On the Way to Us

We would walk into Village Inn laughing so hard, people would turn to look. Then we'd get a piece of French silk pie and talk for hours about life and how God works. He listened. He talked. He laughed. He made me comfortable. He thought what I had to say was important and funny.

We were content to spend an evening making cookies and talking until very, very late, which made his grandma think I was a hussy. I PROMISE we were only talking until 3:AM! Laughter and conversation has always been the hallmark of our relationship. We have always been friends first.

But he was a romantic too, sending me mushy cards and taking me on long walks in the moonlight. We often ended up at the huge stained glass window on campus, a picture of Jesus knocking on the door. We would sit on the lawn outside of it and dream together, discussing where God might be taking each of us and our desires to use our gifts for His service. We recognized a divine touch in each other and pointed out the strengths we saw, even the ones that may separate us, as his did for a while.

I realize now this is what attracted me most to my husband. God and His call has always been more important to him than me. I haven't always appreciated that. I mean, c'mon, shouldn't I be the world to him?! But I understand a man learns to be a good husband by looking to the best example, not by doting on his wife. An ordinary man becomes an extraordinary husband by hitching his trailer to the One who loves perfectly. I am blessed because I am not his first love. His first love enables him to love me better.

The first time she met him, my grandma told me, "That Kevin is a nice, young fellow. You set your cap toward him!" She was right. He is a nice, young fellow, but most importantly, he is a man who strives to follow his Lord. I may not always like what that means for me, but in the long run it has proven to be a huge gift.


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