The first time I saw Michael he was standing by himself with his back to the group staring into space and blowing spit bubbles. I didn’t realize it then, but this person in front of me would impact me in a very special way in just four short days.
Michael and his brother Gerard both have autism and have been coming to Higher Ground adventure camps for the disabled the past few years. I do not recall ever hearing Michael say a word until I told him my name on the second day of camp. I almost fell out of my chair when I heard him whisper it back to me and give a little smile. I was so thrilled; I’m not even sure I can adequately describe the elation I felt that this young man spoke my name.
The following day we took everyone to the beach and had a blast letting the waves crash against our legs and playing on the shore. I got to experience the compassionate and protective side of Michael three separate times that day. One such instance came when we were walking down to the beach. We had to cross railroad tracks and take several uneven steps to get there and some of our campers have difficulty walking. I was being especially careful of the young man I was walking with because he tends to get going too fast and fall. Well it turns out he did fall on one of the steps, but he wasn't hurt. As I was helping him up, I looked behind me to get some help and Michael had stopped and waited for us. When I looked at him he had such a look of concern on his face and he did not leave our side until we had picked our spot on the beach. Once we got to the beach, I asked Michael if he wanted to go down to the water and I took his arm and we walked down. And he stayed in the ocean until we left an hour and a half later. I had tears in my eyes and a smile on my face watching the joy light up his face as the waves crashed against his legs. I’m sure I could have stayed there all day marveling at the simplicity of that moment. It was truly beautiful.
The next two days revealed Michael's gentleness when the volunteers led the campers through an obstacle course. He was an absolute pro at each challenge and was completely fearless trying each one. I was not as brave as he was and every time I reached out my hand he was right there to grab it to make sure I didn’t fall. The following morning the parents arrived to pick up the campers. As Michael and Gerard were leaving, I asked Michael for a hug and received the most gentle hug ever.
My team and I each picked a verse to pray for ourselves this month and as I was reading Brendon's passage in Hebrews 11, this part stuck out to me. "destitute, afflicted, mistreated – of whom the world was not worthy". I told the Lord I wanted that said of me – that the world is not worthy of me. Then I thought of Michael. The world truly does not deserve to experience his compassion, his gentleness, and his love. We are not worthy of it. And yet God let me experience it for four beautiful days. How blessed am I?
