09/27/2017
Every time I visit Ryan, I give him an update on whatโs going on at church, and more particularly, an update on all the fundraisers that are happening on his behalf.
Today, he motioned that he wanted to say something. As he silently mouthed the words and pointed to certain letters on an alphabet chart, this was what he wanted to communicate:
โI donโt deserve all the fundraising.โ
โI feel like a burden.โ
I was speechless.
Here was a kid whoโs life completely flipped upside down and has been in immense pain for the past three weeks, and all heโs thinking about is how he might be a burden to others
After some time, I asked him to think back to all the times heโs helped someone in need. And then I asked him if he ever did it begrudgingly or out of obligation. He shook his head. And then I asked him, โyou did it with a joyful heart, didnโt you?โ He nodded.
I told him that thatโs exactly how all of us feel, too; that none of us are doing it begrudgingly or out of obligation, but rather with such joyful hearts.
His eyes welled up.
After reading Matthew 25:31-46 out loud, I told him that when we do all these things, we are ultimately doing it to Christ, because He identifies with the weak, poor, broken-hearted, and those in pain. 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'
Then I thanked him for giving us an opportunity to serve and be a blessing to Christ, first and foremost, and to him as well. He just smiled.
If you have some time today, please come out to Moeโs (24995 Riding Plaza, Suite 110, South Riding, 20152) and enjoy a delicious dinner with your friends and family. 100% of proceeds go to Ryan Kwakโs family.
