God Speaks a Different Language

Last night a floodlight went on over my head. The next time you see me you will undoubtedly notice it. (smile)I was in a local business, looking for Christmas gifts for my boys when I noticed Hollis. Hollis is a businessman, a go-getter and a guy with plenty of passion. Hollis wants me to shoot a video for his website but that’s not what this encounter is all about.

Hollis has a disability that you can see. I say this that way because I have disabilities that you can’t see, unless you are my wife and family. Hollis is in a wheelchair and I’m assuming has cerebral Palsy. He had an intern with him who helped us communicate. It’s not that Hollis can’t talk, it’s that I can’t listen long enough to understand.

I was in hurry and needed to meet Kathy and Jess for coffee. Hollis wanted to know what I was doing now and when he found out I was shooting video’s he got very excited. But it takes Hollis a long time to get a sentence out and you have to be very calm and patient to understand. I’m not known for calm or patients so this took some time for my world to slow down enough to communicate with Hollis. Once I did, it was amazing.

This morning as I recount my day yesterday, I wonder that it’s not that way with God. I think He speaks a different language or at least a slower paced language and so many of us are in such a darn hurry we miss the words and wait for someone else to interpret (Pastors) what God is saying. Perhaps instead of reading another Christian Book or picking up another taped sermon we need to quiet ourselves, slow down and really listen.

Thanks Hollis, I’m glad we talked.

2 Comments

• 
  Alice December 11, 2009 at 7:47 pm

  I had the pleasure of spending my last year of undergrad with Hollis as his helper and companion. He's a talented and brilliant person and has the best spirit and determination I've ever seen in anyone. I'm glad you slowed down for a few moments to talk to him because it's typically well worth it. It can feel slow and ponderous until you get used to it, then you fly right along in conversation. Sometimes when he's in his home town I'm lucky enough to get a visit from him and I'm always sad when other demands on my time don't allow me to slow down and have a small sit with him.

  I remember helping him with homework, going to concerts, chauffeuring him to prom with his lovely date, and much more. My memories of spending time with Hollis are still very sharp in my mind even though it has been nearly 15 years. He's come a long way and still has a lot of adventures ahead of him. He'll make sure of that.

  As an added perk, it's brilliant when you are able to ride through a park on the back of his speedy wheelchair as he zooms along at top speed, which can be quite fast for that precarious perch. I know it never went as fast as he wanted it to then, but I'm sure he's increased the speed capacity as much as he can by now.
• 
  Alice December 11, 2009 at 9:47 pm

  I had the pleasure of spending my last year of undergrad with Hollis as his helper and companion. He's a talented and brilliant person and has the best spirit and determination I've ever seen in anyone. I'm glad you slowed down for a few moments to talk to him because it's typically well worth it. It can feel slow and ponderous until you get used to it, then you fly right along in conversation. Sometimes when he's in his home town I'm lucky enough to get a visit from him and I'm always sad when other demands on my time don't allow me to slow down and have a small sit with him.

  I remember helping him with homework, going to concerts, chauffeuring him to prom with his lovely date, and much more. My memories of spending time with Hollis are still very sharp in my mind even though it has been nearly 15 years. He's come a long way and still has a lot of adventures ahead of him. He'll make sure of that.

  As an added perk, it's brilliant when you are able to ride through a park on the back of his speedy wheelchair as he zooms along at top speed, which can be quite fast for that precarious perch. I know it never went as fast as he wanted it to then, but I'm sure he's increased the speed capacity as much as he can by now.