Solution Series: Spirits

Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done. On Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And, lead us not into temptation. For, thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen. Our Father...hallowed be thy name...thy kingdom come...thy will be done...on Earth...in Heaven...give us this day...forgive us our trespassors...forgive those who trespassed against us...lead us not into tempation....kindom, power, glory forever...give us this day....forgive our us our trespasses...lead us not into temptation...forever...lead us...forever....Amen.

BT turned around to see who had requested his attention. It was none other than Sidney Carter—the mysterious man that sneaked into the back towards the end of the meeting. Sidney was a local minister ,who had gained a reputation as very a intimidating and authoritative leader. It was his way—which in his eyes was “God’s way”—or the highway.

“Oh, Pastor Carter! Sure! What can I do for you?”

“Well, first of all, brother, I really want to let ya know how much I like what you doin’ with the college kids. It sho’ is a blessing to see what ya’ll tryna do for our young folks.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate that. We are just trying to do our part, ya know?”

“Yea, I know. I know. I just have a few concerns about ya program. It’s good that you got the college kids and all, but it would probably be better if you had some adults workin’ with ya too. I just would hate for stuff to go wrong. I mean yall’s meeting just about got outta control. I just think ya could use a lil help from some older folks.”

“I’ll…I’ll think about it. I think we’re fine though. Everything is under control.

“I really don’t think it is. Look, this is what I’m willin’ to do for ya. I’ll let you move ya program over to the church and have a couple of my ministers help ya take control of things. Then, you can have me and Councilman Hicks come and speak to the kids and…”

“I’m sorry, Pastor, but with all due respect, we will not be needing your services. We will be fine with what we are building on now. But, again, thank you for the offer.”

“Look, boy can’t you see im tryna help you? Now, I heard about what you don done last year, and God done put it on my heart to save your lil project and take it to the next level. This is bigger than you and me. This is about doin’ God’s work. Don’t you know failure to do God’s work is a sin,boy?

At that moment, BT started boiling on the inside. For that moment in time, he hated Sidney, and he hated God. No, he hated the God that Sidney created—not the God that created Sidney. Yet, as that deep-seeded hatred spewed through BT’s body, infusing into his blood and wrapping its claws around his bones, his spirit calmed him. And, he responded to the minister by saying:

”Ok. Well, I will think over a plan that we can work on, and I’ll get back to you soon. I look forward to doing God’s work with you, pastor. “

BT had walked a tightrope between being respectful and being a coward. After all, Sidney was his elder and a leading figure in his community. He could not disrespect him. But, BT also knew that Sidney had no right to use God as a weapon. Or, at least not his God anyway.

As BT turned and headed back towards his car, he saw none other than Gene standing next to his driver’s side mirror with her arms folded and opprobrium written all over her face.

“What?” said BT with a sweet-and-sour blend of vexation and apathy in his voice.

“You know what”,said Gene as she stood with her arms still tightly folded, almost as if she foolishly believed that she could physically guard her heart.

They stared at each other for a moment. The tension grew like a magic beanstalk. Then, Gene muscled the courage to do what the bravest men have often feared to attempt. She talked.

She talked about the conversation that she had just witnessed between BT and Sidney. She talked about how they both looked like fools. She talked about how Sidney had no business talking to BT in such manner and how BT was a coward for letting it happen. She just kept talking.

“You walk around campus and all through Alexandria in a daze all the time, having all these dreams. You’ve been dreaming about this program for so long, and this man tries to take your dream from you, and you want to be a nice guy. Of all times, BT, now you want to be a nice guy!”

And, she was not done, yet. She kept talking. She talked about Sidney. She talked about his ulterior motives—how he cared more about the interior in his car than the kids of Alexandria. She talked about how Sidney just wanted to gain favor in the community because he has ambitions of running for mayor in the next election. She talked about his thirst for power, pride in himself, and abuse of the people.

“BT, he is against you! It makes no sense for you to run a literacy program and not be able to read the signs.”

She kept talking. BT knew that she was right. Yet, he would never admit it. That would give her too much power. And, when he admitted that to himself, he realized that, for that single moment in time, he was just like Sidney. At that moment, BT wanted to confess to Gene. He wanted her to pour out his fears and inundate her in his trials. He wanted to stop swimming upstream and, instead, ride the current.

But, he didn’t. He almost did. But, he didn’t. He just couldn’t. So, he didn’t.

The next moment came. BT started changing. His spirit started burgeoning again. He started thinking of what he could do to stop Sidney from taking over his program. Then, he thanked Gene for inspiring him, but he hid his praise behind a frustrated head shake, a head rub, a deep breath, and the words , “Yea, whatever”.

BT finally got into his car. He drove off. Gene still standing there—arms folded. As he gripped the steering wheel and his car glided down the street, he thought about God. He thought about Satan. He thought about the battle between these two ideas that he had heard stories of since he was a child. With his eyes open and staring at the road in front of him, he prayed. He prayed that he was on God’s side. He prayed that he would hear God’s voice and get all the answers. He prayed for the easy way out. Then, he thanked God. For what? He did not know. But, he thanked God.

By the time BT finished his prayer, he was halfway across the town from that old building at which they held the meeting. But, Gene was still there—arms folded. She kept talking. BT heard an alert from his phone. He had a text message.

“U R welcome [Gene Yus]”

BT smiled and shook his head. She kept talking.

OxyJon