“That’s one of the things we as men have to live with,” he told the boys, “the consequence of our actions. We don’t have to beat ourselves up about it every day, but we have to know that our actions have consequences and sometimes those consequences live with us forever. Our challenge is to learn from our mistakes, not repeat them, and to help someone else along the way.”
As the meeting settled into what Francine imagined was its standard rhythm, she studied Stuart’s interaction with the teens. It was obvious that they respected him and that his opinion carried a lot of weight with them. It was equally obvious that he cared about them and respected them as men. She felt good inside, to see him at work. She guessed it was something she needed to see: a sincere man of God doing the work of the Lord without fanfare and without thoughts of gain. It was refreshing and encouraging to observe. She appreciated as well the way he included her and allowed her to share with the boys whose hearts he prayerfully protected. He demonstrated a level of trust in her that made her ashamed at the lack of trust she’d originally held for him. How badly she’d misread him!
After about ninety minutes, the meeting ended with a prayer led by Timothy. “I like them,” she said after the last young man had left.
“You’re a natural with them,” Stuart said, smiling at her. “Have you worked with young people before?”
She glanced away before answering. “Before I left here, and at the last church I went to.”
He leaned against one of the metal folding chairs. “The memories of that place aren’t all bad, are they?”
She shook her head. “Some of them are really sweet, really wonderful.”
“Why not focus on those memories then? Look at the good that God did.”
Francine knew Stuart had no idea how much she wanted to embrace his words. “How can I when so much ugliness was there?”
“Because it’s a reminder that in the midst of whatever atrocities are at work, God will make Himself known to hearts that are open to Him. It’s about God, Francine, its not about the evildoers. Focus on what God did, not what they did.”
“It’s hard,” she said. “It’s hard to separate them in my mind. When I first went there, I fully associated everything there with God.”
“But now you know that isn’t true?”
She nodded.
“Do you think everybody there was insincere?”
“Not everybody. There were people who came through who thirsted after God, but I wonder how many other people we corrupted? How many did Bishop Payne manipulate and seduce? How many hearts open to God were closed because of what they experienced there?” She squeezed her eyes shut. “There were so many souls, Stuart. I still see them in my heart. I see their need in a way that I didn’t see it when I was there. They were so hungry for some direction in their lives, and that made them prime targets for manipulation. Do you know that there were some people there who sought the Bishop’s advice on every—and I do mean every—decision they made?” Opening her eyes, she said, “I should have seen it, the evil, I should have seen it earlier.”
“You had no clue?”
She looked deep inside her heart before answering him. “In hindsight, I saw some things that concerned me but I explained them all away. For example, I knew that we grossly mismanaged the money—I have the past-due credit card bills as evidence—but that was okay because we were supporting the ministry. Our all-night Bible studies promoted irresponsibility at work, but that was okay because we needed the Word more than we needed our jobs. So what if the members seemed to rely on Bishop Payne more than God? He was the shepherd God had placed to guard their souls, so that was all right too. But the illicit sex, I couldn’t explain away the sex. The predatory nature of the sexual abuse could not be ignored.” She cast a self-conscious smile at Stuart. “Whew, I bet you didn’t expect all of that, did you? I’m sorry.”
He shook his head. “Don’t be sorry. I’m glad you felt comfortable enough with me to share what you did. You have a lot going on inside.”
“I guess I do,” Francine said. “The most difficult for me is thinking about the people, the souls, still there. That’s hard.”
“Have you been praying about it?”
“I’m ashamed to say that I haven’t been, not really.”
He took her hands in his. “Then why don’t we start tonight.” He bowed his head. “Father God, I thank you for my sister Francine. I thank you for the heart she has toward You. I thank you for the heart she has for Your people. I pray You give her clarity of thought and prayer about the lives she left behind in Ohio. I pray that each soul in Temple Church that is truly seeking You will find You. I pray that the abuse and the abusers will be exposed and demolished. Thank You for being able to make a way out of no way, to find solutions when we can’t even verbalize the problems very well. We thank You for being God. In Jesus’s Name. Amen.”
