A MOMENT OF RECONCILIATION, A MOMENT OF GRACE.
- unknown
- Jan 4, 2014
- 3 min read
The other day I was re-acquainted with somebody with whom (we’ll call him ‘Jim’), many years ago, I had been somewhat of a business adversary. He had some success in his field and received some local notoriety. Several years ago ‘Jim’ had several professional and personal set-backs and became disgraced. Shortly thereafter he “disappeared” from public view.
Some of my colleagues and I knew ‘Jim’ was in a place nobody wants to be and we knew the events that led to his seemingly sudden downfall from prominence. Some of us debated whether he got his “just desserts”.
The years passed by. Periodically a couple of colleagues and I would wonder aloud, “What do you think ‘Jim’ is doing these days?”. But over time memory about this individual fades. Less and less did we wonder about ‘Jim’, aloud or otherwise.
In recent years one of our colleagues or another would say, perhaps trying to sound magnanimous, “We should pray for ‘Jim’.” That’s a hard statement for those of us who are trying to live holy lives to argue with. So the rest of us would nod approvingly. Admittedly though I rarely even thought about this guy, let alone pray for him.
Which leads me to the event of this past week. I’m on a work assignment and there is a contractor on site helping us with a small project. I met each of the gentlemen of the “crew” working at the site (by first name only) including a guy named ‘Jim’. We looked at each other as if to say, “I know that I should recognize you but can’t actually place the name with a face and a memory.” And then we moved on. Each of us had clearly moved on to different situations in our lives.
Then it clicked. I asked someone, “What’s Jim’s last name?” As soon as I asked I blurted it out and then I said, “I need to talk to him before their crew packs up their equipment and leaves for the day.
I found it fascinating that I was excited to see this former adversary. I also had just a bit of the “butterflies in the tummy” feeling. As I approached I was not 100% sure he was who I thought it was. When I got to where he was standing I looked at him intently and made small talk for about 20 seconds. We were both more gray and showing the years. Different hair style, different clothes…but I quickly concluded to myself, “Yup, that’s him.”
Then I said to him, “Jim, you and I go back a long way.” to which he said politely, “What’s your name again?” I had only given him my first name before. This time I gave him my first and last name. And Jim glanced up at me, said, “Yeah, I remember you.” and then looked away embarrassingly and barely above a whisper said, “This is my retirement.”
I reached out to shake his hand. He reached back. I took his hands in mine and said, “I get it.” Upon releasing his hands from mine I said to him, “I am very glad to see you today and I’m praying for you.” ‘Jim’ offered back a simple, “Thank you.” This was not a setting whereby we could have much of a chat so I replied, “Since you’re working around here I look forward to seeing you again soon.” He said, “sure thing”. We each turned and went to our respective vehicles and drove off.
It was an amazingly humbling experience. It was the beginning of a phase of reconciliation. And it was certainly a moment of grace. The episode offered the opportunity for ‘Jim’ to know that he can be welcomed back into the community. He can recognize that his skill and effort can be appreciated. It offered me the opportunity to recognize my lack of charity in the past and to be reminded to pray more for this individual who has been really struggling, and for all who struggle.
I’m looking forward to the coming days and weeks whereby ‘Jim’ and I can further re-aquaint, and to ‘build each other up’ this time around.
Peace,
Deacon Tom Gotschall, The Deacon Dad at:
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