Encounter at the grocery store

[Florence]

I ran into a fellow at the grocery store today who quit his full-time job at my church a couple of months ago. He quit because the fellow who was his "boss" (in maintenance and custodial type work) was being very vindictive toward him because he made his boss "look bad" by doing a better job than his boss was doing.

Anyway, two weeks after this guy quit, his boss quit because people were upset that his vindictiveness was what caused the other guy to quit. (What a soap opera!) Anyway, so he went in and asked if he could have his old job back and they told him "no" that it was "too soon" and that he would have to "work his way up, measure up, reach the bar, etc." just like they told me.

The business manager, after telling him he wasn't good enough for the job (can you believe this?!?!?) then asked him to help then get the company who laid the carpet to come and do some repairs. This week, the same business manager called to discuss some insurance issues and actually asked the guy how he was doing. When he said, "Not too well" the business manager was stunned. I guess he just wasn't expecting to get an honest answer - because everybody is supposed to be having a jolly-good life no matter how badly they are treated.

So, I am just wallowing in being really perturbed today - as you can probably tell by all my posts. It just ticks me off that these guys get by with this stuff and pat themselves on the back for being so righteous and holy. (Loud foot stomp.)

[ex-shep]

Considering how he was treated, why should he go back for more abuse. I know the job market is rough, but there are limits.

There came a point where I deserved to be treated with dignity and respect. I certainly pray this person can find gainful and respectful employment

[Florence]

In my own experience, I didn't want to see what was so obvious - after all, "this is church" and stuff like this isn't supposed to happen there. So, I excused it and idealized it and hoped it would all work out in the end. I really thought the pastor was trying to live what he preached and when he didn't, I rationalized and self-blamed and tried all the harder to win his favor. Kind of like a loyal old dog - no matter how many times you get kicked in the side, you still go back to lick the master's hand.

Thankfully, this guy was a lot more realistic than I was because he has only been experiencing this treatment for a few months - I put up with it for years. Still, it's comforting in an odd sort of way, to know that I'm not the only one who has been treated like this by these same people. Knowing that they are treating other people this way reinforces the fact that I'm not the problem - they are the common denominator.

[Jerry]

Dear Florance,,,
Remember when Terisa Kerry told that reporter to "Shove-It!!!" ?? :D Hmmmmmmm hahahaha I think there is a lesson there somewhere ;)
Love Jerry

[Voyager]

The classic line at my former church was, "Hi brother - do you have the victory?" That was a loaded question. You had to say "yes" and deny all of your problems and your humanity in order to measure up. Nothing negative could come through your lips or you would be a "defiler". If you didn't have "the joy" or "the victory" your salvation was brought into question.

I'm glad that guy was honest and told his former boss that he was struggling. That is part of being human. I agree with Jerry - he ought to tell his former boss to "take your job and shove it where the sun don't shine!" God has something much better for your friend (whoops - is that more of the be-happy-God-will-take-care-of-it lingo that I haven't let go of yet?).

:cool:

[ex-shep]

[QUOTE=Voyager]The classic line at my former church was, "Hi brother - do you have the victory?" That was a loaded question. You had to say "yes" and deny all of your problems and your humanity in order to measure up. Nothing negative could come through your lips or you would be a "defiler". If you didn't have "the joy" or "the victory" your salvation was brought into question.




Nice thought stopping cliche. The bible school used, when was having a struggle, "But brother, you do not have your eyes on Jesus". One's in the bible school in tune with God, the others are not spiritual. I used to get that line from members on the bus. I never had the nerve, but I would have love to have shot back with "Yeah, says who?!!"

I have thought fire with fire on the bus with the group members who knew Satan was going to devour me whole because I left the bible school, "Hey, look, Bud, if you have a problem with my salvation, then you are going have to take it up with the Lord." [Now why do you think I moved out to Ohio in 1985?] :mad: