Goodbye Old Friend...You've Served Me Well...

earlier this summer, after i decided to sell my house and move, i had a garage sale to sell off some of my 30 years of accumulation...yeah. 30 years of stuff.

at the very last minute i decided to part with one my most influential possessions, my first guitar...

my father bought me that guitar as a birthday/christmas gift..back in 1985. i played the crap out of it. i beat at it, drilled holes to install my own pick-up and strap pin. i played it for everything for at least 8 years before i got another guitar. in short, i cut my musical and worship leader teeth on it.

i used it very seldom the last 20 or so years. i think the last time i actually used it was the last time i played at CLC. i guess looking back it was quite fitting that the last time he was used was in leading worship. the song was "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" and it would be the last time i would be leading worship there. sort of a looking forward to something and leaving the old behind.

and now, it was time to let go of my old friend. he brought me and others (those i lent him to) much joy i would like to think. but it was time for a new life for him. i life where he would be used rather than just sitting on one of my guitar stands, un-played...un-used...

i had one interested party that saturday morning. he picked it up, played it, made his inquiry and listened to the story of the guitar but ultimately he didn't buy it... "$75???  how about $50?" nah dude... there is sentimental value here and you're just trying to barter...

ah well...maybe i was gonna keep him after all!!!

an hour later, a young hispanic guy picked it up and started playing it.  "Jehovah Jireh" was one of the tunes...

it was a bit busy then so i wasn't able to watch or talk to him but a bit later he asked me how much...

"$40..." i said

he pulled out two jacksons and away he walked off with my old friend.

i would like to imagine that that friend has a new life that is much more like his early life with me, one where he gets played everyday not sitting on one of my guitar stands or worse in the case. a new life where he is being used to lead others in the presence of God, playing songs of worship and praise.

at least, that's what i'd like to believe is his life now...