The Exit Strategy Interview – Part 3

Here’s the third entry into why the Dryden Family has moved from Stoke-on-Trent.  Part One covered where we are now and how we got here.  Part Two looks at when we left the city and began looking at why the move took place.  So the interview continues …

How does the rest of your family feel about the move?

I’ve mentioned the trauma of the move which indicates the significance of it.  My dad remains ever the chilled out man who ponders things rather than getting emotionally concerned about stuff.  My mum is a tad concerned and just wants to see how things pan out.  My siblings as ever are the most understanding in the whole situation looking to offer support when needed and all that good jazz.

In terms of the close family, though, the children as ever just go with the flow of their parents.  I’ve mentioned how Abigail and Deborah are just diving into things, especially Abigail.

The biggest deal in these kind of things remains the wife.  Authrine is the key factor into how this could have taken place at all.  It has to be made clear that I made no overtures to her at all about this issue.  Her own journey, with some serious life traumas, got her to reach the conclusion that this move was for the best, for herself.  It has been the source of the greatest joy to know that she’s in on it from her own conviction and relationship with God.  Not to say she hasn’t had her doubts or concerns, but they have always been over-ridden by her firm belief that this is what God has called for her and for us to do.

Was there any issue between you and Hughie which led to the move?

This is a good question to ask.  If you don’t know Hughie or how he’s related to me, these posts should hopefully help.  For the benefit of this period of our life the first thing to make absolutely clear is that there was no significant issue between Hughie and I that led to my decision.  As I hope was clear from the last post on why we moved, it had more to do with what I experienced in the larger picture, than any specific personal beefs.

Don’t get me wrong, for someone so influential in my life and development especially recently, he was around while things were happening.  It’s also fair to state that our relationship had a number of ups and downs in the last two or three years.  I’m not sure it is inevitable in any relationship of this nature, but the reality of the matter is that even as people grow and change so relationships also undergo various changes and some of them can disrupt the previous m.o. fundamentally.

I can guess that some people close to me and aware of some of the developments at StokeCOG might feel that Hughie had a lot to do with the move.  People will speculate and gossip.  People are entitled to their opinion.  I know as I looked him in the eye and said to his face, there was no personal issues between us that are responsible for the move.

Furthermore, whatever difference Hughie and I have and to whatever degree they affected me, I hold the man in high respect.  My heart remains for him and I have a great admiration for who he is.  I’m sure he’s made mistakes and expect him to continue to do that until Jesus returns or he dies.  Having said that, this is a fair expectation of all humans – even me.  (Yeah, take that dramatic music and play it to the hilt – even I am prone to wander!)  As long as he remains a brother in Christ and as long as I know what he stands for and what he’s done for me and my family I will do my endeavour best not to be party to cliques and groups who seek to use any opportunity to get to him.

Was there any issue between you and anyone else that led to the move?

This is another good question … that I’ll answer in the next part of this interview.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd