Daytime dreams

Glimmers

August 6, 2010

The tall young man in the tan suit haunts my daytime dreams. I saw him last week while at our denominational meeting in Orlando. We had several days of meetings with chaplains only, followed by meetings to discuss and vote on matters of importance to the whole church.

Wednesday night was set aside for worship. Franklin Graham, Billy Graham’s son, was the speaker and Israel Houghton and New Breed provided the music. Israel’s Latin-soul-gospel music was high energy and inspiring. The over 13,000 in attendance at the Orange County Convention Center were on their feet almost the whole time. It was during the music and praise that I saw him. He was on the back row of the section in front of me. He was in the fourth seat from the end of the row as you go from the right to the left. He was standing, like all the rest, not as animated as most of the crowd. A young woman stood at his side. His head was clean-shaven. A mask covered his nose and mouth. A mask.

I watched the singers and felt the power of the music, literally and figuratively. Then my eyes would go back to the young man in the mask. I wondered what he was thinking. Was he afraid? Was his faith intact? Did he wonder about God’s power, or love for him? Does he wonder if God really sees him and if God sees him, does he care?

As I watched him, this man I may never know, I whispered a prayer for him. “God bless the tall young man in the tan suit, that one, right over there in the back row. Give him strength for his battles and healing for his body.” “Bless his family and those who care for him and about him.” “Bless the medical team as they work with him and give them success.”

After Franklin Graham spoke, more music followed. At some point he slipped out with his family and I don’t even remember his leaving. But he haunts me still in my daytime dreams.

Blessings to you all,

Jerald