Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: BURIED (04/01/21)
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TITLE: Bury The Handle, Too | Previous Challenge Entry
By Mariane Holbrook
04/08/21 -
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George was chairman of the Executive Board during a painful and difficult time. The Board had voted to ask for the pastor's resignation despite George's rigorous defense of Rev. Lindsey, who had been the leader of the flock for a mere three years.
George reasoned that the pastor needed more time, that he had just matriculated through seminary, and showed great promise as a pastor and preacher. Just because there had been no new members added to the roll during the pastor's tenure was not sufficient reason to fire him. At least, during that time, no member had left the church, George had argued.
George had called this special meeting of the Board to meet with the Bishop who lived only a few miles away from the church.
For reasons George never understood, his nemesis on the Board was a man named Ben who seemingly had no filters. Whatever thoughts he had, he instantly spilled them out, without regard for how they would sound or whether someone might be hurt in the process.
In one open meeting in the church sanctuary during which a new pastor was being considered, George finished a short statement about the candidate's qualifications and why he was endorsing him, when Ben jumped to his feet and loudly exclaimed, "I'm sick and tired of one family running this whole church," pointing his finger directly at George.
However, the meeting George had called with the Bishop went better than expected, with Ben voting with the majority to void their earlier decision and instead, hire a part-time assistant pastor to work with the youth of the church and agreeing among themselves to do more volunteer work on the church grounds, thus freeing funds to give the pastor a much-needed raise in salary and encouragement.
Happy with the results, George invited Ben to meet him at Michael's Restaurant for lunch the following Saturday. George wanted to forge a new path in his relationship with Ben, seek his forgiveness if he had offended Ben, and mend their 40-year-acquaintance in the church.
Ben, however, took the opportunity to attack George from every angle, accusing him of stubbornness and an inability to lead.
George had always been known as a quiet, peace-loving man of God, who had been sought out for counsel by many in the community during all of his adult years. But George accepted the criticism graciously and apologized, not attempting to excuse himself or deny the charges.
Not long after, George was diagnosed with cancer and was forced into an early retiral at his job. He resigned from his duties at the church while going through a chemotherapy program but because George and his wife lived only a block from the church, every day George would walk to the church and kneel at the altar to pray, using his spare key for easy entrance.
One afternoon George discovered that his key would not work. Ben, as the new chairman of the Board, had changed the locks on the church doors, preventing George from entering. George didn't mention it, even to his wife, but still walked to the church every day while he was able, and sat on the porch steps, praying as usual for the body of believers and the pastor whom he loved.
Soon, George's doctors discontinued his therapy and advised his wife to call her children to come home to say their goodbyes to their beloved father.
As several were gathered around George's hospital bed, they saw George's eyes light up.
"Oh, Ben! I'm so glad to see you! Will you come closer to my bed and pray for me?"
Ben walked in slowly from the doorway and with tears dripping down his cheeks, he clasped George's boney hand with both his own.
"I will, George, but first, I need to ask you to forgive me. I've treated you unfairly for years. I was so jealous because you are the most loved person in our church, and known for your godly behavior. I'm sorry for the pain I've caused you and the lies I've spread about you. Please forgive me."
Then Ben asked God's forgiveness and prayed for his friend.
Before he left, Ben said, "Some people bury the hatchet but leave the handle out for easy retrieval. This hatchet is buried permanently and for all eternity. Amen."
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