This past Labor Day weekend we packed up the car and headed to Worthing, South Dakota to enjoy a weekend at the Lifelight Music Festival with tens of thousands of other people. While there, I had an amazing experience.
Saturday afternoon was hot. Hot enough that my wife took my daughter and her friend back to the hotel so they could cool down for the afternoon. I had a choice. I could go take a dip in the pool or I could stay at the festival. Even though there weren’t any bands that jumped out at me there was something inside of me that wanted to stay. I stayed. After two trips around the festival checking everything out, I decided to sit in my chair and enjoy the music. There I sat listening to a local artist I never heard of and that’s when something extraordinary happened…
He rolled his wheelchair about 20 feet in front of me and sat there. His name is Eric. I know this because he had a sticker on the back of his power wheelchair that said “Jesus (heart) Eric”. I didn’t think much of it at first but then I noticed a small towel next to him on the ground. It was his towel but he couldn’t pick it up due to the physical limitations he had. I suddenly realized that he was trying to ask those walking by him for help, but nobody noticed him. I walked up to him picked it up, dusted it off and handed it to him with a smile. He nodded his head, smiled his unique smile and I went back to my seat.
As I sat there singing along with the music I also noticed Eric sing along in a way that must have been so beautiful to our Savior to hear. Yeah, I’m a 41-year-old guy and I was tearing up watching someone worship our Savior in their own unmatched way. I was so encouraged by his heart for God. Despite being limited to a wheelchair and the physical effects of having cerebral palsy on his body, he was worshipping his God with unbridled passion! I felt the Holy Spirit right then and there. He told me to pray for Eric for the next year. I decided then and there to be obedient to that instruction. I sat right there and prayed for the man who sat 20 feet in front of me. Without knowing anything about him except for what I could see with my eyes I prayed for Eric. I prayed that his passion would be a blessing for even more people. I prayed that he would be blessed in all he does. I prayed that his trials would be fewer and fewer. After a while, Eric eventually rolled away to another part of the festival. I was encouraged, I had someone new to pray for. What a cool festival experience.
On Sunday, we sat there waiting for Christy Nockels to perform. My mother-in-law asked for some photos of the size of the crowd so I volunteered to walk around and get some shots for her. Among the thousands upon thousands of people who were there, who did my path cross? Eric. He was with some friends who were assisting him with eating his dinner. I introduced myself to one of his friends and explained what happened the day before. I took this opportunity to see how I could specifically pray for Eric. After some conversation with his friend, I wanted to share the story with Eric and tell him how he so very much encouraged me the previous day and that I would be praying for him for the next year. Eric isn’t able to clearly communicate (at least not that I can understand), but I saw pure joy on his face when I spoke with him.
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray for joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” – Philippians 1:3-5
I walked away from that encounter blessed. Blessed by a man who I may never see again, but the picture I took of him in his wheelchair is now placed on my prayer wall as a reminder to not only pray, but to worship our mighty God in the midst of any and all trials I may have in front of me.
It doesn’t matter what baggage we are carrying with us. It could be a physical limitation like cerebral palsy. It could be a failing relationship. It could be another giving into temptation. Whatever it is, God can still hear you wherever you are.
Thank you Eric.
