It Was Good Enough for My Father

Chapter 1

The Four Horsemen will do great things, we all chanted together while standing in the hallway. James, Tory, Najee and I were ready to take our ministry to the next level. We all had been offered positions at Greater Community Christian Center in Atlanta. Nothing was going to get in our way, at least not now. I still had to go back to Kingsport and break the news to my father. Pastor Jacob Williams of Bridgewater Tabernacle of Faith was the only thing standing between me and my dream position.

As I weighed the two options, go work under my father for a measly 500.00 a month, or work at Greater Community Christian Center for 60K a year. Decision is made, but standing up to my ole man won’t be easy.

The flight to Kingsport was short, it was almost like something was pushing me there in a hurry to tell my father. As I walked out of the plane and towards the concrete steps leading into the airport, I saw my dad, my mother, and my sisters waving frantically at me. I waved back, with sweat beginning to build up on my forehead. My heart began to beat so fast and hard, I could feel it at the slightest touch.

Look at my baby, my mother cried out. She ran over to me and wrapped me in her arms so tight. I hugged her, she felt good to hug. My mother was like a warm blanket on a cold night, or that night light when I thought I saw monsters lurking. She was my security blanket and my love for her was overwhelming sometimes. Being in Atlanta almost made me forget that, but her embrace brought it all back to me.

My sisters ran to me as well. My brother has his Master’s degree, Sarah said. Sarah was my oldest sister. She was always sending me some canned goods, Oreo cookies, Ramien Noodles and a little cash. She was like my second mother. I’m so proud of you, she said as she practically scooted my mother to the side. Esther and Ruth all jumped in and hugged me too.

After all the hugs, I looked around for my dad. Here is some tissue to wipe all that war paint off. He stood in front of me and looked me right in my face as if he was searching for something in particular. My father was at least 6 feet 5 inches, about 270lbs, dark skinned, piercing eyes, and full lips with a strong nose. He had hands that were huge, but he always said, I’d look funny being this size with little bitty hands. Our embrace was strong, respectful, father and son like. Welcome home son, he said. Those words made my stomach turn a million times, my legs were stuck to the tiled floor, my breathing stopped. Come on son, what’s wrong with you.

I shook the thoughts of betrayal from my mind, faked a smile too. I’m glad to be home dad.

Are you sure son?

Of course, I ate a little airport food back in Atlanta, it’s just has my stomach is feeling funny.

Esther broke through and said, Boy you know you inherited daddy’s sensitive belly. She poked my stomach.

My mother interjected, Like father like son. The more they talked, the harder it was going to be for me to give them my news.

Chapter 2

The drive to my parent’s house seemed like eternity. It was hard to focus being that I was about to tell my family something they never would have seen coming. Son, do you think you can give a homecoming sermon this Sunday. This is a good way to show home folks what you learned up in that fancy school you went to.

Sure dad, this Sunday is fine with me.

That’s my son!

That’s our son, my mother said, as she playfully pushed my father.

My parents had the ideal marriage. I don’t remember one time in my life that I have ever heard my parents say a nasty word to each other. My father still brings my mother flowers on any given day. One day I asked him why he gave mama flowers all the time. He told me, I give them to her so she can see if there is one as perfect as she is. When she finds her perfect flower in the ones I give her, then I’ll stop. My father was a man of wise sayings, stories, and jokes. I enjoyed growing up and learning to fish with him. We’d spend hours on the Holston singing, telling jokes and eating lunch that mama made for us. Mama was light skinned, with hazel eyes, brown hair and a sense of humor that would make the devil mad. She loved my daddy more than anything and spent everyday showing him that. My parents have what other couples die never having.

You would have thought a family reunion was going on. There were at least a hundred cars in the driveway and lined up down the street. We pulled up and everyone came out on the porch. There was a sign across the porch that said, Welcome Home Jacob. Dale Street was changing, where you used to see children playing outside, you now saw those kids hanging out, selling drugs on the same street I grew up on. Sadness overtook my heart. My father noticed, See son, there is a need for you here. Your ministry can reach these young people. My heart was heavy, tears formed in my eyes.

Great things baby, great things, remember that, my mother said to me.

Inside the house were all of my cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, and ministers. Welcome home, every said to me over and over. I couldn’t believe it, there were so many people there to welcome me. I decided now was not the time to tell everyone my news. I decided to wait for a better time.

I saw Pastor Swagerty, she has a heart of gold. Welcome home Jacob. I think it’s time for you to step into your rightful place. If your daddy don’t treat you good, then you can come on over to Full Gospel Mission. Pastor Swagerty always knew what to say to me. She is the only female Pastor of a black church in Kingsport. Full Gospel Mission is the one place that many have roots to. There is a soup kitchen downstairs in that church too, that feeds the hungry. Pastor Swagerty has a heart of gold. I gave her a long hug and kissed her on the cheek. Come by and see me Jacob.

I will Mama Patsy.

