A Journal Reflection from the Mind of Syphio
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus
Philippians 2:5
By Reverend Syphio A.B. Whack, 7th Episcopal District
One of life’s greatest gifts is within our hearts, which is the ability to remember. Some can remember names, faces, birthdays, and death dates. As well as those who were married to whom, how many children they had, right down to the address where they currently live. Our ability to remember is truly a gift from God.
There are many things that I am mindful of and thankful to God for. My thank you list could take up to an hour or more of my morning prayer. As I sit here this morning, the house has a peaceful quietness and an airy chill.
In the quietness, my mind began to think about the thirteen ministers who started in ministry with me. As my mind reflected, I asked myself. Where are they now? As if I had pushed the “On” button of the computer, the memory bank of my mind cut on and began searching for an answer. Suddenly, my mind took me back to 1995.
In 1995, I received the call from God to Preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, death, and resurrection; my mind reminded me that I did not readily and with great speed answer the call. I was truly a slow responder. I laughed within myself how very slow I had been in answering the call. Let’s just say that if I had been an Emergency Medical Technician, and your life was on the line, you may not have made it.
I remember being in one of our many ministerial meetings, and my pastor at that time asked the thirteen ministers in the room who felt ready to do their initial sermon. Twelve of the thirteen hands without apprehension were raised. My pastor said to me, “Sis, why didn’t you raise your hand?” My reply to him was the statement that God had given to me when God called me, and that was that. It would take three years to prepare me for the ministry that God had for me.” I didn’t realize until many years later that my initial sermon was exactly three years from my calling.
Of the thirteen, some who had been ordained, only three remained faithful in the service of the ministry. Suddenly, another “thank you, Jesus” is processed from the memory bank. I was thankful to God for the loving kindness and grace God had bestowed upon me by allowing me to remain on the battlefield serving God.
Eight of the called had either turned back into the world as Orpah[1] had done, and sadly one had died. My memory bank could remember all their names; at that moment, the chill of the house informed my brain that I needed a cup of hot coffee if I was going to be able to complete this mind-boggling challenge.
I called one of the ministers who previously served with us but was now elevated to a Pastoral ministry. I inquired what happened to the eight MIA (missing in action). Sadly, one by one, he informed me they were no longer serving in or with a ministry.
My heart was saddened to hear that those who had allowed God to begin a good work in them had fallen by the wayside. Before we hung up, we prayed for their hearts and minds to be changed. We also prayed that one day, if God allowed, they would return to their first love.
As I replaced the phone on the receiver, the memory bank of my mind suddenly sent a memo that said, “Momma.” It did not take my thought process long to understand and realize that my mother was ninety-one and was in the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s. Yet, her memory bank kept processing the things, situations, and circumstances of her life that God had brought her through. The story of her life is one that I know will one day be a best-seller. Although my mother had Alzheimer’s, God had kept her mind.
As we begin this season of Thanksgiving, I encourage you to do as I do and make it a daily part of every day to tell God how thankful we are to Him for keeping us in our “right mind.”
Reverend Syphio A.B. Whack is an Associate Minister at the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Summerville, South Carolina. The Reverend Lorraine Fields–Bradley, Senior Pastor
[1] Ruth 1:15 King James Version