“Amen,” Francine said. “Thanks, again, Stuart. I seem to find myself saying that a lot around you.”
“That’s good,” he said with a smile. “I like hearing it.”
She took her hand from his and wiped at her eyes.
“Have you heard of Sister Betty?” he said, leading her out of the meeting room.
“The Christian comedienne?” When he nodded, she said, “Yes, she’s hilarious. I have all her books and a couple of her tapes.”
“Well, she’s going to be in town at the Comedy Club next week. Would you like to go? Genesis House is sponsoring the event. Sister Betty is a big supporter.”
Francine hesitated, thinking about the wedding ring Stuart still wore, but she decided to go with her heart. “I’d love to.”
Chapter 19
Stuart and Sly stayed in the meeting room after the other members of Faith Central’s Leadership Team exited their regular monthly Saturday morning meeting. Rev. Thomas had asked for a few minutes with them before their prayer partners’ meeting.
“I won’t keep you long,” Rev. Thomas said as he sat down. Instead of choosing his regular seat at the head table, he sat at the table with Stuart and Sly, facing them. “How are things going with Ted Campbell and BCN, Stuart? I deliberately didn’t bring him up in the meeting this morning, but I do want an update.”
“He took our comments into consideration,” Stuart told the pastor. “But there’s a clause in his proposal that still needs some work. I passed along to him a similar clause from the Genesis House contract as an example of something that Faith Central could support. It has provisions for profit sharing by individual contributors as well as guidelines for the selection of a Board of Directors.”
“What’s your read on this guy?” the pastor asked.
Stuart shrugged. “I don’t want to make any hasty judgments.”
“I’m not asking you to,” Rev. Thomas said. “Give me your impressions.”
“To be honest, he didn’t seem too happy that I had changes for his revised proposal, but I get the feeling that he really wants Faith Central on board so he’s willing to be accommodating.”
“But you don’t think he’s coming from a good place in his heart?” Rev. Thomas said, getting to the core of Stuart’s concerns.
“I didn’t say that,” Stuart said.
Rev. Thomas chuckled. “I heard what you said and I also heard what you didn’t say.” He glanced at Sly. “What did you hear, Sly?”
“The same as you, Pastor. Stuart has some reservations about the guy, but he’s not ready to put them on the table yet.”
“That right, Stuart?”
“Yes, sir. Let’s wait and see what he does with the Genesis House clause. His actions there will tell where his heart is.”
The pastor tipped his chin downward. “I agree with you. I think the Lord is doing something here with us and with Campbell. But it’s not clear to me that He’s leading us to be a part of BCN. I don’t think that’s the issue. We need to keep Campbell in our prayers so we don’t miss what God’s trying to do. Agreed?”
Both Sly a
nd Stuart nodded.
Rev. Thomas directed his attention to Sylvester. “Sly, I’m going to do something I don’t usually do. I’m going to talk to you about something that normally I would discuss in private.”
Sly sat up straighter in his chair. “Sir?”
“Since you and Stuart are prayer partners, I’m going to say my piece to both of you.”
“I can wait outside, Pastor,” Stuart said.
Rev. Thomas waved off his offer. “No need. You two don’t have many, if any, secrets from each other, do you?”
Sly and Stuart looked at each other and shook their heads.
“Okay, then,” Rev. Thomas said, his gaze holding Sly’s. “Sly, I much prefer it when people come to me with their problems, rather than me go to them. Even though you haven’t come to me, your situation has been brought to my attention.”
Sly shot a glance at Stuart.
“No, Stuart hasn’t mentioned anything to me, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“That’s not what I was thinking,” Sly said.
“The run-in between you and Walter Andrews at Mother Harris’s picnic a few weeks back was brought to my attention. A thing has gone too far when people outside of it start telling me about it.”
