The Butterworth family presents the epitome of dependency on God presented in the parable Above and Beyond. From resolution to the continued development in the new community and prayer, seeking God has been the hallmark of the approach they have taken to facing the challenges they encounter in life. The example set by this family is contagious and others will be encouraged to pattern their lives after their spiritual example. There have been struggles, not everything has gone smoothly and without turmoil for them. However, their family's foundation of trust and dependency on God, with the assurance that He does all things well, has helped turn their defeat into victory. The position of faith taken by this family will provide the stimulus to encourage others to seek God in the real world.

ABOVE AND BEYOND

By R. C. Hollingsworth

Trafford Publishing

Copyright © 2012 R.C. Hollingsworth
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4669-4107-6

Contents

Chapter One RESOLUTION............................1Chapter Two RELOCATION............................11Chapter Three NEW HORIZONS........................25Chapter Four LAUNCHING OUT........................36Chapter Five ABOVE and BEYOND.....................89Chapter Six STEADFASTNESS.........................101Chapter Seven ARRIVAL.............................107Chapter Eight REALITY.............................112Chapter Nine FAST FORWARD.........................168Chapter Ten FOLLOW THROUGH........................178Chapter Eleven IDENTIFICATION.....................187Chapter Twelve FULFILLMENT........................200Epilogue...........................................215About The Author...................................217

Chapter One

RESOLUTION

The day started as it had for Charley for as long as he had been employed and had been working in the office. As he was leaving to start the 30 minute drive to his office, he paused to make sure everything was 'in place' before he set out to meet the public.

Charley prided himself on being very organized and of being very routine oriented. He had worked hard to develop a work ethic that had served him well. In fact he had become so regimented that those who worked with him, were extremely aware of the limits he had placed on even allowing anyone to get close to him. It was very evident that they could get 'this close and no further'. Charley's quest for perfection as it would relate to guarding his 'personhood' did not result in any degree of closeness. No one really knew Charley, and Charley never got to really know anyone with whom he worked. There was great distance relationally on both sides of the equation.

Charley would arrive home from work about 5:00 p.m. just in time for supper. He was very involved in his church and taught the adult Bible class. The same emphasis on 'personal space' Charley maintained in the workplace, was evident in his home. This emphasis on personal space was developing a distance between his wife and son. This distance was heightened when attention had to be given in preparation for the Bible class. There were times when following supper; Charley would inform Sally that he had to retreat to his upstairs office to prepare his lesson. Sally and their son David were left to themselves for the large part of the evening. This was beginning to be a constant pattern, and was beginning to inflame negative relations. Weekends became extremely busy in the attempt to give attention to everything involved in running and maintaining a home that could not be addressed during the week.

Charley and Sally entered married life as any new couple and began investigating and pursuing areas in support of each other's personhood. Sally was aware of Charley's obsessive protection of 'personal space', but early in their relationship she thought it was a passing obsession. As they continued in their relationship, it became apparent to Sally that this obsession was not lessening. In fact it was becoming more entrenched. Sally began to have serious concerns.

David's birth was a glorious occasion. This could be the breakthrough Sally was hoping would help pull Charley back from his obsession. Charley was very supportive in giving parental guidance to David. Sally was very pleased with the effort Charley gave to his role and responsibilities as David's father.

However, as David continued to grow and develop, it would appear Charley was making an assessment as to how David's needs would be better served. Charley began to pull back and Sally's load of responsibility began to increase. Sally, being the outgoing charismatic person she was, tried to downplay and even gave excuses for this apparent increase. She found herself trying to justify this outcome. It was because of the demands of Charley's job that required him to begin to 'slacken' off. At least this is the initial thought Sally began to entertain as she tried to justify Charley's actions.

It could be said that the 'writing soon appeared on the wall'. Sally had had enough. She had to speak to Charley. The decision Charley made to distance himself from the mainstream of parental responsibilities, was taking its toll on David's development not to mention Sally's struggle with the increased load. This had to be addressed.

Charley listened intently to Sally's assessment and request for him to become more involved. It was a very intense and from Sally's perspective, a very direct encounter. In some ways, Charley felt as though Sally was attacking him. The more Sally attempted to describe the struggle and concern she had, the more Charley internalized the whole ordeal.

Charley gave input from the standpoint of his heritage. It had always been this way when he was growing up. His parents, especially his father, distanced himself from the commonalities of life. He positioned himself in the role of provider as it related to providing finances. Beyond that he had the responsibility to develop and present himself as someone who had it 'all together' in the workplace.

Sally listened intently to Charley's attempt to seemingly, justify his position. This did not sit well with her. She tried her best not to condemn Charley, but how could he justify his withdrawal from family realities by placing blame on his upbringing? She asked him very point blank. "What are we going to do?" Unfortunately all Charley did was shrug his shoulders and state he didn't know. Sally being the insightful person she was, realized there was a bigger problem here than what she first thought. The encounter ended without resolution. To say there was a high degree of tension in the home would be an understatement.

Charley finally accepted the fact there was a problem, and promised to do all he could to help resolve it. What that meant, Sally wasn't sure, but maybe it was a start. The day ended with a degree of civility.

Sally began to dissect the information Charley had shared. Charley's parents had come to faith and were active in the ministry of music. Their involvement in the church was very important in their home. The spiritual emphasis that was so important and what they had been trying to pursue did not translate or apply to building positive relations however. The family was very isolated even from their relatives. Charley had had no contact with any family member that included aunts and uncles. This had apparently gone on for a number of years, and it got to the point where it was an accepted reality. The more Sally thought of this, the more she began to understand to some extent why Charley acted the way he did.

Even though there was this isolation from their relatives, it was extremely important especially for Charley's father, to present himself as being in charge of his emotions and of his environment. He had to present himself as this person who was elevated. Is this the outcome or result of a person who has had involvement in the church for a number of years? Is this what she has to look forward to for her own family? This thought left Sally with a very bad feeling. She thought that maybe it would be a good idea to meet with her pastor and ask for his input and guidance. A meeting was arranged.

During the meeting with her pastor, Sally was very clear and descriptive as to her concern. During this meeting, Sally's family background was discussed. There was no spiritual emphasis in her family while growing up. Her parents had taken no interest in anything...