on Wednesday nights in our youth group. I've been up there almost three years. It's challenging but I find more and more that I really do enjoy it. I'm the candy lady. I sell candy to the kids in our "candy shack" and spend time talking to them and asking them about their lives, trying to engage them in conversations. It's fun. The money we make from the candy sales helps support two children in Lebanon that our youth group "adopted", or sponsors. It's the only thing that keeps me from feeling guilty for pushing sugar to these kids!!
Joshua is the greeter. He's perfect at this job. He has taken it upon himself to bring a question every week to ask the kids as they enter the loft. It's usually a "which do you like better" question. Chocolate or vanilla, dogs or cats, Batman or Superman, and it gets a little more strange here and there.
We love our church.
Through the summer months, our wonderful youth pastor has decided to give the kids a chance to hear from their peers. He's asked different kids to pick a verse out of the bible that means something to them and spend 5-10 minutes talking about it with the group.
Joshua picked the first week to do this. He also picked June 10th since it was Brandon's birthday. I was so proud of him for not even hesitating to do this, to teach in front of the hardest group there is, your peers. He is so strong in his faith and his walk with our Lord and Savior that I never saw him get nervous or anything.
John and I were so proud of him. We couldn't listen to him without tears in our eyes, but it was wonderful to listen to him challenge his peers, as well as ourselves, to be still and know that He is God. (psalm 46:10).
There was a visitor there that night. I didn't remember ever seeing him there before. As Joshua started speaking, he was listening intently. I was sitting right next to him. He had a bandage on his arm. When it was time for prayer requests, after Joshua spoke, he introduced himself and said he was a visitor and was a missionary in Cypress. He's in his mid 20's. He asked if we could pray for Joshua. I was a little skeptical at first. I've had a few strange experiences from "visitors" who want to speak up and take the floor. This guy wasn't trying to take the floor but I felt my "momma bear" instinct rise up and want to protect my son from anyone who may be "off". It's scary to let someone you don't know anything about, to pray for you. Much less your son.
It was perfect. He was spot on. He was truly interested in Joshua and God using him to perform a medical miracle. He encouraged the kids to all pray together for Joshua at the same time. Reminding us that God hears all of us. It was a great idea, especially for the kids who aren't yet comfortable praying.
I found myself being very thankful for this visitor. His name just happened to be ... Josh. Josh Gardner. A missionary in Cypress.
Pastor Bruce also prayed over Joshua. It was powerful. I'm so thankful for him.
We love our church.
So... here's the reason for the post... today I received an email from Pastor Bruce which was sent to him. It was sent to him by Josh Gardner's friend, who thought Bruce might want to see it. It's a note he posted on his Facebook page.
I asked Josh Gardner if I could share it here with you all. It's powerful. It's emotional. (Consider yourselves warned.)
Here it is. Thank you Josh Gardner. We loved having you in our youth group. I'm so thankful you had the boldness and courage to speak up, and pray ... to pray for our Josh. I love the family of Christ.
Here is the note he posted on his Facebook. I hope you can see a glimpse of my son. He's awesome:
June 10th
I was in Jacksonville this past week. I went to a youth group for the first time in at least 10 years or so. It did not disappoint. I almost forgot how awkward these events can be, and how fun. I met the leader first thing...his name was Bruce...we share the same alma mater, and I am not sure if thats why I liked him right away or not...could have been the handshake I guess, but I don't think so. He had great control of the kids, and by control...I mean he had a confidence...a confidence that made kids listen to him. I knew it was gonna be a good time when he said, “We have visitors today...be sure to introduce yourself to them...and by introduce yourself I mean go up to them and tell them your real name.” Its instructions like this that really make me enjoy kids...cuz thats just funny...that there was a time when people were giving made up names to one another...only kids do that.
Immediately we started up a knockout game on the bball court. Inwardly I was really torn....because knockout is a game I always feel obligated to win....no matter who is playing....boy, girl, or queen of england...I am gonna do my best usually, but I am new to this place...maybe best to sit it out and let someone else get the win I think. Its of note to mention I just got stitches out of my elbow....so I went from...”i shouldn't play I am new...to...i shouldn't play I just got stitches out...to...I'll play and just use my left hand...to...I am gonna win this thing...”
I won three games
Now, of course I acted like I wasn't altogether that pleased....(but I still have it...hurt elbow and all.) but not acting happy is the appropriate response for a 26 year old man who is beating up on highschool boys and girls in knockout. Once I got too sweaty...so sweaty that it looks like I am trying way to hard to win...I stopped...and considered it a good start to the youth group night.
We next had the traditional lesson time after a half hour of sweaty activity...I can't really tell you what I was expecting...but certainly it wasn't what I got. We sat in a circle and Bruce...the leader...said confidently that the kids always hear from him...and how this week and this summer they will hear more from each other as he lets them lead. That might have been when I really really liked him. A good leader empowers others. He then introduced the speaker for the night...as the rest of the kids got quiet...his name was Josh.