I walked through the house and met everyone, and talked about old times. Everybody wanted to know how it was at school. I told as much about school as I could, but of course I left out all of my extra curricular activities. In Atlanta it was easy to kick it and not be known, but at home, I walked the straight and narrow path. We are about to eat Jacob, come in and say Grace, Esther asked? I moved to the head of the table in the dining room and began to pray.

I had to have some of Ruth’s apple pie and ice cream. I really didn’t care about eating anything else.

Tasha Adams walked over to me, What’s up my brother?

Hey Tasha! I gave her a one armed hug so I didn’t drop my apple pie.

Looks like that school did you some good.

Looks like Kingsport is treating you well too. Tasha gave me that, If I get these legs wrapped around you, you ain’t going no where look. I licked my lips that my father blessed me with and my mother shaped. I felt an ache in my groin, one that I knew Tasha could at least work out for me, but I had to be careful. Home girls sometimes try to hook a brother up, or should I say down. I ain’t about to get trapped by no woman, I don’t care how sexy, pretty, nasty, or uninhibited she is.

Sarah interrupted our silent conversation, Hey baby brother, mama wants you. She looks at Tasha as if to say, Hell no, my brother is one you won’t get between those legs of yours. Little did my sister know, that was the first thing I was gonna get when I could get away. Tasha and I go way back. I think we have had sex in every part of my father’s church. If any girl was suppose to get pregnant by me, it was Tasha, because there were times we had sex every day and several times a day. She wasn’t my girlfriend though, she was my friend.

Out on the back porch was my mother’s favorite spot. Hey ladies, here is my son. My mother was proud of me. She loved to show me off to her friends. I hugged and kissed her and sat down beside her.

We are so glad you will be preaching on Sunday, Ms. Eunice said.

Your father is a good preacher, but you know it will be good to hear somebody different, Ms. Mammie said. Ms. Eunice kept eyeing me and fanning with her handkerchief. She always made me uncomfortable with her stares.

What will be your sermon on Sunday, Ms. Eunice asked?

I’m really not sure yet, but Jesus will give me something by then. I had to come correct when I was dealing my mother’s friends. They knew a phony when they saw one.

The crowd began to thin out. My sisters were in the kitchen cleaning up. I couldn’t take it anymore, I had to get out. I walked up Dale Street heading towards Center Street. I could smell Krispy Kreme Doughnuts as I got closer to the intersection. Dale Street was the ideal street. In the spring and summer, people still sat on their porches and waved and everybody that either walked or drove by. My stomach needed a hot doughnut, so I prayed that the hot sign was on when I got there.

Jackpot, the neon sign is lit up. I walked in Krispy Kreme’s and the clerk ignored me for a moment. I wasn’t used to this behavior because in Atlanta, people were all about money, they didn’t care what color you were. I cleared my throat. I’m sorry sir, I didn’t see you. May I help you?

I’d like one hot glazed.

Just one?

Yes, and smiled. She must not be used to that, but these things aren’t good for anyone’s waist, but I had to have at least one. I paid her, got my doughnut and headed back to my parent’s house.

The walk was nice, I waved and said hello to everyone as they sat on their porches. You back for good Jacob, Tish asked? She was Pastor Swagerty’s oldest daughter. I graduated from high school with her son Rico, who was now in the Army.

I’m supposed to be.

You’d better be. It’s sad when you know your place is here, but you don’t want to be. It really doesn’t matter because God will bring you back home anyway.

You are right about that Tish. I liked Tish, she was straight up no matter what. She lived in the Swagerty family house with her husband Hayes. We always called him Big Ed. I think we did that because he always had muscles and still does.

I finally made it to my parent’s house and my father was sitting on the front porch. Have a seat son. He always sat on the front while my mother and her girlfriends sat on the back. I took a lawn chair right beside of my father. "You know son, it’s so good to have you back. I have really missed you.

You know I have missed you too dad.

Son, life is full of decisions, you make’em, you live with them. It was like my dad already knew.

I think I’m finally learning that.

I’m gonna have to show you Central Baptist, they have added on to that church. It looks real nice.

Really?

Yes, and Full Gospel Mission has done some remodeling and it looks good too. I was thinking now that you are here, maybe we can do some remodeling too.

I made myself lie to my father, Yes dad, we should be able to come up with something. My father sat staring at the place that used to be a house across the street. It was now a vacant area.

There is so much work to be done here at home Jacob, we need you here.

Isn’t Sarah helping you out with the church?

Yes, she is really good. She has accepted her calling too.

Her calling?

Yes, into the ministry.

Really dad, I didn’t know.

She wanted to tell you the good news, but I thought I should tell you. If my father could see my face, he’d see that I was angry. He must have sensed something. She’s not taking your spot, she has made one for herself.

How can she do anything with her husband, her job and four kids?

You know her, she is strong. She’ll be ready to get her license soon. A sense of relief came over me, but why. I don’t have any plans on being a minister at my father’s church right now.

Chapter 3

I had been home a couple of days and it was like so many things were thrown at me at once. I was still holding this news that I needed to tell my father, but the time was not right yet. As I look around in my room I see all the hopes and dreams of my family. Me, I am the good son, the righteous one, the dream maker.

