My Real Memoir
God believed in me. Even though, by my teens, I’d decided he didn’t exist and had come to consider believers rather simple-minded. Still, I could be tactfully dodgy. I told my pen pal Judy I believed in God, but when she pressed, I admitted that by “God” I simply meant “the human race.” I’d read The Diary of Anne Frank and wholeheartedly agreed that “in spite of everything, people are truly good at heart.”
Somehow, I’d managed to squeeze atheism, snobbish intellectualism, naïve idealism, and an overwhelming desire to make myself into something other or more than I was all into the same overcrowded psyche. I attended Young Americans and Up With People! concerts, and occasionaly suppressed my gag reflex because I so desperately wanted to believe thinking happy thoughts could save the world. When the Summer of Love broke out that year and our radios blasted “All You Need is Love!” I told myself, “This is it! My generation will put everything right!”
But deep down, I knew that up-up-with-ing people and singing about love wasn’t enough, that real love and peace had to come from somewhere–they had to have a Source.
Enter my friend Joe.
I wasn’t a bigtime sporto. In P.E. class, the moment our coach appointed baseball captains, they would hold “choose-ups.” Team Captain One would say, “I choose Bobby Awesome.” Then Team Captain Two would say, “I choose Dave Superjock,” etc. And so it would go, until there were only a few guys left. I was nearly always one of those guys—the creamless of the crop. In fact, I was frequently the last guy.
Now, Joe and I were, as he wrote in my yearbook, “argue partners” (above). I argued against the existence of God, and he argued for it. Constantly. So I was stunned when, as baseball captain one day, Joe chose me first. I mean right off the bat (note clever baseball reference), even though there were a whole bunch of guys standing there who could actually hit a ball!
For some reason, Joe, who always signed his name “Just Joe,” believed in me. And somehow that changed everything. I started playing baseball like a guy who could, well, play! And finally, on my last at-bat, I hit an actual, gen-u-wine, bona fide homerun!
Luck? Nope, I knew better. When I asked him why, Joe said, “I believe in you, Mitch, because God does.” And that, he explained, was why he always signed his name “Just Joe.” Because God believed in him, and being the person God made him to be was enough; he had no overwhelming need to make himself into something other or more. He was “Just Joe” and that was enough.
I laughed it off. But Joe had planted a seed. And even though that seed would lie dormant for years, just to see what it would look like, I altered my grandiose signature in a letter to Judy (above) to…
“Just Mitch.”
My Real Memoir is a series. To read the next one, click here.
We could use more “argue partners” today, couldn’t we? Creamless of the crop? Hard to believe. My, I hope we learn more about Just Joe!
Probably a little more, Joy. Joe and I were good friends throughout our high school years and were both in Drama.
Edited your writing to fit me: I’ve decided he doesn’t exist and had come to consider believers rather enviable.
Curious what changed your mind. I don’t suspect my beliefs will change, but I’m interested in how yours did. Have you written a post about that?
It was a circuitous journey, Jeff, that runs through the landscape of this ongoing memoir series. I’ve written snippets about my conversion here and there, though. Here’s a three-parter that summarizes it fairly well: https://mitchteemley.com/2019/12/02/why-i-believe-c-s-lewis-and-me-part-one/
Everyone needs a Just Joe…
I was born that year but I would have believed All You Need Is Love would have changed something also.
Yep, the whole flower-power/love & peace flavor of the early hippie era was pretty captivating, Max, not the least because of its soundtrack!
Yea I would have fallen for it hook, line, and patchouli oil.
;>)
The musical, Godspell, and the rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, were very popular around that time. They impacted a lot of the youth of the day, including me. I loved the song “Day By Day.” So many more teenagers may have become Just Joes in the era of the Jesus revolution.
I loved that song too, “Day by Day.” The Jesus revolution impacted me and others I knew at the time—many who are still faithful followers of Jesus today.
I was already a follower of Jesus before the Jesus revolution, but it made it more “fashionable” for youth to believe and share their faith.
Oh, yes. ‘Godspell’ had a major influence on my conversion, not long after which I directed a production of it. And “Day by Day” is on my memorial service playlist; I’ll be watching and singing along if God allows that kind of thing.
Your foresight is admirable as is your faith. I wonder what else is on your playlist.
I’m sure glad Just Joe came into your life – or was sent your way by God Himself. What a friend. Just what you needed at the time and how Just Joe influenced you for your calling.
He did, Kathy.
“Just Joe.” Love that. What a demonstration of God’s love to pick you because he believed in you. Thanks for sharing all these stories from your life experiences.
My privilege, Chris.
I love this, Chris. What a wonderful reminder of God’s love.
This one really resonated with me. Well told, as always (and I love how much sentimental stuff you kept to share)! Just Kara
Aw, thanks, Kara.
Everybody needs a friend like Joe!
Right? So good.
I always got picked last for sports too. I was SO BAD in fact, that team captains would argue over NOT having me “I had Janet last time – you have her”. Awful. I’m so glad your friend “just Joe” picked you first. I can imagine the boost to your confidence when that happened. Love that for you, Mitch. I love that you signed a letter “just Mitch” too. May God be glorified in every area of your life. You’re a ray of sunshine xx
Aw, bless you, and likewise, Janet.
This is such an emotional throwback, Mitch! Such a genuine post.
But that’s true. God believed in us long before we got to know Him and he’s always rooting for us. For the better.
Thanks for sharing 😊🙏
Haha, from one last-picked to another! 😆
I read about an experiment done with a class full of “slow” students, who were told there had been a mistake, and they were actually the “fast” ones. By the end of the year, they were.
Amazing, Ana. Makes me think of the famous blue vs. brown-eyed kids experiment. https://practicalpie.com/blue-eyes-brown-eyes-jane-elliott/#:~:text=In%201968%2C%20schoolteacher%20Jane%20Elliott%20decided%20to%20divide,for%20children%20to%20learn%20about%20racism%20and%20discrimination.
Star-bellied Sneeches.
Exactly. ;>)
Just Joe…. I think no one ever after him and before.🌞
I hope all of my friends had dinner and relax for the next beautiful day 😊
Such a special post just sandyroybessbugzy!
;>) Thank you, fellow “justs.”
Mitch,
Love it, man. Just ordinary people are who God uses all the time. How have you been?
Gary
Doing well, thank you, Gary. And you?
Out for the summer. Enjoying two new grand daughters. Thanks.
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Great story, Mitch. Look what that little seed grew into!
Aw, thanks, Kellye.
Thank you fr this touch share,🙏🏼
Touching share
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