Sly felt Stuart’s eyes on him. He could feel his friend’s surprise at the pastor’s revelation. “I was going to tell you about that today, Stuart,” he said.
Stuart nodded, but he was on alert.
“Why don’t you tell me about it?” Rev. Thomas asked. “I know you and Dawn are having problems.” At Sly’s raised brow, he added, “Don’t look so surprised. I’m the shepherd responsible for your soul, Sly. Not much gets by me. I’ve got connections in high places.”
“So I see,” Sly murmured.
“That doesn’t mean I know all your business, but I do know something’s not right with you and Dawn. The fight with Walter suggests to me that he’s somehow involved in the trouble you’re having. Is that right?”
Sly nodded. “But it’s not what you think.”
“Why don’t you tell me what it is then.”
“I’d rather not,” Sly told the pastor. “Dawn asked that I not speak of it outside our home.”
Rev. Thomas glanced at Stuart. “But you told Stuart?”
Sly nodded. “I needed some help and I knew he’d keep it quiet.”
Pastor folded his arms across his chest. “So you think I’m going to blab your business all over town?”
“No, no,” Sly rushed to say.
“Then what is it?”
Sly dropped his head. “I don’t want to tell you because I’m ashamed. I don’t want you to think less of me and I know you will when you hear the details.”
Rev. Thomas sighed. “Sly, Sly, I thought you were smarter than this. What’s done is done. Now, today, we’re about you being able to accept and walk in the forgiveness that God gives. If you’re on the verge of fighting at Sunday afternoon church functions, I don’t think you’re there yet.”
Stuart rested a hand on Sly’s shoulder. “Tell him, Sly. You’ve been holding this in too long.”
The story tumbled out of Sly, punctuated by his tears. “Dawn’s having a hard time forgiving me,” he said as he finished the story. “The incident that Sunday was because I think Walter’s coming on to her. They talk a lot and I’m afraid she’s going to end up doing the same thing I did.”
Pastor nodded. “She might if she’s not careful.”
“That’s what I keep telling her, but she won’t listen.”
Pastor turned to Stuart. “What’s your counsel in this situation, Stuart?”
“I think they need to talk to a third party.”
Pastor glanced at Sly. “Why haven’t you?”
“Dawn doesn’t want to and I can’t force her.”
“What about you?” Reverend asked Sly.
“‘Me?”
“Yes, you,” Pastor said. “It’s better if both of you seek counseling, but you need to even if she doesn’t.”
“But—”
The pastor leaned forward, his arms folded on the table in front of him. “No buts, Sly. You came very close to engaging in fisticuffs at a church function. Things have gotten out of hand. Don’t you see that?”
Sly wiped his hands down his face. “I guess I haven’t wanted to think closely about it.”
“I guess not,” Rev. Thomas agreed. “Well, I’d like to counsel both you and Dawn. If she doesn’t want to do this for herself or for the good of your marriage, you might suggest to her that she do it for the ministry. You both are part of the Leadership Team at Faith Central and you have to set the example. We all fall short of what God wants from us at one time or another, but that doesn’t give us the freedom or the leisure to wallow in falling short. It may not be fair, but the standards are even higher for you and Dawn because you’re leaders.”
“I understand, Pastor,” Sly said. “You’re right, of course. I’ll talk to Dawn.”
Rev. Thomas nodded. “Good. I believe she’ll do the right thing, but even if she doesn’t, I want you to schedule to meet with me next week, all right?”
Sly nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Good, good,” Rev. Thomas said. He glanced again at Stuart. “You have anything you want to add here?”
Stuart shook his head. “No, sir.”
“Okay, then,” Pastor Thomas said, “if all minds and hearts are clear, let’s pray.” He closed his eyes and bowed his head.
