The High Road

I'm an optimist to a fault. I have an unusual ability to look for the positive things in any situation and even ascribe positivism on behalf of others who hurt me. And I forget easily the things that have hurt me in the past.

Recently though, I was reminded of a time in my life when I was hurt. Not just me, it was the first time that my wife and I had been hurt as one...a unit...together.

Corie had dreamed of teaching at a certain school all her life, and had even been led by the administration of that school to believe she was a candidate to be hired. It seemed like a dream circumstance as I was going to be pastoring in the area, and she would be able to work there as well.

As Corie neared graduation and our wedding, she submitted an application and resume' only to be called in and told that she would not be able to teach there because she was marrying me. The school had a statement of faith that differed from our theological position in periphial doctrines. And because I was a minister they felt that it created irreconcilable differences; that their children were at risk because of the difference in beliefs.

It hurt us quite badly, though I'm not sure I ever felt it as hard as Corie did. Both of us loved that school and had looked forward to contributing to its mission. Perhaps it hurt because in so many ways they had led Corie to believe everything was ok, only to turn against us in the end.

Sometimes we get hurt, intentionally or not so. I guess it's important that we consider how we handle it. My response was to respect their peroggative to hire whoever they wanted, and to offer my help and contribution in whatever I still could do to their mission. (I was never taken up on that offer)

Pastor Phil called it the "High Road". I call it living life with a view that probably God is going to order our steps and make our paths straight to where he wants us to be (Prov.3:5-6; Ps. 37:23)

Looking back...I think it was the best thing. It forced us away from things that were comfortable and more into the area of being faithful. Corie had a great experience with the school she went to. We maintain a good relationship with them even now that she's left full-time teaching.

To paraphrase a brillant poet (apologies to Robert Frost):

Two roads divurged in a yellow wood.
I took the road the Lord led me down,
And that has made all the difference.


--Ben