My History with Jellybeans

In the post-Easter weeks, I find myself occasionally snacking on jellybeans during the mid-afternoon slump. A leftover plastic tub sits on my desk and I occasionally shake out less than a handful at a time to slowly savour as I race to get through my “to do” list for the day before it’s time to leave the office. I was pondering my handful of jellybeans recently, mentally calculating how many of my preferred flavours had randomly fallen out of the tub, when suddenly I had jellybean flashbacks.

I was short, I was standing in front of our family TV (yes, back in the days when households only had one). It was 1981 and U.S. President Ronald Reagan was recovering in hospital from being shot by John Hinkley Jr. The First Lady, Nancy Reagan was walking towards the hospital doors carrying a large jar of jellybeans – the President’s favourite candy.  To be honest, I was a bit more interested in that nice looking jar of jellybeans than the President’s recovery.

By the late 1990’s I was taller and had I entered vocational Christian ministry. At the time Rev. Bill Morrow was the General Superintendent of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada and he too loved jellybeans. He also loved jube jubes and other candies, his tastes were broader. I can remember the occasional times I visited the PAOC International office during home assignments as a Global Worker walking by his office and spying a credenza full of candy jar; not penny candy store jars, but distinguished glass jars with artfully selected candy on full display.  

At the first PAOC General Conference I ever attended as newly minted credential holder I remember a cheeky scrutineer nabbing a jube jube or two from the row of candy dishes spread out in front of General Superintendent, Bill Morrow, and the other officers.  I also remember the glare thrown by the General Superintendent to the offender.  

Jellybeans remind me of Bill Morrow, a leader who made a way for young leaders like me. Like an explorer of old he tried his best to cutlass his way through the jungle foliage of organizational bureaucracy and tradition to make young leaders like myself feel welcome, be given opportunities, and championed the call on our lives. Jellybeans remind me of his words of encouragement, wisdom couched in humour and questions that challenged me to think deeper and reflect longer. Jellybeans remind me of my journey as a leader, of someone who was ahead of me but willing to make way for me. Jellybeans are part of my history because someone who loved jellybeans was willing to see me, invest in me, and allow me to lead. Jellybeans challenge me to do the same for someone else, for the young leaders coming up behind me who need someone to see them, to invest and them, and allow them to lead. 

Who are you leaving a trail of jellybeans to follow, making a way for?


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Hailey Armoogan

Hailey is the President of the Sub Arctic Leadership Training College and the Director of Northern Initiatives and Church Partnerships for the ABNWT District Resource Center

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