Josh could not have been a day older than 15...okay maybe 16...whats important is that he's in highschool. Josh was not this overly impressive looking character. He was of average height...a very thin build...glasses...brown hair...and very meek in his demeanor. He was a smiling kid...I saw him when I came into the room...smiling away. He looked like the kind of kid that had probably never said a mean word to someone in his life. He began to speak. Apparently...Josh is a pretty sick kid. He began his time by saying...
”just today...I have discovered that I am terminally ill...and my life expectancy has been shortened because of a serious heart condition...please open your bibles to Psalm 46...”
I didn't say it out loud...but I inwardly yelled....O DANG...this isn't gonna be some lame last minute lesson. I began to think to myself...a normal kid...would not be doing this. A normal kid wouldn't be here the day he found that kind of information out...there is just no way. I decided right then....that I really love this unnormal kid right here. He began to talk about the love of God. How God is in control of his life. He referenced the verse...”Be still and know that I am God”...and when most people stop there...he kept going on and on about how God will be glorified in the nations too.
He had command of the room. I began to just flat out admire this kid...and I in a way...felt bad for the other kids in the room...who might think they will always hear a great testimony like this one...some might not ever get a chance to hear someone of such power speak again. This kid just kept talking about the love of God...and how much he trusts God...and how one day he will have a new heart with this confidence that was other wordly. There was this spoken and implied thankfulness coming out his mouth and it showed on his face as well. He was so thankful for his parents...for his friends...and for this special time he got to share. Without shedding a tear...he shared. You would have thought he just won a trip around the world or something. He had joy and peace that passed my understanding.
He talked about how God gets glory no matter what...even in his own life. No matter what. He mentioned 9/11 and how more people prayed on that day...than the previous five years according to some poll. It was good...really good.. and he ended just like he began....smiling. I wanted to cry and applaud honestly...but then I just wanted to pray for this kid...this kid terminally ill...who didn't ask for anything yet...i wanted to demand we pray for him...and then i wanted to wait to see if he'd ask...so i did. The next thing that happened was prayer requests. Bruce...took requests from anyone who asked for prayer. I began to think...how do u ask for prayer when the elephant named terminally ill disease is in the room...these other kids probably think their problems are too small now...
Josh then spoke up to say....”Not every request has to be a big one you know....you can pray about anything to God.” Everyone really began to ask for prayer after that...sometimes multiple times. I really did almost cry then...but I was just so bloody in awe of this kid with seemingly not a selfish bone in his body. I kept wondering if he would ask us to pray for him...for he hadn't yet...as I am thinking this he raised his hand again...and I thought “finally”...then he says....my friends mom just died of leukemia...can we pray for that family.
I had been quiet this whole time...and then it wouldn't leave me...and then Bruce said i think God would get more famous if he healed you completely...and I am going to pray for that. I couldn't have agreed more...and then the moment came...and we all prayed for josh that instant. I would not be surprised at all to find out Josh is healed. Not because of me...but because of those kids prayers...I think God listens to kids...maybe more than prayers of other people. This little kid that was thinking of others above himself, and I think God listens to kids like that especially. I am not even entirely sure it was on his radar at all to pray for himself. Afterwards he even said to me, “ I didn't deserve that”. All I could think was...who is this kids parents so I can shake their hand.
Deep down I think God will honor those prayers for a kid who would honor God no matter what happens to himself. What a great kid! I hope deep down he will be a medical miracle. Honestly he is what makes Christianity so appealing to me...because either he has completely flipped his lid and believing a worthless fairy tale....or he is the most sane person in the room with a great and mighty destiny. He could have just as easily blame God for his heart...and yet...he doesn't and almost couldn't. He just kept on boasting about how good God is. Unreal honestly.
I am thankful to Josh. That was an awesome night. I am thankful to Bruce too...who allowed it to happen. I wish you could have heard this kid...he is class.
I was in Jacksonville this past week. I went to a youth group for the first time in at least 10 years or so. It did not disappoint. I almost forgot how awkward these events can be, and how fun. I met the leader first thing...his name was Bruce...we share the same alma mater, and I am not sure if thats why I liked him right away or not...could have been the handshake I guess, but I don't think so. He had great control of the kids, and by control...I mean he had a confidence...a confidence that made kids listen to him. I knew it was gonna be a good time when he said, “We have visitors today...be sure to introduce yourself to them...and by introduce yourself I mean go up to them and tell them your real name.” Its instructions like this that really make me enjoy kids...cuz thats just funny...that there was a time when people were giving made up names to one another...only kids do that.
Immediately we started up a knockout game on the bball court. Inwardly I was really torn....because knockout is a game I always feel obligated to win....no matter who is playing....boy, girl, or queen of england...I am gonna do my best usually, but I am new to this place...maybe best to sit it out and let someone else get the win I think. Its of note to mention I just got stitches out of my elbow....so I went from...”i shouldn't play I am new...to...i shouldn't play I just got stitches out...to...I'll play and just use my left hand...to...I am gonna win this thing...”