You coming down for breakfast son, my mother yelled up the steps. She always prepared Sunday breakfast and dinner before we went to church. I stand up and look in my dresser mirror, my white shirt is crisp, my dark suit is clean, my shoes are shining, and I almost forgot, I’m fine too.

Downstairs at the breakfast table sat my father, mother and me. You ready son, he asked me while studying the newspaper.

I am dad.

Good, he said as he folded up the paper and sat it next to him on the table. He was already finished eating and my mother was still preparing dinner.

Mama, how do you cook all this before church?

Honey, I rise early, she said as she smiled at me. My mother had a smile that could melt the meanest heart. She loved to cook and the kitchen told that. She had every gadget you could think of. She kept her kitchen bright yellow, she always said, This is the main room where the sun must come into every day, so if I keep it yellow, the sun will know it’s always welcome.

My dad got up from the table, I’ve got to get my things. Will you drive your mother to the church?

Of course. You leaving now?

Yes, I have to make sure the church is ready for the day. He kissed my mother on the lips, I was surprised they still kissed like that after all these years, and left for the church.

The drive to the church was filled with a whole lot of chatter. My mother clued me in on who was in jail, who was pregnant, who is trifling, and who needs Jesus. I believe my mother talked to me like this because my dad would not hear of any gossip, but I had to entertain my mother. She enjoyed talking to me. Did you know Louis and his wife are splitting up?

No ma’am, haven’t they been married for hundreds of years?

My mother giggled, If they have been married hundreds, then your father and I have been married for thousands. They have two children too, a little boy and a little girl. She got hooked on that stuff and he finally had enough.

Drugs can destroy even the strongest people.

Lord have mercy, I just hate for children see their mothers all messed up.

Bridgewater Tabernacle of Faith has not changed a bit. Still white with a cross at the very top. Still has 2 large doors that open in the front. Still has a gravel driveway and lot, with a large field. Same old, same old. The doors are opened welcoming everyone from the sick, well, sad, happy, broke, rich, it doesn’t matter. Bridgewater is for everyone.

The entrance has been redecorated, it has my mother’s touch. Nice neutral ceramic tiles on the floor, faux coloring on the wall, a large colorful flower arrangement right below the picture of my father and mother. There are a couple of rust color wing back chairs in the foyer. On opposite sides are bathrooms, one for males and females. My parents have been busy. Inside the church are wooden pews with burgundy cushions. The carpet is burgundy also. There are nice lights that hang down from the ceilings. The altar is neat with a place to kneel all around it. My father has a new wooden podium and behind it are 3 huge chairs, the one in the middle is the largest, and that is his chair. Behind the minister’s area is the choir box. There are microphones hanging from the ceiling. My father has been really busy.

Welcome son, what do you think, my father asked. He was happy with the church and he was smiling from ear to ear.

Wow! It looks totally different. It looks great. I was like a visitor in New York City. I was walking looking around, looking up, just looking. I was amazed at the transformation of the church. Dad, this is just amazing.

Things have been looking up, so we thought we’d put God’s money to use and spruce up the church. Make it more inviting, my father smiled.

I pictured myself in that pulpit bringing the word. I could see myself up there.

I’m really glad you like it. I can’t wait to see you there today. We even have a media ministry now.

A media ministry, you’ve got to be kidding, I was really tripping. My father is finally coming into the twenty first century.

Yes, we doing it here. Anyone can purchase a video or a cassette. We don’t make but 1.00 off each because we want to keep the price low to spread the word. Sometimes, we just give them away. My dad was proud and I was so proud of him.

I was in my father’s office praying with him and my sister. My sister really surprised me, she was anointed. I was almost jealous of her, but her sincerity towards my success pushed every negative feeling I had right out the window. We could here my mother leading devotion. My father said, "Let’s go. My father, sister and I walked out of his office door and into the sanctuary. It was jam packed in the sanctuary. The ushers were bringing in chairs because the pews were packed.

I felt butterflies in my stomach, but they weren’t nervous butterflies, they were the ones I got when I was hyped up. I looked out in the sanctuary and Tasha was sitting right there in the front. Looking at her on that front row with that low cut, skin tight, short dress woke something else up, but now was not the time. I always hated it when women dressed like that sat in the front. I couldn’t focus on her, not right now. The choir was jamming. I looked back over my shoulder and Susie was singing right at me. She was another friend that I used to kick it with back in the day. She was bouncing up and down, clapping her hands, with that famous mouth of hers opened wide bringing back memories of the closet at the library. Not right now, refocus Jacob, get your mind where it should be, I said to myself. I closed my eyes and looked at my bible, which now was kind of hard, being that my hands began to sweat.

I was nervous. I was in the pulpit with my father, sister, and 2 other ministers of the church.

My father said, I have a special guest for you all today. You know it gives my soul great pleasure to introduce another one of my children to you to come up here and bring the Word of God. He paused and put his head