Ellen
04-13-2010, 12:10 PM
Years ago, back in my "pre-abuse" days, when I was in college, I was secretary of my church. We would get an intern every year - a 3rd year seminarian. One year, the intern was a guy named Jim.
Jim and I became very good friends - spiritual soul mates, really. We could talk to one another about anything. With Jim, I could be entirely honest and it never crossed my mind that I ever needed to be anything less. Not having grown up in church, I guess I didn't realize just how unusual it was to be so transparent with another Christian.
Jim and I stayed wonderful friends for a few years - until I became engaged to my husband. Then, our lives took different paths and I haven't seen or heard from him in 25 years. Until this week.
Jim found me on facebook and we have sent message back and forth a couple of times. He has sent me his phone number and asked me to call. (I have shared every bit of this with my husband, in case anyone is wondering, and he has given me his blessing.)
From what I can tell so far, Jim has been through some rough times of his own. He left the ministry for a while and is now doing what he calls "cutting edge ministry" as pastor of a church that welcomes gays, lesbians, minorities and other outcasts. This thrills me because it's one of the reasons I stay at the church I attend. My church doesn't condone the behavior, but they are adamant about ministering to, welcoming, loving, and bringing healing to broken and marginalized people.
Anyway, as my husband and I talked about Jim's invitation to call, we agreed that perhaps it would be a very healing experience for me. From what I know so far, Jim is just the kind of person I need to connect with - at one time a broken, outcast himself - who probably knows my heart better than anyone even after all these years. He has already told me that "God is good!" even after going through so much, himself. Maybe he can convince me that God is "for" me, still. Maybe I can be the friend that I once was to him, as well.
Ellen
Jim and I became very good friends - spiritual soul mates, really. We could talk to one another about anything. With Jim, I could be entirely honest and it never crossed my mind that I ever needed to be anything less. Not having grown up in church, I guess I didn't realize just how unusual it was to be so transparent with another Christian.
Jim and I stayed wonderful friends for a few years - until I became engaged to my husband. Then, our lives took different paths and I haven't seen or heard from him in 25 years. Until this week.
Jim found me on facebook and we have sent message back and forth a couple of times. He has sent me his phone number and asked me to call. (I have shared every bit of this with my husband, in case anyone is wondering, and he has given me his blessing.)
From what I can tell so far, Jim has been through some rough times of his own. He left the ministry for a while and is now doing what he calls "cutting edge ministry" as pastor of a church that welcomes gays, lesbians, minorities and other outcasts. This thrills me because it's one of the reasons I stay at the church I attend. My church doesn't condone the behavior, but they are adamant about ministering to, welcoming, loving, and bringing healing to broken and marginalized people.
Anyway, as my husband and I talked about Jim's invitation to call, we agreed that perhaps it would be a very healing experience for me. From what I know so far, Jim is just the kind of person I need to connect with - at one time a broken, outcast himself - who probably knows my heart better than anyone even after all these years. He has already told me that "God is good!" even after going through so much, himself. Maybe he can convince me that God is "for" me, still. Maybe I can be the friend that I once was to him, as well.
Ellen