Tap, tap,tap... is this thing on???
This past week I spent four days at Soulfeast in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina.(about 30 miles outside of Asheville) I went with five others from the leadership team from my church. It was almost like a church camp for adults filled with workshops and classes set up to give you something to take home with you and implement in your church. There was to be a morning class that I went to all three mornings and the afternoon class would be a different one each day. So,needless to say, the morning class was what I needed to really be sure on. The night before, as we sat and discussed the options we had, I came across a class that caught my attention. Reluctant Pilgrim. Wow! What a name for a class! What did it mean? What would it offer? These two words just grabbed me. Plus, it was taught by a person named Enuma Okoro. This name too peaked my interest. The only drawback, that was all of the information I had to go on. No description of the class or what it would offer. I couldn't pass on it. I didn't want to be a "Reluctant Pilgrim."
Monday morning. Time for class. I have to be honest, it was the first day of school all over again. I knew no one. Was I in the right class? Was I even in the right building?
As I made my way to an empty seat I noticed at this point and time I was the only guy. Now, in high school, I would have liked that percentage, at Soulfeast I was a little nervous.
A tall, slender African-American woman.
I don't know why, but for some reason, I was expecting a man.
As we got started and she began to talk about what we'd be doing, she asked everyone what book we had read that had an impact on our life.
Uhhh... what?
I'm really not a big reader. Never have been.
All these women were naming book after book of which I'd never heard and how they opened their eyes and changed their life.
As it got closer to me to share, the only thing I could think of was Sports Illustrated.
Finally, Max Lucado came to mind. I had read a couple of his books and even used some of his study guides in Sunday school.
And I did like him!
Cool! I got my author, and just in time.
As I shared with the class, I heard alot of "oh yeah. I like him too."
WHEW! That was a close one.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Ok. She's the "Reluctant Pilgrim." Still a cool couple of words. I wanted to hear her story.
Then she said she was glad that we'd all signed up for her writing class.
HOLY CRAP! Did she just say writing class?
This was not good, and I was gonna have three days of it.
I guess I could have got out of the class, but I'd just be a day behind with anything I changed to.
I thought,"Oh well, it's not like I'll be graded."
First assignment: Write about your name.
She gave us ten prompts to follow.
1. In English my name means_________.
2. It is like the number___________.
3. It is like the color__________.
4. It makes the sound of __________.
5. I was named after__________.
6. The person who named me was_________.
7. My name comes from__________.
8. Some people call me__________.
9. The name of my secret self is _________.
10. One thing I'd never do is_________.
What the *&^%$ had I gotten my self into?!?!
I'M NOT A WRITER, NOR EVER WANTED TO BE!
I decided I'd just do my best to answer the questions and try to some how make it sound like a story. I wasn't looking forward to it, or the next day when we got to READ IT IN FRONT OF EVERYONE!
Tuesday morning: Class started with Enuma reading what she had written about her name.
Poetry.
As a few others read theirs, some were very good. Some ok, and some, didn't understand the assignment and lacked.
I thought, "Well, mines not great, but at least I got the assignment right."
That was a comfort.
So when it came to be my turn, I took a deep breath, and officially started my writing career.
I am Kevin. I don't know why I am, but I am.
Kevin means: handsome, gentle, attractive, lovable and beautiful.(not my words...Google's)
I can't imagine being any other name.
I didn't choose my name, but I wouldn't change it.
It's who I am.
Kevin reminds me of the number seven. I suppose it's because it rhymes. Seven is suppose to be lucky so, I'll take it.
My name is like the color maroon. It's not uncommon, but you come across it every once in awhile.
My mother gave me the name "Kevin". I suppose I am named after another "Kevin" she came across somewhere along her life. I don't know.
Some people call me Kevin, Kkidd, Kman... my kids call me dad. I won't tell you what my wife calls me.
One thing I would never do is change my name. It's perfect for me. Although it was given to me by my parents, it was given to them by God. It's said, "God knew your name before anyone."
And I TRY not to ever question God.
I did it! I was proud of myself. It certainly isn't gonna get me a book deal, but it was well received by the class and one line even got a big laugh. (I owe you Lainie!)
I was the Reluctant Pilgrim.
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