Recently, Ryan Braught from Ecclesia Church Veritas shared this story from someone in his community with us- we wanted to pass it on to you.
This summer, I’ve been using my music to connect with others as well as praying. I’m growing closer to God in taking a practice that I love and realizing his work in that. God has expanded my expectations about how I could be a blessing in ways not exclusive to music.
I met my friend Serge at an open mic night at The Rabbit & The Dragonfly. I go there to hear what the people in the city have to express. I heard his song named “Mosquito”, voicing a personal injustice. The song didn’t keep my attention as much as his action of playing. I didn’t realize at that time that he was borrowing a guitar from someone else. I showed up to open mic with a uke that I would hesitate to share.
Another musician named Wes introduced me to Serge. He saw my playing and suggested I learn to play guitar. He even shared some chords with me and was enthusiastic about teaching me to use the insturment. One time Wes asked me to meet him at a Price St. Café and follow up with a jam session. I waited at the café for an hour or so, reading a book. I was done with waiting and headed home. I was a few steps away from the café door and a voice called me from behind. It was Serge, not who I expected to see. He knew about the planned meeting between Wes and I and wanted to join. We took seats in front of the café and waited a bit more for Wes. In that waiting time, Serge shared a bit of his story and goals. He was living with his older sister and was working for a car, a place of his own, and a guitar. One thing we shared was an interest in music and performing. Wes never showed after all, but I invited Serge to my house where I had an old guitar that was falling apart; it had a few playable strings, and broken tuning pegs. Serge used the guitar to show me some finger picking. I was thankful that I’ve met two people that were interested in showing me to use this instrument. I thought that if I could give Serge a guitar in playable condition, I would do it in that moment so he could cross one goal off of his list. Serge had to go, but I was left knowing a part of his story.
“Yes we can share”
The following week, I reached out to my Dad for a time to hang out in Lancaster City. During that time, I shared some of my latest songs on ukulele. He enjoyed them and shared a statement similar to Wes. “ I’ve got to get you that guitar”. He referred to one he had at home that wasn’t being used. Father’s Day came around and I went to Harrisburg to visit him. He sent me home with the guitar he had. His intention was to provide me a tool that would help me further my playing. Upon receiving the guitar, I realized that I was in a position to pass a playable guitar on to Serge like I previously hoped for. Over the week that followed, I was on the fence about whether to use the guitar for myself or give it to a friend. I prayed about this and sought an opinion from Pastor Ryan Braught. I listened more to that sense I had to pass it on. Ryan said that God would bless such actions in unexpected ways.
Then, next open mic night came and I asked Serge to hang out after listening to all of the acts. I was with my band at the time and they were impressed by his song and approach to playing guitar. We arrived at home and when Serge was seated, I presented the cased guitar to him as a gift. He responded, “Are you sure? …I know you need one to learn with.” Why don’t we share?”
In that moment, I was surprised. I was faced with the expectation I had about the exchange… that this guitar could only belong to one person. “Yes we can share”, I responded. I was pleasantly surprised, not considering that possibility. I thank God for this moment of insight, and blessing us both.
