Brother Wayne

Wayne.

That is his name.

Born with complications.

Loved inspite of them.

Experiences frequent seizures.

Expected to live only days.

Has made it to 40 years.

Lover of Jesus.

Active worshiper.

Extraordinary witness.

During communion this morning, there was a bit of a stir.

Brother Wayne had a seizure. A violent one. It scared us. We all watched, and worried, and wondered what exactly was going on. We felt helpless yet couldn't turn our eyes. Two of our adult men got up to help hold him. Though the incident caused a commotion, not many were phased. Worship continued as normal, as a man violently thrashed around, screaming. Yet we were the only surprised ones. They carried him out of the sanctuary and into the choir room. There he let it run its course and then regroup.

For as long as I can remember, Wayne has been an active part of the HS worship community. He sings, he prays, he joins together. But on several occasions I have witnessed him sieze in worship. For those that attend regular worship with him, they have come to understand this. They lift him up in prayer and accept it as a part of who he is. They embrace him. They love him. Every week, though easier to just sit in the back incase a quick exit is needed, Wayne slowly inches his way to the front of the sanctuary. It is just about the time he gets to the center where something happens. And then after each recovery, Wayne returns to the back and begins of process of inching forward again. He wants to be there. We want to be in the action. Mixed in with his fellow believers. Amazing.

After worship, I was fortunate to be able to talk with Wayne's mother. She seemed concerned, though not shaken. In talking with her, a few words really hit me. This is what she said to me, "This happened for a reason today. Do you see that women over there? The one in the wheelchair? She also suffers from seizures. Because of this she is very depressed. And I've been worried about her. But today when Wayne started she got to see that she is not alone. And then after, she got to talk to Wayne and be a source of help. I can honestly see a bit of the weight of depression lifted off of her. Today this happened for her."

Wow.

Someone pass me the Klenex, ah thank you.

Something painful returned something beautiful.

A man so intent on being in worship, showed us that our faith should be important at all costs.

That we should always be inching toward it.

Never settling for just sitting in the back.

So Brother Wayne- thank you for the example of what is means to desire the Lord. To actively worship. To long to be part of a worship community. And thank you for being a Witness to us and others through your suffering and faithfulness.

Thanks be to God.

Amen.