a gift and a sorrow

I received a beautiful gift this week. I met with my successor at the pregnancy center. Our time together was filled with God's presence. She was so gracious and kind! One thing she said to me was, in her new position as executive director, she wanted to beg my forgiveness for the terrible injustice (being fired) that had been done to me. She started to cry as she said it. I told her she didn't have to do that as she hadn't been involved with any of it but she insisted. I was so touched! After our meeting, I had no doubt that she was the perfect person for the job. She has vast experience and she has a heart for the ministry.

She asked if we could co-author a newsletter article on my departure and her arrival. She asked that I pray about it. I told her I didn't need to pray about it because I thought writing the article together was an inspired idea. It would help me to say goodbye (and I knew I could now do it without animosity) but, more importantly, it would help donors understand what had happened. If we didn't write it, they'd be wondering who she was and where I went. It could help stem any gossip or conjecture still out there in the community about my departure.

When she asked the board president if we could do this, he denied permission without even reading what we'd written. (I hadn't sent her my part yet.) What was that about? Was he trying to silence me? What did he fear would happen? Didn't he know that he'd have editorial control over anything I wrote? I believe the article would have helped the center by answering donors' questions about the situation. I was willing to help in this way and I was saddened by his reaction.

I want to share with you what we wrote. I think it turned out nicely! Of course, that may be because nice things were said about me. Ha!

I have taken out her name and the center's name to protect identities.

+ + + + +

The very first time I met Joanne I fell in love with her heart. I had come to the center to gather the final details necessary to add them to the Infoline Services my center was able to provide through our Positive Alternatives Grant. In my position there as Director of Client Services and Outreach, I worked with other centers to provide after-hour and weekend phone coverage.

Joanne’s passion for providing a safe place for women struggling with unplanned pregnancies was apparent within the first few minutes we spent together. Her joy and warmth made me instantly feel welcome, much as I’m sure it did for every woman who walked through the doors of the center. Her gentle mother’s heart and love for the Lord created an instant bond between us. Little did I know that two years later I would be privileged and challenged to follow in her giant footsteps.
Name Withheld
 
The very first time I met "N" I felt an instant kinship with her. I knew right away we were sisters through our faith and in the fight for little lives. Her gentle and compassionate spirit will go a long way in her new position. I know, with her many gifts and talents, she will be a great asset to the center!

I was blessed to have been the executive director of the center for 13 years. It was an opportunity to help women understand how precious their children truly are. To be at the helm of the center as the parenting education and ultrasound programs began and then flourished and more and more clients came for help was a special privilege for me. These days, God is calling me to a different ministry, one in which I can praise Him and encourage others to praise Him in a more profound way through music. While I go forward, I look back with great fondness for the clients, the donors, volunteers and staff members who helped me become closer to God by sharing their lives with me.
Joanne

As we move forward into this new season we build on the beautiful foundations of faith and love Joanne has left for us. A foundation firmly set on the sanctity of human life and the mandate to stand in the gap for every unborn child. To love both mother and child. To share the truth in love and reach out with loving arms that invite her to choose life.
 
+ + + + +

What a blessing it was to read her words! I feel very privileged to know her. It will be fun to see her in action.