“Altoid” Theology–or A New Adventure
Posted on June 25, 2007
Filed Under Generally Spiritual (few if any geek references) | 1 Comment
“Hey Scott, you got an Altoid?”
Scott introduced me to the potent little breath mints. I figured he probably had plenty to spare. He looked up at me from his cubicle and I could tell right away that something was wrong.
“Dude, you look like you are having a bad day,” I said.
“You don’t know the half of it,” Scott replied. “They just laid off Vince–and then Rob!”
“Oh, man, that’s not good. I’m very sorry to hear that. Well…ah, the reason why I asked for an Altoid is that I have a meeting with my manager in about 3 minutes…”
Scott looked up at me again as if to say not you too!
I looked back at him as if to say yes, me too.
He just shook his head and gave a deep sigh. I thought for a moment there he was going to pound his fist on the desk or something.
Scott didn’t have any Altoids that day, but it didn’t matter. I was certain that with God’s help I could bring to the meeting a “sweet fragrance,” to borrow a term from Scripture. Thanks to prayers from friends and family, I felt ready for this turn of events: positive, a little nervous, but no resentment no bitterness, no feeling sorry for myself. I was actually starting to get excited about the prospects of a new adventure. At 10:35 AM June 21, 2007 that adventure was officially launched–when I was laid off.
I think I can safely say that my manager and the HR guy were a tad taken back by me. They both looked like they were at a funeral. On the other hand, while trying to be respectful and not come off as flippant, I felt rather upbeat about the whole process. They re-assured me that this was a difficult decision for everyone and that this was no reflection on my performance and not to take it personally but that drastic measures needed to be made, etc. Emotionally, I was beyond all that already. I was eager to see what God has in store for me next.
To make matters just a tad more confusing for them, as we were wrapping up, I turned to the HR guy said to him, “this is probably a very long day for you, isn’t it?” For just a moment he let down is professional demeanor and said, “Yes. This is difficult for all of us.” You see, I knew that he had an entire day full of these meetings. He was going from lay-off to lay-off to lay-off to lay-off all day long. It occurred to me that this must be draining for him.
My new found sense of hope was nothing short of a miracle–there is no other way to explain it. Other people through their prayers and support helped make that day easier for me. They brought into my life a “sweet fragrance” by pointing me to God.
The gift of hope that I received through this event made just enough room in my otherwise self absorbed heart to get me to consider someone else for a change. I would like to think that I passed on to the HR guy–and my manager–an “Altoid” of sorts, on a day when lots of us could use a little encouragement.
Have you ever been around people who are like an “Altoid” to you? That is to say, they bring to the world a fresh, invigorating attitude. They can be a little overwhelming at times I suppose, but all in all “Altoid” types of people are a huge blessing in our lives. Their hope and joy is contagious. They can turn an otherwise “foul smelling” situation into a sweet fragrance.
I am by no means an “Altoid” person by nature (you can ask my wife!), but I want to be one. When I have hope, being decent to other people is a whole lot easier.
A lot of people are praying for my family and me, and they are like “Altoids” to us. They are encouraging, refreshing, full of hope and faith and life. Right now, help from “Altoid” people in our life is coming in the form of prayer–and I can literally feel the difference.
Later on, when this new adventure gets a lot more difficult, I’m sure that many “Altoid” types will add to their prayers actions like a shoulder to lean on, or taking the kids for a weekend or a flower for my wife or a meal just to encourage us–all of that sort of thing–because they are just that type of people. They breathe refreshing life into others because of the hope in them.
Altoids.
I will never look at them the same way again.
I want to be an “Altoid” in a world where depression is rampant, cynicism is the norm and a grumbling, complaining, “all about me”attitude abounds. I think this lay off proved to me that I can do it: I can be a little bit more Christ-like and a bit less of a whiner, if I’m willing to let God change my heart. If it takes challenges like getting laid off in order to get my attention and show me that a hope filled life is a far better way to live, then bring ‘em on!
PS: You can read more of my “adventures in lay offs” in my next installment. I think I’ll title it “Finding truths in Bilbo Baggins.” Actually, I’ll probably tell you all you never wanted to know about “Mento theology.” I was thinking a lot about Mentos before getting laid off. Now more than ever, I feel like I need some serious “Mentos” in my life.
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Altoids rock! Need to have both kinds more in my life!