“Father God, we thank You for loving us when we are most unlovable. We thank You for meeting us where we are. This morning I bring my brother Sly and my sister Dawn before You. Lord, You love them individually and You love them as the one they are in marriage. Restore their union, O Lord, to the fullness that only You can give. Use a situation—a sin—that could destroy their marriage to make their marriage stronger. Only You can do that, Father, and we humbly ask now that You do. Father, we also pray this morning for Rev. Campbell. We don’t know yet why You brought him into our lives, but we know You did it for a purpose. We pray so that You keep our eyes, ears, and hearts open to Your will that we may deal with him according to Your purpose. We pray all these things in Jesus’s name. Amen.”
After the prayer, Rev. Thomas left the two men to their prayer partner meeting.
“As usual,” Sly said, “my issues have dominated our time together.”
Stuart slapped him on his shoulder. “Don’t think of it that way. We bear each other’s burdens. You’re there for me when I need you. You were there during Marie’s sickness and when she died. I can never repay you for that.”
“It isn’t about payback,” Sly said. “Now, what’s up with you this week?”
“You sure you don’t want to talk about what happened with Walter or what’s going to happen when you talk to Dawn?”
Sly shook his head. “I’ll talk to Dawn tonight. If I focus on it too much, it’ll only add to my stress.” He chuckled. “Believe me, after what just went on with Rev. Thomas, I welcome the opportunity to talk about you.”
Stuart chuckled too. “Okay, I believe you.”
“So what’s up? I meant to thank you again for working with us on the proposal for the funeral home. Dawn and I started working on the business plan, and it’s shaping up nicely. We should have a draft for you and Francine to review soon.”
“Good,” Stuart said. “Let me know if there’s anything else I can help with.”
Sly nodded. “So how did dinner go with you and Francine?”
Stuart twisted the wedding ring on his finger. “It went well. I enjoyed her company and I think she enjoyed mine. I invited her to come to my TFMA group and she did.”
Sly leaned forward, quickly latching onto the positive topic. “I didn’t know about that.”
“It wasn’t a big deal,” Stuart said, even though he knew it was. “The boys liked her and she liked them.”
“What about you?” Sly asked. “Do you like her?”
Stuart met h
is friend’s gaze. “I asked her to go to see Sister Betty with me next weekend.”
Sly slapped him on the back. “Well, that was quick work.”
“Don’t get too far ahead of me,” Stuart warned. “We’re friends and we’re going out. That’s all.”
“As long as Francine knows that, it’s okay with me. I don’t want her to be hurt. She’s been through so much already.” Stuart understood Sly’s concern for his sister-in-law.
“We’ve talked about Marie.”
“Good,” Sly said. “Francine needs friends and she couldn’t do any better than you.”
Stuart slapped him on the back. “Thanks for the character reference.”
Sly laughed.
~ ~ ~
Seated at a back booth at Friendly’s restaurant on Saturday evening, Francine rubbed her palms together when the waitress brought out a huge banana split made of five different flavors of ice cream. “I’m going to enjoy this,” she said to Dolores.
“A Jim Dandy,” Dolores said with a shrug. “I’ve never heard of it.”
Dipping her spoon into the vanilla ice cream portion of the outrageous dessert, Francine said, “Are you sure you don’t want one?”
Dolores scooped her spoon into Francine’s dessert. “Sure, I want one,” she said, “but mine would show up on my hips before I got out of the door.”
Francine chuckled. “You’re too funny.”
“Please. I’m not even joking. I already have hips for days.”
“There is nothing wrong with your hips,” Francine told her big-boned and well-proportioned friend. “You don’t have a weight problem.”
Dolores started to dip her spoon into the ice cream again, but then placed her spoon down on the table next to her. “I would if I had Jim Dandys every day.”
“So would I,” Francine said, “which is why I only have them on special occasions.”
“What special occasion is this?”
Francine tilted her head toward Dolores. “I feel like I’ve made a new friend.”
Dolores smiled. “So do I. You know, I’m glad you suggested seeing a movie. I needed to get out.”
“Workaholic, huh?”
Dolores’s shoulders lifted slightly. “That’s the way it is when you have your own business. There’s always something else to do.”
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