hypocritepoet

Let me tell you my story of a green handshake. This isn't the kind of story that will result in an epiphany. I just really enjoyed the experience.

Do you know what the green handshake is? I have a feeling you do. But, it's the process of palming a few folded $20s or a C-note and shaking a person's hand. It's a clandestine way to say 'hey, here's some cash because I love you and I didn't have a card, or I didn't want to spend $5 to give you a hundred'. Cash, in spite of what the gift card industry tries to make us believe, is still king. As someone whose love-language is gift-giving, I am certain this is nothing new to you.

We always make it a point (if we're able) to gift visiting Bethelites and other special full-time servants something. Whether they are GB or wet-behind-the-ears, the branch may care for their needs, but everyone has wants... they make life a little sweeter. If we plan well, they get a nice card with a long rambling letter by yours truly. If we plan poorly, they get a green handshake. Honestly, I like the handshake better. I LOVE seeing the change in their countenance when they realize you're trying to be clever and swift for them.

So, with Mark Noumair, we planned poorly. Well, not SO poor that we went out at lunch and hit an ATM, we had cash for him, but no attractive delivery method. AND my assignment kept me on the go all day, so I had trouble tracking down where he was sitting. Thought I saw him all day coming and going back stage, I was unable to find that quiet moment together to make the exchange.

Toward the end of the last talk, I started to worry I wouldn't get the chance. I might be able to catch him when he came down after the program, but there is usually a small mob. I could just give it to Steve (CO) to pass along. BUT, I thought, 'what's the point of being a department overseer if I can't just go wherever I want in my department?' Which felt a little like I was taking advantage of my role, which it would be, but not for my own gain. It was for someone else.

The justification felt valid. I liked it.

So, I decided, I'd just 'need' to be back stage at the concluding prayer and force a run-in. It did mean abandoning my poor wife to sing by herself and stand alone for the prayer, but you can't do everything.

Sure enough, right off of his-eye-watering prayer, he comes off stage and of course our team of stage hands and attendants are all exited to than him. Handshakes and warm smiles all around.

And I realize, I've misjudged this moment and I won't be able to corner him because we all kind of just stand around staring at each other for about 5m after a program like the one we've just had. About halfway through the flank of brothers, I just jump right in and slap his hand for the green handshake.

And, there it is. The melting countenance when they realize you've thought they might want to buy a t-shirt, or something nice for their wives while they're here. That you're not just offering a kind word, but a kindness. Love with its workbooks on, as it's been called.

Of course I know he's got other brothers to greet, so I don't want to linger or bother him, but I can't help but lean in and give him a hug that kind of moves me, because his plea to us all to keep enduring was SO touching during the talk and closing prayer, and he gives me a firm squeeze and says 'thank you, brother for your thoughtfulness.' And I melt a little more because I generally feel so thought-LESS.

I unclasped and let him get to the next brother, but before he does, he deftly slips the gift from right hand to left and slips it into his pocket in what is probably a very very well practiced move after so many many years in the special full-time service.

As I step aside to let the next man offer his thanks he grabs my should and say, 'really, thank you brother so MUCH for your thoughtfulness.' Which makes me beam and I think of Matt 25:40 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me'.

IDK if Mark is anointed or not. He's a helper to the GB, most likely OS like most of us. But it is all the same, is it not? Helping the helper is helping the one in need regardless. The littlest thing we do is a contribution to the fulfillment of that scripture.

I like to imagine he brought donuts to the next Wednesday GB meeting. :–)

Moments like that don't mean nothing to those men who travel around the world to serve their brothers, but I think the 'widow's might' moments probably impact them a lot more. Like the little kid's ebullient ‘YES'!

But our own moments, big or small, sure mean a lot more to us.

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During the final part of the day (Boast In Jehovah), the speaker was talking about what is real versus what isn't. This was about ¾ if the way in so the audience was hooked in fully. I was doing a walk around for my guys and noticed the ENTIRE assembly hall was absolutely locked in. No chatter in the foyer, no PEOPLE in the foyer. I was the only one not completely hooked in to every word. I got back to my seat as he was discussing angels and he asked, rhetorically , 'are the angels real?'

The AH was dead silent as he let the seemingly innocuous question sink in. We knew the answer, but in that small beat you got a moment to think about what they and Jehovah really mean to you, and how they are alive with us.

While we waited for the follow up, a small child, probably 5-6 years old cries out 'YES'! Which punctuated that pregnant pause with such a thrilling certitude that it gives me goosebumps and welling eyes now to even think about it. And of course EVERYONE, Noumair included, was simply in stitches.

I later asked my audio brothers if they heard the declaration and yes it carried through the entire auditorium. I'll never forget that moment.

We were driving home last night, exhausted after two very full days (and we spent a late night at the theater on Thursday) and thinking about how much energy, time and expense it takes to go to theocratic events. That going in, it rarely feels like it will be a life-changing experience... and they aren't in that cathartic, big-picture-going-over-a-cliff sort of way.

Theocratic events are more like getting plugged into a high voltage charger for a day. Just like everything with Jehovah, you end up with more than you expected. I'll steal from another line in that last talk:

An empty sack cannot stand.