Sam and Worship

I go to Bob Johnson's house a few times a week simply because that is where I store my motorcycle. At that house lives Bob, Candice, Sam, the manny, and Foster. Bob is dad, Candice is mom, Sam is son, manny is the man[nanny] (i can't remember his name) and Foster is the dog who typically doesn't care much for me especially when I come riding up on my motorcycle.
It's quite the exchange just about every time I go there. Someone is usually around to greet me and spend a few minutes in friendly chat except for Foster who mostly barks and a few weeks ago I thought was going to bite me. Its not uncommon for me to spend time just talking to Bob about his bat traps or Candice about her garden and leave the home with a bag of fresh vegetables or an invitation to the next Johnson party. I like going there...it helps me slow down my day.

Sam is of particular interest. He is a 14 year old boy who is disabled and spends most of his time in a motorized wheelchair. He needs constant watch and care - hence the manny - and rarely seems lucid. At least that's what I thought until yesterday. Most of my interaction with Sam has been at church. He likes to sit near the front and according to his parents just loooooves the music - although he's never actually expressed this to me since when I see him he is mostly just sitting there with little expression on his face. Usually, as we are closing out the service with a worship song, he wheels up to the front to get a better look at the band and music. It used to make me nervous and a few times I thought he was going to crash into the piano player or the drums. I'm quite used to it by now. I always say 'hi' to him and ask him questions but I don't really recall him working up a response...most of the time, his parents speak for him. If you sit around them all together, you'll notice that Bob and Candice often ask him questions that he seems unable to answer and [it seems] to understand. I always thought to myself - it's sad that they try to engage him in so much conversation when he can't respond.
Yesterday in church while we were reciting the Lord's Prayer I heard him belt out a few lines of it and when I looked over at him he had a huge smile on his face. Then his mom wiped the drool from his chin...it was really cool.

That afternoon I was dropping off my bike like I normally do when rain is in the forecast. Foster predictably came running up w/ angry barks and I in predictable response yelled at him [probably w/ slight fear in my voice] to shut up. Candice came out and called Foster back in and then promptly invited me in for lunch to which I was grateful. Over grilled sausage and pasta salad Candice and I made small talk while Bob napped in the recliner and Sam sat looking exciting about the stimulus of a house guest. While we are talking Sam blurts out: "Hey Tyler what songs did we sing today?"

I almost spit my food out. I have never in my 2+ years of knowing the Johnsons heard Sam speak so eloquently. His mom acted like it was no big deal [and to her it probably wasn't]. She said, "Sam you know what songs we sang...you were in church today singing them with us." Sam asked again, "Hey Tyler, what songs did we sing today in church?" I just chuckled...I was highly amused. Then I said, "well we sang lots of songs today." I started to rattle them off in a boring manner and Candice interrupted, "Sam why don't you sing Tyler one of the songs we sang today?" I then said, "yeah that would be great!" I didn't think that he'd actually do it, but no sooner had I had that thought when I heard Sam sing...

This is my desire...to honor You
Lord with all my heart...I worship You
With all I had within me...I give You praise
All that I adore...is in [long pause and a huge smile] YOU!!!

Then we finished off the song together. Candice, myself and Sam sang [while Bob napped and Foster chewed on a bone]:

Lord I give You my heart
I give You my soul
I live for You alone
Every step that I take
Every moment I'm awake
Lord have your way in me

Can you imagine the looks on each of our faces? Mine with surprise, Sam's with pride, and Candice's with joy? Next, Sam broke off into another worship song [which I'd never heard] and sang it completely by memory as I sat in amazement [with my mouth open, I'm sure] and Candice just smiling with what looked like a shimmer of tear in her eyes. What a worshipful moment!

5 min later we sang some Green Day...HA!

Have you ever thought that the simple singing of songs in church seems frivolous or insignificant? I know I do - often. There are times when I think all this drama over music and worship just isn't worth the time and resources. However, I can't think of a more beautiful illustration of God using a few lyrics and a few bars of music to show the effect worship can have in the lives of the seemingly insignificant [and I'm talking about myself]. It reminds me of the lyrics of Psalm 8:

"O Lord, our Lord, the majesty of your name fills the earth!
Your glory is higher than the heavens.

You have taught children and nursing infants to give you praise."

I often tell people that my greatest moments of worship happen outside of the worship service...well this is a great moment of worship happening outside the service but happened because people were willing to [lead] worship inside the service. Thanks to all who serve in this ministry and help put a song on the lips of those who hear you. And thanks to Sam for reminding me why my ministry is so awesome.