A New Friend...

One night at the conference I met a new friend. His name is Caleb; he is seven. As we were singing together, I kept noticing he was watching me. It actually made me quite jealous of his dad that he was standing beside and hugging on. (I am ready to be singing to our Father with my son!)

After the service ended Caleb and I were sort of watching one another. He came over and said, "Whats your name?" I said, "My name is Chad. Come and tell me what your name is." He introduced himself and came and sat next to me. We talked for twenty minutes or so about a little bit of everything. He had a great laugh. He would tell a story about himself or his brothers and he would just laugh his head off. Eventually someone came and found him to tell him his parents were worried because they didnt know where he was.

Caleb and his parents are an inspiration to me. What I didn't tell him is that I knew who he was. We had actually met once although I only vaguely remember him and he clearly didn't remember me at all.

Just over two years ago Calebs dad was shot. He was working in a hospital in a Middle Eastern country. A man came in and killed three people; he also shot Caleb's dad. They spent some time back in the states recouping and then they returned to the country they had been in. To this day they live there. I met them the day they returned. I will never forget the words that Caleb's mom spoke. She was honest in sharing that she was scared to be there and some days all she would want to do is take her little boys home. But she continued and said that she was called to be in that country with those people and although it might be hard at times she was going to follow through with that call.

I'm not sure I'm that committed. Sure I live here now. But I'm single; I've never been attacked for what I believe; I don't have to be as concerned about protecting others as I am myself.

The night before I met Caleb I heard a recorded sermon. A black pastor tries to explain who God is. It is called My King. I had heard the sermon once before. I was at Covenant College on top of Lookout Mountain in Georgia. A young man recited the 5 or 6 minute sermon, complete with mimicking the pastor's voice. That night it became clear that I was called to spend my life serving. I never anticipated that call would include a stay here. At that point I had no idea what all answering yes would entail. I still don't know. My hope is that I am as faithful as Caleb and his parents. I hope that I love my Father that much. I hope that I trust him that much.