Dear Reader: I am pleased to present the following story to you, mainly because I have made a new friend. I have said before that I am not a reporter, but a storyteller. My friend did not know I was writing this about him, but he did have an opportunity to read the rough draft and gave me permission to share this story with you.
To my amazement, forced relationships may turn out to be great relationships. Yes, it may take time, but we all have heard the saying: “Patience is a virtue.” After attending our new church for about a year and a half, Barb and I decided we would look further into joining the church. One of a few prerequisites to join is to attend a Newcomers class. This class, taught by the senior pastor, meets one night a week for seven weeks, many times in a church member’s home. Each evening lasts three hours, which sounds like a long time but we got to know the dozen or so other people attending and the evenings included dinner (attendees volunteer to bring something to eat) and much is learned during the lecture section on how the church operates, what it stands for, procedures, etc. There are also questions and answers from both the participants and the pastor.
But how about those forced relationships? After a few weeks, we were given a homework assignment. Oh no! I felt like I was back in school and I never did like homework. We would have to report the following week how we made out with our assignment. My first thought was there was no bluffing this assignment! We were instructed that at the following Sunday’s worship service we were to select someone in the service who was sitting alone, sit next to him/her and introduce ourselves. Let me tell you, I like agendas and planning my life to the extent that I can. The next Sunday morning, Barb and I left for church early so we could scope out people in the congregation and select just the right person to be our subject. Sure enough, we stood in back of the sanctuary and using my good judgement, I selected a man about midway toward the front sitting alone at the end of an aisle. I pointed to him and said to Barb: “He’s the one!” We joined him in the row and introduced ourselves to him. We received little more than a “Hello,” in reply and I figured I had muffed the assignment. At our next Newcomers class I told of our experience meeting Harold, at which time there was a laugh from someone in the group, who said: “Harold is always quiet.” Please note, I don’t tell you this as a negative about Harold because I had much the same characteristic most of my life. We continued to sit with him for the next two Sundays. By the time we had sat next to him through the third service, Harold turned to us and said: “Well, I guess I’ll see you next Sunday.” This was a minor victory!
This is not the end of the story. It’s hardly the beginning. After a few months, there was a group of people from church who started a Bible study for the residents in an apartment house near our church two nights a month. Guess who lives in the apartment house….Right, Harold! At least we are pretty sure it’s him. He is a changed man! Barb and I arrive at the apartment complex about a half hour before the Bible study starts to set up the room and welcome the attendees. When we arrive, we can enter the vestibule but can’t go any further for security reasons. The next set of doors is locked and one can only enter them if a resident lets them in. Harold has attended every study since we started in November of 2017. He also is Mr. Dependable, always at the front door to let people in from our church to participate in the Bible study. However, his attendance and “Door Guard” are not the most important things. The formerly quiet Harold plays a big part both in the study by answering questions, and in the social time talking about his favorite sports, his life experiences and knowing many of the members in the apartments. He is well versed on both past and current events. It is a pleasure to listen and learn from him. He also delivers circulars to the Bible study attendees twice a month to remind them of our upcoming study.
Barb and I truly feel we have made a new friend, whom we respect very much. We are so thankful we were given the above homework assignment!
Jeff Hall, Honey Brook, contributes columns to Berks-Mont Newspapers.
