Earlier this year, I was appointed to serve on a volunteer board for a local nonprofit. All of our active board members (6 individuals) had to take part in some overarching (annual) training yesterday, (4/29), and that training grouped us together with a number of other "affiliate (localized - statewide) boards" that duly represent this national org throughout the Magnolia State.
The training was most of the day, starting around 8 AM at a local community college's workforce training center, and overall, there were around 50 volunteers present, representing most regions of Mississippi.
Within the first minute or two of finding my seat, I realized the former Human Resources Director from Delta State University (the institution I was terminated from in September of 2013 for breaking their IT policy) had also sat down. Her table was at a 90-degree angle to my own, therefore I was literally within her direct line of sight. No doubt she was there representing the Cleveland, MS affiliate as a volunteer board member herself.
I hadn't seen this woman but for just a few short minutes since my termination, and that was in 2015, therefore A LOT of water had passed under the bridge since then.
-------------------------
This past Thursday, (4/28) during my weekly "Make Thursdays Great Again" virtual Samson Society meeting, an old friend (I met him at Lakeside Pres in '09) also attended. Having never had anyone else from Mississippi join this virtual group, it was so cool having him there. Especially considering his abode is only +/-3 miles from my own here in Rankin County (where he too was Zooming in).
Mr. Justin Schwind, "Make Thursdays Great Again" facilitator, made my invited friend feel welcome, and as usual, it was a great Samson Society meeting (+/-25 attendees) with the word being "false self".
What's really special about this is me, taking into account how long I've sang the praises of Samson Society to this friend, is now seeing both his schedule (allowing him to participate) and desire coalescence.
Too, this man was the first parishioner at Lakeside Presbyterian Church that I told my story to. And as a result, he didn't shun me. In fact, the opposite actually occurred which was very unexpected at the time.
As such, for many years, he and I would make a point to supplement our time together at church with a lunch or two, on occasion, but after the Turners' return from Cleveland, MS (immediately following my termination in 2013), I found that his life circumstances had ratcheted up considerably. That combined with my shame over what had gone down in the immediate past, made for an easy series of excuses to leave him be.
-------------------------
I immediately rose from my seat and made my way over to my former Delta State University colleague. Today, this woman is in her mid to late 60s, and as I was doing so, I remembered sending her an apology letter (not long after my termination and subsequent return to the Jackson Metro) where I revealed how intimidating she was to Rob.
Yesterday morning, she wasn't intimidating in the least. In fact, she actually looked really tired. Almost to the point of concern.
It took her a few seconds to recognize me (my stick-on name tag helped) before she cracked her stock wry smile. We spoke our pleasantries, and then I returned to my seat, nary a blip in increased blood pressure.
Surprisingly, I didn't think one additional thought about her from that point forward.
Throughout the all-day training class, with her sitting just a few feet from me, it was as if we'd almost never worked together during that very challenging year of my life.
-------------------------
After the "Make Thursdays Great Again" virtual Samson Society meeting concluded (around 8 PM CST), I sent my old Mississippi friend a few follow-up text messages before signing off for the evening.
And just a quick sidenote: Earlier this week, I was really missing some of the face-to-face Samson guy interactions I've had conveniently available to me in the past. As such, I felt God speak into my life regarding this, reminding me to trust him with it completely.
Of course, I have to wonder where all of this is leading with my newly reconnected Mississippi friend. Will he take to Samson Society as I did - long-term? Is the timing truly right for him to in this regard? What about our friendship? Will it blossom further, for such a time as this?
-------------------------
Having had the powerfully humbling experience I had Friday with my former colleague from DSU, I wouldn't be able to doubt God with my decried needs (nor my aforementioned questions) even if I tried.
It is remarkable how closely our God knows our true self, mediates for us, heals us.
My faith continues to grow as he demonstrates his hands-on care for Rob. His love for me is more real than it's ever been, and I can only have expectant hope for more to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment