Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: ENVY (jealousy of another’s advantage) (02/12/15)
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TITLE: Sweet Release | Previous Challenge Entry
By Catherine Craig
02/18/15 -
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“I agree. But, I think…” Jolene drawled, her southern origins undeniable. As a federal employee nearing retirement age also working for the Corps of Engineers, she could have retired early but had opted not to.
The disparity in our ages, probably a quarter of a century, couldn’t quench the common ground we’d found as Christians. Since my being hired on two short months before, I’d found Jolene to be as excited as I was about conveying the every-day realities of experiencing a God who answers prayer. In each other, we’d found ready listeners. Unfortunately, there were others who didn’t share our enthusiasm.
One morning I when came to work, I greeted another Corps secretary with a cherry “Mornin’!” But, instead of responding, she turned and walked away. Startled by her rudeness, I confided the incident to Jolene.
“The same thing happened to me, now that you mention it,” she complained, frowning. “It’s probably nothing, maybe news we two haven’t gotten yet that’s upsetting everyone.”
“Yeah, probably nothing,” I muttered aloud but inwardly, I reflected, “It’s still no excuse to act like that.”
However, it didn’t end. Each day, all day, not one of the secretaries would speak to us outside of work-related tasks. I dreaded going to work.
As each week passed, Jolene became more withdrawn, until one day she just didn’t show up. “Where’s Jolene?” I asked my superior.
“She won’t be coming back. I can’t say why,” she responded. But, I knew why. Without admitting how badly it was affecting her, Jolene had taken early retirement - anything to escape the rejection. Being someone who thrived on relationship, for her, the vacuum had been beyond bearing.
Because I am naturally industrious, I kept busy, numb to the situation. Literally burying myself in a closet of unsorted uncategorized Corps of Engineers’ Mylar maps that had gone ignored for at least two decades, I took on the task of their classification.
Each morning, I’d pour my cup of coffee, and pass the girls on the way into my “cave”. Anticipating the pleasant relief of my own company – and the Lord’s, I’d escape, using the time to pray or think.
Then one morning about five or six months into my monastic existence, I discovered the ever-present Diane was missing. The interesting part was that the girls started greeting me – from the start of her absence.
“Good morning!” I was greeted. It was like music. The missing element, human interaction, had returned. “Where’s Diane,” I asked one of the department heads, not caring to know - really.
“She’s gone, out sick,” came an answer, but not the real truth. I learned the reasons of both the why of her absence as well as what was behind the girls’ mistreatment. Along with the revelations came a deeper understanding of the grace of God in my life to correct wrongs I suffered.
Diane had developed a bad case of “buttock” boils and couldn’t sit down; she was therefore unable to work. Curious, I searched the Bible for the word “boil”. It sounded familiar.
Sure enough, I found it - in both Exodus Chapter 9 and Deuteronomy Chapter 28. Boils were something used as a source of punishment or discipline by God to teach people not to do wrong. Another revelation subsequent to my Bible Study tied it all together.
A Christian co-worker explained, “Diane was once a practicing Christian. Disenchanted with Christianity, your and Jolene’s conversations irked her. She envied what you had, but rather than examine her own underlying attitudes, ruining your and Jolene’s joy was easier. So, Diane convinced the rest of us to snub you two.”
“Why?” I asked, feeling disgusted. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen “groupthink” in action. She simply shrugged; the harm was done.
If I’d only known about Diane’s struggles with her faith, I might’ve helped her rediscover how truly good God is! As for Jolene, how I wished she could have been present to see the truth, and to see how complete God’s deliverance can be!
The Lord’s Prayer says, “…and deliver us from evil.” I'm convinced; he does!
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I like how the MC wrestled with thoughts of "tyring to help had she known" -- it showed her great faith and true spirit.
Well done.
God bless~
God BLess~