Sunday Reflection–My Story

Some of you have been nice enough to read my ramblings about God, my faith, my struggles, etc.  I appreciate it greatly.  To give you some context, I thought I would share my spiritual story.

I grew up in a good family.  My parents were part of the “greatest generation” whose lives and values were formed by the Great Depression and World War II.  My father was a hard worker whose greatest act of love was to provide for his family as best as he could.  However, neither of my parents had a strong faith background.  So, I grew up with good family values, a good work ethic, but God was something we never thought or talked about.

Betty grew up in a family of faith so God has always been a part of her life.  Why she married me, I don’t know, but I’m glad she did.  After we had kids we thought maybe we ought to go to church so they would get some exposure – not me, but them.

Because of our kids I started my church phase.  For twelve years we regularly went to church.  I even joined some of the leadership boards.  I was a good ‘church man,’ but, looking back, I didn’t have any knowledge or awareness of a personal relationship with God.  It just wasn’t on my radar.

During this same time my career with Procter & Gamble (P&G) was progressing steadily.  My value system at that time was wrapped up in my career.  It was probably something I caught from my father.  Providing for my family was the highest good for a man – at least that’s what I thought at the time.  If my career was going well, and it was, then I was a good person.

Net, I didn’t need God.  I was doing just fine, thank you very much.

We were in Memphis, Tennessee and I was managing the P&G location there.  As part of a cost savings, our location was closed and I was transferred to P&G headquarters in Cincinnati. The job assignment I was given wasn’t one that I particularly enjoyed and my boss, who was a good man, smoked big, black cigars which I hated.  My first year in Cincinnati was not a good one, career-wise.  My value system, based on my career success, was shaken during this time.  I didn’t know what the future held and that scared me.

During this time we joined a small group at our church.  One of the members had just lost his job as a senior vice-president for a local firm.  He was out of work for over a year, but all he could talk about was his personal relationship with Jesus.  He was the happiest, most content person I knew – and I thought he was nuts.

Our two sons were growing in their faith through their involvement with their youth.  I could see real changes in them, but I didn’t understand those changes at all.

A short time later we attended a Christian retreat.  During this weekend three things happened.  First, Betty was healed of migraine headaches.  Second, one of the speakers talked about Jesus’ crucifixion and how all the disciples ran away scared for their own lives.  Yet, shortly after his resurrection they gave their lives to share his life and story with their worlds – even at the risk of their own lives.  What could make that kind of change in them. 

I realized that I had not personally dealt with the resurrection of Jesus even though I heard it spoken about a lot in church over the past twelve years.  I either believed it was true or I had to reject it.  I could no longer sit passively on the fence.

Finally, due to my unhappiness in my career, I realized I needed help – maybe even from God.  I wanted that same contentment in my life that I saw in my friend who had lost his job.

So, one night after going to bed, Betty had fallen asleep, but I was still struggling with all that had happened in my life.  Finally, I just said, “OK God, I’ll try it your way from now on.”

That was all.  No thunder and lightning.  No tongues of flame or wind.  I just rolled over and went to sleep.

But from that point on my life was changed from the inside out.  It was a process, but I’m a very different man than I was then – in 1984.  I think and act differently – nowhere near perfect – but certainly different.  I know now what it means to be content.

Best thing that ever happened to me.