I won three games
Now, of course I acted like I wasn't altogether that pleased....(but I still have it...hurt elbow and all.) but not acting happy is the appropriate response for a 26 year old man who is beating up on highschool boys and girls in knockout. Once I got too sweaty...so sweaty that it looks like I am trying way to hard to win...I stopped...and considered it a good start to the youth group night.
We next had the traditional lesson time after a half hour of sweaty activity...I can't really tell you what I was expecting...but certainly it wasn't what I got. We sat in a circle and Bruce...the leader...said confidently that the kids always hear from him...and how this week and this summer they will hear more from each other as he lets them lead. That might have been when I really really liked him. A good leader empowers others. He then introduced the speaker for the night...as the rest of the kids got quiet...his name was Josh.
Josh could not have been a day older than 15...okay maybe 16...whats important is that he's in highschool. Josh was not this overly impressive looking character. He was of average height...a very thin build...glasses...brown hair...and very meek in his demeanor. He was a smiling kid...I saw him when I came into the room...smiling away. He looked like the kind of kid that had probably never said a mean word to someone in his life. He began to speak. Apparently...Josh is a pretty sick kid. He began his time by saying...
”just today...I have discovered that I am terminally ill...and my life expectancy has been shortened because of a serious heart condition...please open your bibles to Psalm 46...”
I didn't say it out loud...but I inwardly yelled....O DANG...this isn't gonna be some lame last minute lesson. I began to think to myself...a normal kid...would not be doing this. A normal kid wouldn't be here the day he found that kind of information out...there is just no way. I decided right then....that I really love this unnormal kid right here. He began to talk about the love of God. How God is in control of his life. He referenced the verse...”Be still and know that I am God”...and when most people stop there...he kept going on and on about how God will be glorified in the nations too.
He had command of the room. I began to just flat out admire this kid...and I in a way...felt bad for the other kids in the room...who might think they will always hear a great testimony like this one...some might not ever get a chance to hear someone of such power speak again. This kid just kept talking about the love of God...and how much he trusts God...and how one day he will have a new heart with this confidence that was other wordly. There was this spoken and implied thankfulness coming out his mouth and it showed on his face as well. He was so thankful for his parents...for his friends...and for this special time he got to share. Without shedding a tear...he shared. You would have thought he just won a trip around the world or something. He had joy and peace that passed my understanding.
He talked about how God gets glory no matter what...even in his own life. No matter what. He mentioned 9/11 and how more people prayed on that day...than the previous five years according to some poll. It was good...really good.. and he ended just like he began....smiling. I wanted to cry and applaud honestly...but then I just wanted to pray for this kid...this kid terminally ill...who didn't ask for anything yet...i wanted to demand we pray for him...and then i wanted to wait to see if he'd ask...so i did. The next thing that happened was prayer requests. Bruce...took requests from anyone who asked for prayer. I began to think...how do u ask for prayer when the elephant named terminally ill disease is in the room...these other kids probably think their problems are too small now...
Josh then spoke up to say....”Not every request has to be a big one you know....you can pray about anything to God.” Everyone really began to ask for prayer after that...sometimes multiple times. I really did almost cry then...but I was just so bloody in awe of this kid with seemingly not a selfish bone in his body. I kept wondering if he would ask us to pray for him...for he hadn't yet...as I am thinking this he raised his hand again...and I thought “finally”...then he says....my friends mom just died of leukemia...can we pray for that family.
I had been quiet this whole time...and then it wouldn't leave me...and then Bruce said i think God would get more famous if he healed you completely...and I am going to pray for that. I couldn't have agreed more...and then the moment came...and we all prayed for josh that instant. I would not be surprised at all to find out Josh is healed. Not because of me...but because of those kids prayers...I think God listens to kids...maybe more than prayers of other people. This little kid that was thinking of others above himself, and I think God listens to kids like that especially. I am not even entirely sure it was on his radar at all to pray for himself. Afterwards he even said to me, “ I didn't deserve that”. All I could think was...who is this kids parents so I can shake their hand.
Deep down I think God will honor those prayers for a kid who would honor God no matter what happens to himself. What a great kid! I hope deep down he will be a medical miracle. Honestly he is what makes Christianity so appealing to me...because either he has completely flipped his lid and believing a worthless fairy tale....or he is the most sane person in the room with a great and mighty destiny. He could have just as easily blame God for his heart...and yet...he doesn't and almost couldn't. He just kept on boasting about how good God is. Unreal honestly.
I am thankful to Josh. That was an awesome night. I am thankful to Bruce too...who allowed it to happen. I wish you could have heard this kid...he is class.
3 comments:
Josh,
You never cease to amaze me. What God is doing in your life is such a testimony to me and so many others. Your faith is giganormous (i just made that up). You are teaching me something. Keep on smiling. God is doing great things in your life.
WOW! That is all I have to say about that...
The reality is that he ALREADY is a medical miracle!!! Josh, I am so proud of the young man that you have become. Hope to see you soon. Your uncle. Steve Maddox.
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