FOUR YEARS AGO

“Baby, how is it that you used to be a bad boy and yet you can’t dance! Your hips don’t even recognize the concept of movement.”

Ellen couldn’t help but mock Wilson as he tried dancing on the beach to a Kirk Franklin playlist. She lay in the shade under the hut, watching him look completely silly and enjoying every second. The newly-weds were on their honeymoon at a private beach resort in Florida and loving it. This was the first time they’d gotten a break from anything church-related, and it was meant to last all of two weeks.

“Ellen, I am a sanctified man now. If I start dancing my trademark dances, you will run away and start binding and loosing.”

Ellen rolled her eyes at the weak excuse from Wilson, who was all too happy to continue making a buffoon out of himself on the sand. He couldn’t see the eye roll on account of the massive brown shades she had on, which paired quite nicely with the chocolate sun dress she had on.

He waved over to her to join him, but she turned her face away like she hadn’t seen him. He waved again, and this time, she lowered her shades to her nose and peered over them at him. He shook his head and turned away, continuing his gleeful dancing.

She lay back and closed her eyes to get a sleep break, and was completely unprepared when Wilson lifted her. Her screams may have been loud, but they quickly turned into laughter as he whisked her away to their room.

***

PRESENT DAY

Josh turned the light on in the suit closet at Bishop Wilson’s office, and began taking out the old suits that needed washing. He counted about six suits, and a few hoodies which were casualties of sweat due to long hours of prayer. He put all of them in the blue dry-cleaning sack and was just about to leave when he heard the main door open.

He poked his head outside and it was Bishop Wilson, but he didn’t have his regular energy about him. He seemed sombre, like someone had died.

“Osofo, I thought you went home with Ellen oo.”

“Oh, I did, but I had to wake up early and come for your stuff to take to the cleaners.”

“Ei osofo, God richly bless you oo. For all the service you have rendered unto me and Ellen, and your unwavering loyalty to us, may the Lord increase you and forever exalt you among men.”

“Amen, bishop. I receive it.”

Josh was just about to walk out the door when his nagging curiosity got the better of him. He turned and went back to Bishop’s table, where bishop had just begun reading his bible for sermon prep.

“Bishop, please one minute oo.”

“Yes osofo, have a seat. What’s the matter?”

“Bishop, I think I should be the one asking that question. You haven’t seemed like yourself ever since you walked in. Is everything okay?”

“Osofo, you already know how the daily grind is. We just finished a half-night about what, three hours ago? I haven’t slept yet. I’ve just been jogging up and down our street while praying out loud. I’m just tired, but all is well.”

“Bishop, I’ve been your armor bearer for the last four years. I’ve experienced every single one of your experiences along with you. I’ve gone to battle beside you, against you, with you and for you. I’ve watched you go up against the top leaders of this church, and even the archbishop. Never once have I seen a look of complete grief on your face. This is more than just tiredness, bishop. What’s really going on?”

“Osofo, I really wish you and Ellen could find a way to function together. We all live under the same roof. Do you know how hard it is to have to defend you in private? Do you know how hard it is to have to attack you in public? You two are my main grounding in the faith; I hate to have to judge between you both. But if it comes down to it, you know which way I’ll lean.”

Josh shook his head in disappointment, aghast at the unnecessary flip he’d just been a part of. He got up, took the sack of clothes, and made his way out.

Once the door shut, Wilson moved quickly to lock it, went back to the seat and started banging his head against the table. The more he did it, the harder each bang was.

An old coffee mug soon became the weapon of his rage, the wall was his target, and he did not miss.

“Why have you forsaken me, God! Why! I built this place back up from the ground, changed the culture, and oversaw it until it thrived. I preached Your word and ministered mightily unto Your people. I did things that no one in the main branch thought had ever dreamed could be done here, including the purchase of this new premises. And now they want to force me out, and you watch them go through with it as you sit there and observe? Where are you, God? All the sacrifices, all the energy spent, all in your name, and this is the thanks I get? What justice is in this, Father? How is this just? How are you just in letting this fly? How?!”

***

FOUR YEARS AGO

With pure joy, Archbishop Rhamses King waited as the phone rang until it was picked. “Wilson! My newest son-in-law! Thou art blessed indeed, osofo.”

“Yes, papa. I greet you, archbishop.”

“How is my daughter?”

“She’s doing very well, papa. She’s just asleep here beside me.”

“What you have done to my daughter, eh? Now de3 she doesn’t even pick up when I call. Have you two not enjoyed the honeymoon enough? She is still my daughter oo! Maaba!”

Laughter followed on both ends of the phone before Wilson answered. “Oh papa, I will definitely ask her to give you a call. Our phones have been on silent throughout just so we can fully be in each moment.”

Rhamses smiled and shook his head in absolute satisfaction. “Let her call me once you get back. Don’t even worry her now kraa before she calls me in anger. Meanwhile, I need you to do something for me.”

“Yes, papa.”

“Our church in Oklahoma just lost their guest pastor for this weekend.”

“Bishop Rupert’s church?”

“The very one. I’ve asked Rupert to go to Nevada on assignment, but the guy he found suddenly fell ill. That church is still battling back from the major shakeup that happened three months ago, so we can’t send just anyone. I know it’s your honeymoon, I know you’re still very much newlyweds, but I need you and Ellen to go there for just this Sunday.”

Wilson looked at the phone to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. Did Archbishop really ask him to go and preach somewhere? On his honeymoon, no less?

“Wilson? Wilson, are you there? Can you hear me?”

Wilson picked up his voice quickly. “Yes, papa. I can hear you well.”

“I know it’s a hard thing to as you to do, but this is the work of God. Things come up at inconvenient times, and we are called to answer God’s assignments come what may. This is just the first of many inconveniently timed assignments. I feel strongly that it has to be you, but I will give you the option of deciding. Let me know by tonight.”

“Yes papa, I will get back to you tonight.”

“Don’t keep me waiting, son. Tell my daughter hello for me. We’ll speak again tonight.”

“Yes papa, I’ll do that.”

Wow, Wilson really flipped out right there! His frustration’s pretty understandable, though, especially as we continue to see into the past. You still wonder what’s yet to come, though…