Captive Thoughts

Last night I had an experience that was like none other.  The best way that I can describe it is - sometimes you take the picture and sometimes the picture takes you - (dunno if that is famous or not but that is what came in my mind).

Last night at SOS a luau was held where the guests of honor were adults with special needs.  I would venture to guess there were (in addition to the folks there for SOS) another 500 to 700 guests for the luau.  Quite honestly it was overwhelming at first because I had no idea what was going on.

But once I got adjusted to all the activity, it was quite possibly one of the most beautiful displays of love I have ever seen in my life.

I could sit here and list all the activities that were going on but I want to share two stories and one picture.

In the great room there was a dj and everyone was dancing and having so much fun.  I was cutting through to try and get some pictures when something caught my attention out of the corner of my eye.  There was this older woman who was wheel chair bound dancing with a kid who looked to be about 9th grade.  He was holding her hands while his other friend spun her in her wheelchair (think ballerina kind spin).  The 3 of them had smiles that I believe will forever be etched in their hearts.  I stood stunned and watched them for several minutes.  They were having so much fun and that lady, you could just tell, felt like she was the queen of the universe.  I wanted to take a picture but I couldn’t lift the camera to my eyes.

The second story is related to the picture below.

You see at first the inflatables were just another place to get some pictures.  It wasn’t until I moved closer and actually listened to those playing that I became dumbfounded.

The two students on either side of this woman helped her “suit up” and get ready to play.  On her own she was unable to navigate the inflatable and the gear.  As she stood there ready to play these two guys picked up the lance (or whatever it is called) and held it with her.  Together they played.  As long as those two were by her side she could swing, jab, and win at the game.

Now I will admit, I try to not “over spiritualize” things.  I don’t go looking for Jesus in my corn flakes but I do believe there are moments that are meant for more than just what is happening.

As I watched the students and their guest and listened to everything around me I was reminded of this story -

Exodus 17:8-16

⁸ While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. ⁹ Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.”

¹⁰ So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. ¹¹ As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. ¹² Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. ¹³ As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.

You see, with those guys by her side she was defeating the world.  She had support.  Aaron and Hur were aware enough to take action to help and so were those students.

Call me crazy - but that moment took me.  The whole luau is what that moment was.

It is about standing side by side and going at life together.  It’s about moving past whatever may hinder a person.  It’s about seeing each and every person as the gem that they are.

I wish you could have been there and my hope/prayer/wish is that even though you weren’t there last night - that each day you are given a moment where you can be the support someone needs.