So this was one of those random, out of the blue, really cool things God does sometimes. As most may know I left around a week ago for my 11 month journey on the World Race. Prior to leaving, we had a few days of launch where our parents were able to come and see us off. My mom came, the parents sat through a few sessions kind of just casting more vision for what the next 11 months would look like, not only for us but for them as well. It was a cool time, hard as it was the last time I would see my mom for the next year basically, but none the less a special weekend.
On the last day my mom and I were headed out the door. We had just said good bye to everyone and had just about made it to the front door when mom wanted to go meet my team coach’s wife. So we turned around and walked back to the main conference room. We went and were talking to her when this dude comes walking in. The room wasn’t full but there was still a good bit of folks and the guy walks straight to me carrying a guitar.
Sort of in a weird kind of confused fog I’m standing there and he asks me if I played guitar. No man I don’t. Well do you want to learn? Yeah sure, why not you know like he’s just gonna bust it out and teach me right there. He bends over, puts the guitar on the ground and says here you go. Totally confused, he leans in saying some cuss words, hugs me and says God bless. He turned around and walked out the door.
Let me paint a little better picture of this guy. He was not affiliated with the World Race at all. He was wearing a long black trench coat, combat boots and cargo shorts. He smelled like cigarettes and had faded spider web tattoos on both hands. I never really saw his face, and if I did I don’t remember it at all. Im just gonna say it, the dude looked rough ok. Anyways, I open the guitar case and it was covered in black duct tape. It was really cool but at the same time I’m thinking I was just given a busted guitar. What this guy didn’t know is he had just handed me the exact same guitar model as the guitar I had pawned for cocaine some 5 years before. Only in a darker color.
I told my team coach’s wife my history with my previous guitar. Yeah I used to play a little bit. I didn’t play for a long time but I loved to play and had gotten what I thought was pretty good. So when she said I should name the guitar redeemed, she pretty much pegged the nail on the head. When she said that it made me think about being asked a question. If I could describe Jesus with one word, what would that word be? My answer was redeemer. So naming the guitar redeemed just seemed to fit. Anyways, the entire situation was super weird to me and I was pretty tripped out.
So we said our goodbyes again and walked out the door finally. Mom and I are going back and forth, confused, still really unsure why or what had just happened and all I could think was I’ve just got to sit and pray about this. I’m getting on the plane to Indonesia in the morning and now I’ve got to figure out if God’s telling me to take this dang guitar with me. I said goodbye to mom, it was sad and emotional but I knew she was proud of me, and we parted ways.
I get back to my hotel room and all I can really think is man maybe i’m supposed to learn to play again lol. Prayed about it never really heard anything back so I figured I had my answer. I brought redeemed with me. Since bringing it I’ve not played it once but my teammates that can play have really enjoyed it and i’m happy for that. Also on my team, Dragon Fist Storm the best team Exped has incase you’re wondering, has 2 guitar players and both have said they’d be willing to teach me so thats a plus. Also I took all of the black duct tape off and theres absolutely nothing wrong with the guitar… Blessing
