A Coup and a Calling | Opinion
There was no mistaking it for what it was. Cold, brutal, and ruthless with a sugar-coated layer of religious self-righteousness: the coup'd'etat occurred on a weekend, when the victim was absent. Perhaps it facilitated the overthrow in easing their conscience even though the plot commenced much earlier. For the first time in my life I experienced firsthand a side of these Mennonites I had heard about but never observed up close. I had heard of brothers carrying their brothers to court, I have heard of mediators being called to settle squabbles between siblings over their father's inheritance, of women banning their own sisters from their home due simply to dress code.
It was late afternoon when the instigators rounded up a small group of us senior employees and stated that they had sad news for us. When the shocking news was delivered to us we were stunned. Speechless. Flabbergasted. Incredulous. Later certain of us were outraged and indignant. How could a morally upright, spiritually sound, highly respected business person in the community be deposed in such a way? Was there a crime committed? A company regulation blatantly violated? A corrupt deal somewhere? We knew the person too well for that to be the cause. Some of us shed tears, in our cars, sitting on our bikes, while driving but the harsh reality could not be denied. A part of our team was no longer there and would never be.
In the confused and immediate aftermath following the coup, a group of us considered various ways of exacting some form of revenge for the unfair and unjust termination of our leader: an employee walkout, some sort of union strike, a half-day or even 3-day protest, a boycott. Unfortunately as with many citizens who are afraid to speak out against the government, so a large number of our teammates feared for their employment status if they would be directly involved in such a protest. Eventually our discussions broke down and we failed to arrive at any agreement except for a very few of us who were willing to risk our employment for the sake of this person's termination.
Sadly, in the end, from those few only two of us actually stood up and walked out in protest. I simply did not care anymore, such was my anger.
Shortly after this incident I discovered a job opening at another location, prepared my resignation letter, and declared to my spouse that unless those who committed this injustice could give a solid answer for what they did, I would resign. I fully intended to discuss my resignation with respected and trusted church friends before I handed it in because perhaps resigning was not a good idea at the moment and even declared to my co-workers that I was willing and ready to move on after what happened. Unfortunately seeing those persons who instigated the coup in front of me, quoting the Bible of all things, was too much. I became overwhelmed with anger, hurt, indignation and sadness. I rashly handed my resignation, honestly believing I was done with this place.
Long story short. The foggy weeks and months that followed were some of the most humbling times I have ever experienced in my three decades on this earth as I underwent a series of emotional and spiritual changes. After weeks of soul searching, praying, apologizing, and most of all forgiving, I discovered my calling in life, especially when I saw how the victim of the overthrow displayed an immense strength of character which greatly increased my respect and admiration. Instead of spewing hatred and bitterness in public, there was kindness and compassion. In fact we were encouraged to forgive and not to focus on what had happened. No wonder some of us employees shed tears when this person was terminated.
I am still in that company, albeit in a different position at a different location. My mission: reach out to people with the same warm heart and understanding extended to me by my former leader. My goal: forgive, forgive, and forgive again. And then again. I have slowly begun to accept: not the way the person's termination was carried out because that wound can only be healed by time, but that perhaps the persons who conspired against our leader had a purpose and a plan. Although much too early to see exactly what those intentions are, there are already signs of major developments around the corner. But my whole viewpoint concerning the company and my job has changed. I am now focusing on using my position to meet customers as people with stories, persons with a past, to speak with the Mennonites around me eye to eye and face to face, to see the way they respond and share with me.
I have also, only by the grace of God, spoken with those who caused this whole situation. They are humans, faced with difficult tasks and choices regarding their company. Some decisions had to be made sooner or later even though it would create separation and grieving. Time, and only time, will heal us.
A. Mendoza
