Many of you know that Don and I have a long history with the Marching Arts. He still teaches competitive drumline and I, after teaching color guard fulltime for 18 years, now just dabble in it on occasion.
Last weekend, I began seeing many Facebook posts from former students saying things like “Pray for Hodge”. I finally put enough information together to know that he was a Page High School student that played in the drumline, but couldn’t ever get any additional information.
Today, almost by accident, I found a link to his CaringBridge site. CaringBridge is the most incredible website for conveying hospital information. Parents and family members can update friends around the world of breaking information and there is a place for photos. It’s such an amazing way for people to stay on top of current patient news without crowding the waiting room … which can sometimes be a problem.
Today, as I was looking at Matt Hodge’s CaringBridge site which is written and updated by his dad, I was able to see Matt’s picture. In his snapshot, I saw hundreds of drummers that I’ve taught before. His accident could have happened to anyone and it could have been one of my former students.
The thing that struck me more than anything else was … he was someone’s son. That could be my child laying in that hospital bed one day and I would be begging people to drop to their knees and pray for his health to be restored.
That’s what I’m asking you to do today. Pray for Matt Hodge.
Last week, I wrote on being intentional when you pray for your child. Tim Hodge, Matt’s father, tells of several things that students are doing to be intentional about remembering to pray for Matt. I wanted to do something myself, and I didn’t have to go far before I knew what it would be.
Tim Hodge works for BigIdea. Yes, the same BigIdea that does VeggieTales. He’s been a longitme writer/director for them. Every night as he’s drifting off to sleep, my son Avery listens to the VeggieTales CD “Boyz in the Sink – Live from Paducah!” I bought this CD because I used to live in Paducah … now I know that God is using this CD, that my son treasures, as a reminder for me pray for someone else’s little boy.
Let’s all join together to lift up this entire family!
