As I end the day I wanted to reflect on an opportunity I had to cross paths with an old friend, or maybe a foe. It all depends on what side you were on in the situation way back when. It was my youth pastor when I was in high school. The long and short of it was a situation arose where I left the church home that I had grown up in and moved on. I then moved on, literally. This was my kick to the curb, my moment of emptiness, my moment of desertion. As I moved on and moved to another state I held a great deal of resentment and anger toward this individual. Some deserved, mostly not. It has taken a chance encounter and a tremendous amount of prayer to begin the healing process in my own life. As I grew older and away from the situation my heart began to heal and the door to the memory’s had begun to seal shut. Finally I forgave my youth pastor and chalked the situation up to youthful ignorance on his part not mine.
Tonight at dinner I had the Mushu Pork, it was quite a show to watch Dennis our waiter give it his all. He is and blessed man, and I prayed for him tonight at and during dinner. I hoped that he see the forgiveness in our tones and would gleam a bit of peace when he was overhearing our conversation. It was 16 years since I had seen my Youth Pastor. He hasn’t changed. A bit older, alot wiser but still the same youthful spirit. While talking about old times, he mentioned that he was reflecting and recalling his time as my youth pastor, he didn’t remember the specifics, but he did remember that there was an issue and then I just disappeared. He didn’t remember the reason or even understand them, but he said God had placed a burden on his heart that he needed to apologize for anything he might have done. Not quite what I was expecting, but something I will take and run with. My youth pastor might not realize or understand the impact that he had made in my life both in a positive and negative way, but one thing I have come to understand is that God provide peace and comfort, but only in his time. I forgive my youth pastor and I asked for his forgiveness as well for projecting some of my situational anger toward him and others.
As you grow in life, perspective is key. Once you begin to move away from the situation you gain wisdom and depth. As I was leaving the dinner, I was thanking God for the opportunity to allow our paths to cross. My youth pastor is a good man of God. I see that now. I am now able to example multi-dimensional relationships and investigate them with conviction. I am happy and content with how things have turned out.
I look forward to a future meeting and an opportunity to once again fellowship with my youth pastor. When you reach this, thank you for once again touching my heart. Thank you for brining emotions to the surface that I am finally able to address. Thank you for being available and willing to examine what you might have done to cause the situation to happen, and most of all, thank you for saying you are sorry. You have truly touched my heart.
