GMA: Angels On The Streets
- By Ryan Dahl
- Published April 23, 2008
Ryan Dahl
Ryan is the founder of PraiseCharts, which began in 1998 when he served as a worship pastor in British Columbia, Canada. Since that time, PraiseCharts has experienced tremendous growth and depth, as Ryan leads a team of artists, writers, arrangers, producers who share his heart and desire to serve churches all around the world. Ryan is an active member of Victory Christian Centre in Surrey, BC.
The Bible talks about how we should always be on the look out for opportunities to serve people, not knowing who they really are -- after all, they could be angels in disguise. This morning, Debby and I were on our way to the convention center in Nashville, getting ready to take in the last day of seminars and meetings at GMA week. We pulled into the pay parking lot and being the digital whiz that I am, I had no troubles processing my parking ticket with the digital machine. The older couple behind me were not so confident. I quickly showed them a few tips, and then Debby took over as I walked back to the car to put the ticket in the car. As I'm racing back to catch up with Debby, she is strolling along the sidewalk, fully engaged in a conversation with this couple. I guess she had taken a little more time to help them out, and they really noticed what a God-send she was. They asked a little about where she was from, what she did, and that quickly moved toward the topic of PraiseCharts and our "worship ministry." The older gentlemen said, "my son is a worship pastor." "Oh, wow," Debby says, "that's great. Where does he lead worship."
I'm not sure what the exact answer was there, because I don't think she got a specific location out of them. Turns out this grateful older couple she met at the parking meter were Mr. and Mrs. Tomlin. Debby graciously introduced me when I caught up to them on the sidewalk. My heart took a leap. I've often thought about how much I would like to be like Chris Tomlin. But you know what I thought this morning, walking along the sidewalk with the senior Tomlins? I thought, I'd like to be like Mr. Tomlin. I want to be a dad like that. The legacy is all about who walks after you. You think it is an honor to be Chris Tomlin - I think it is an even greater honor to be Chris Tomlin's dad. And to think we nearly missed an opportunity to serve him this morning, even in a simple way at the parking meter.
Time to slow down, Ryan! Don't let the miracle moments of life pass you by.
I'm not sure what the exact answer was there, because I don't think she got a specific location out of them. Turns out this grateful older couple she met at the parking meter were Mr. and Mrs. Tomlin. Debby graciously introduced me when I caught up to them on the sidewalk. My heart took a leap. I've often thought about how much I would like to be like Chris Tomlin. But you know what I thought this morning, walking along the sidewalk with the senior Tomlins? I thought, I'd like to be like Mr. Tomlin. I want to be a dad like that. The legacy is all about who walks after you. You think it is an honor to be Chris Tomlin - I think it is an even greater honor to be Chris Tomlin's dad. And to think we nearly missed an opportunity to serve him this morning, even in a simple way at the parking meter.
Time to slow down, Ryan! Don't let the miracle moments of life pass you by.
