Reflections of a Young Man

by Joshua Williams
How and from whom did I get my strengths back? From Jesus Christ and the people I saw Him through and the people who saw Him through me.

Where I first felt Jesus Christ the strongest was when I met the Williams family on July 24, 1994. I first saw His smile when I was greeted by a puppy dog named Strider (I still see it to this day). I felt Jesus’ unconditional love when I was hugged by my grandmother and was told I could stay forever, this showed me He existed. (Before that I was not so sure.)

Going to St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church brought a clear presence of God to my mind. Gloria Dessart, a dear friend to the family, came up to me and gave me a hug and said, “Welcome to this Church!” From then on I have been an active member of St. Michael and All Angels.

When the Reverend Kay Reynolds became our priest, she asked me to be crucifer and work on the altar as an important part of the service. Somewhat later Kay asked me as “The Token Teenager” (my alias at the church) to be babysitter as needed during services showing the trust and love she and Jesus had in me. All of our members have shown me the face of Christ in their own acceptance and love. I have been able to return some of this according to a graduate student, who said my welcome to her caused her to become a member.

The place that presented the Holy Spirit to me as when I happened at Happening #43 at St. John’s, Johnson City, when Robert Hartmans was rector and Amanda Ward was the Chipper Deacon. How He was brought to me was during icebreakers when Robert came over to me, extended his hand, and said, “It has been a long time.” Then he gave me a big hug.

During that Happening five other people who brought out that love (and tears of joy) were: Wendy Hoffman, David Skyberg (whom I will miss when he leaves to go to Washington State), Kate White, Chris Paret, and the recent rector of Happening #47 and a dear friend of mine, Amanda Ward.

The last person that showed me the happy and sad side of Jesus is no longer with me. That person was my brother, Kent Williams. He died March 10, 1999. When I was with Kent I saw happiness in smile and heard tenderness in laugh, but yet he had a rough life too.

These people and events I have mentioned have listened to my problems and were there for me when I needed a word of encouragement or a shoulder to cry on and that is how I see, and feel, Jesus Christ.

Prayer for a Child’s Life
by Joshua Lydon Boothroyd Williams

Dear Lord, I have thought of a prayer
A prayer for a friend
An adult who ruined his child’s life
By things unheard of
Disgusting and frightening.

I pray for the father,
But can never forget what he did
I also pray that he never forgets
The fear on the kid’s face
When he did, what he did.

Pray for the one who was hurt,
Who was shamed and dishonored
Pray for the one who will never sleep again
Without seeing his father over him.

Please bless your child
With a strong heart, body, and mind.
So one day he can stand against the hate
That as brought upon him
in his younger years
As a child,
A teenager
And adult.

Thank you Lord
For saving this child’s life
By blessing him with
All the things he asked for
Now he can stand up for himself.

Amen.

Joshua Williams is a member of the Diocesan Youth Action Council and a parishioner at St. Michael and All Angels, Knoxville.