Dr. Skye Series: "Trapped"

Session 6

The day has ended. I had to make one final phone call. I picked up the note from Miss Amy and dialed the number on it. A man answered, with a deep, strong voice similar to Bishop Jakes, "Get Ready! Get Ready! Get Ready!"

"Good Evening, Pastor Johnson my assistant just told me you called."

"Hey, can you come by my office before bible study this evening when you get off work? We can talk and set up your healing plan."

After today I was not in the mood to see anyone else. Monty's workout session was a failure. Jasmine had my mind wandering all day, those new clients were over the top, and Miss Amy, spooked my inner man. "Today will not be a good day."

Listening to my excuses, Pastor Johnson waited until I finished to reply. "Are you ok, Charles?"

"Yes, after coming back to work. I need to go home and rest my mind."

Without a doubt, "That is understandable. Rest and resets are essential for the soul." That is one statement I share with all of my clients and peers. I take heed to my own words. I don't want to be like those we say, "Preaching to the Choir." Maybe, that is one reason why I have a connection with Devon. To me, I can see where I can mentor him and be an access to his life.

"What about in the morning before I come to the office?"

"How early are you talking?" Pastor Johnson was not a morning person. Most churches in this area have eight o'clock or noon services on Sundays. Greater New Star Baptist Church is an old-school church. They start at 6 p.m. That matches my routine because I'm a late sleeper on the weekends and do most of my resets on Saturdays. "I don't have any appointments tomorrow, so eight or nine?"

"Let's go for nine o'clock."

"Great, I'll see you at nine o'clock." I got to call Monty to let him know I will not be coming in the morning. Shockingly, he agreed to a morning session. I wonder if food is involved.

"Anything else you need?" Pastor Johnson asked. I paused for a minute. Pastor Johnson has been around for a long time. As one of this city's top-tier pastors, I am sure he knows something about what Jasmine said this afternoon.

"You are well known. By chance, do you know Principal Nathaniel's family?" After a long silence over the phone, I looked at the screen to see if we were still connected.

"By chance, I do. He was a former member of this church before you moved to town. Do you have something to tell me?"

"Oh no, I just remember him passing a few months ago, and I am seeing a few of his students." I am glad this was a phone call because you all know my facial expressions kill.

"Umm, I have to catch this call. I'll see you in the morning." If I didn't know better, I would say he was rushing me off the phone. I shut down all the lights in the office and headed to my car. Maybe I should go to bible study. God is always first in my life.

Meanwhile, Pastor Johnson was alone in his office at the church. Imagine him just spinning back and forward in his chair. "I hope he does not figure out the connections," saying continually to himself.

After the call, I locked the office and got in my candy-apple red Dodge Charger. It was late July the temperatures were burning our human flesh to pieces. I turned on the air to blazing. The hot air came out first, so I let the windows down to release to oven feel. Pulling out of my parking space and connecting to the car play, Williams Murphy's It's Working was the first song to play. I knew God was trying to tell me something.

I glanced at the it was two minutes until six o'clock. Insistently, I asked God, what was this sign? I pray all day and night. Praying was my lifestyle before the accident happened. Prayer is nothing but communication with God. If you talk to God, he will talk back to you: directly through music, reading, a conversation, or any way to get your attention. This time he spoke directly to me. Just as clear as a man's whisper, "Go by the church." My church was just five minutes away from my house. I know I told Pastor I was going home to rest, but maybe God has a message for me tonight in the teaching.

Turning on my turn signal, I saw the parking lot was half-empty. A lot of people usually skip bible study. I don't know why. Bible study is my chance to ask all the questions I have. What Pastor Johnson does is review his message from the previous Sunday. During Sunday service, I write down all my thoughts, key points, and questions. He teaches us to study at home likewise. Sometimes, the answer to our questions are in our faces, and we just miss them.

Entering the lobby felt so strange. The last time I saw the inside of this place was two weeks ago. I was wearing a black suit with a light purple shirt, paisley tie, and black fresh off the self shoes. I stood there, flashing back in time for a moment. Hearing the choir sing, I shall wear a crown, surrounded by family. At this point, I was ready to turn around and run back to my car. Then I heard Pastor Johnson's words, "Life comes with changes." I moved closer to the door entrance, "People are running from the pains of life." That one line hit me, and I felt my whole body shift as the door swung open.

"Charles," Pastor called my name across the pulpit. All eyes turned and watched my every move until I took my seat. I sit in the middle of the church. I was not rude while transiting to my final position. I waved at everyone and mouthed the words, "Good evening." Finally focused on Pastor Johnson, he gave me an eye, "It is good to see our brother is back in the house of God with us." I bowed my head and nodded the sign of God bless you.

After an hour lesson on "Coping with Life Altering Decisions," Pastor Johnson met me in the pews after everyone had cleared the room. Usually, I will be the first one gone, but tonight the lesson taught me something, "Some people are still running from the pains of life because they can't cope with life properly. I have to pray, vent, and let go." You will never forget, but you can forgive.

Pastor Johnson approached me with open arms, "I thought you weren't coming." I said, "I could not meet with you before bible study." As the comedian he is, Pastor Johnson rubbed his stomach, "Well, now is not a good time to talk." That was a getaway. He was acting a little strange. He kept looking around as if someone else was in the room.

As I sat back on the pew, getting ready to ask a question, he jumped up and walked away. Not giving me a warning, he had this weird look on his face as if something was pulling him, but the room was empty. I tried to rush and ask my question before he disappeared behind the door. He screamed, "I'm busy!" Still, in the same position, I dropped my head into my hands and cried out. "Maybe I shouldn't have come here."

Walking down the hallway to his office Pastor Johnson also cried out, "God, what should I do? He can't find out about this. He will never trust me again. I feel TRAPPED!"

Then this bold voice spoke clearly, shaking the church building. "The Truth Will Set You Free!" Pastor Johnson fell to his knees in the hallway. By this time, I ran to the altar and faced the ground in worship. I knew God had spoken.