Prevenience of God?
Is there such a thing as the “Prevenient” grace of God? Does He work in us before we become Christians? I think He does.
My initial inkling that I wasn’t where God wanted me happened during my first week of work in the dream job. Colonel Jack H. Griffith, Jr., the Fort Dix Chief of Staff, buzzed me on the intercom to invite me to my inaugural meeting with all the post directors. Jack Griffith referred to these as the “heavy hitters” of the installation, and I was the newly installed Protocol Officer. I wasn’t sure what a “heavy hitter” was, but I was ready to learn.
I jumped up, put on my green uniform coat, and grabbed my steno book and a pen. That’s when it happened. Breast milk was oozing right through my shirt, and quickly soaking my coat. By the time I got upstairs, I had a patch of milk spreading just under my nametag on the right, and soaking my awards on the left. It was time to feed my baby!
But I was an Army Captain! I’d landed the headquarters job and was about to rub shoulders with the bigs! I’d done this career and baby thing before. The second child wasn’t supposed to cause me to rethink my priorities. I was a woman in conflict: should I make an excuse, miss the important meeting, and feed my baby, or should I wad up some paper towels, shove them in my shirt, and go to the meeting? I chose the meeting. Baby Mark got the bottle.
When I got back to my desk a small voice whispered in my heart, “your body was made to feed your baby – go home!” I brushed away a stray tear, and started planning the Commanding General’s garden party.
Great story, Anne! I hope this is only part 1 . . . looking forward to reading more of the story! I know where you have ended up, and the ending is pretty terrific.
I love the way you tell this story, and the ending–brushing away a tear to plan the general’s garden party–puts everything into such clear perspective. I talked about your post last night in the Jesus on Leadership class.
It’s ok mom! Mark is a giant now…he could afford to miss a few feedings then and can afford to miss a few more now!
I like this story! Puts things in perspective and it’s nice reading what was going on with you when we were babies and knowing where you are now!
Thanks honey. I’m glad God got hold of me and I got to truly enjoy you. XOX
Hi Anne, My name is Barb Griffith. I am Col. Jack Griffith’s oldest daughter. I was stunned to read your story and see my dad’s name in it. You wrote this not long ago and my dad died Dec. 24, 1986. I was 18 when he died, so my perspective of him is through a teenager’s eyes. I continually want to learn more about the man, leader, friend, co-worker that he was. I’d love to talk with you about what it was like to work for him. Please email if you can: barbsteinberg@austin.rr.com. Thank you!