Unconventionality and a Confession

Genesis 24:57-58
"Then they said, “Let’s call the young woman and ask her about it.” So they called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?”

“I will go,” she said."

The following is a blog that I wrote within just a few weeks of meeting Charles back in January. Many have asked the typical question about how we met - so here's the story ;)

During Southeast Texas’ latest Non-Winter Storm event I found myself curled up on the couch watching the classic Sleepless in Seattle which is of course inspired by the ultimate classic An Affair to Remember, the ultimate girl fairy tale movies full of love, and romance. In the movie Sleepless in Seattle, a young widower, Sam Baldwin, ends up telling his story of losing his wife on a talk radio show that his son had called in to. Instantly thousands of women across the United States begin sending him letters of desire to be with him. Sam, who does not want to read the letters, tells his son, “This is not how it’s done, I’d much rather just see someone I like, get a feeling about them ask them if they want to have a drink...if you like them, you can always ask them to dinner, and if don't, you can just say, well, that was that and go home.” This statement struck a chord with the thoughts that I have struggled with this past week. See, I have a confession to make. I have been on eHarmony. Yes, it is out. It’s embarrassing to me, but true. I guess I am just bored, and just in case, somehow there is a right guy on there for me, I don’t want to miss it. But when it came down to it – and I actually meet someone that I might really like, I want to jump ship because it’s not how I want it to be. Yes, I realize in this day and age many people meet on the Internet, but I don’t want that to be me. I just want to be living my life, and somehow I cross paths with "Mr. Perfect", he notices me, thinks I’m the bomb, asks me out and it’s happy ever after. However, I thought, who cares, it’s a movie right?

Dating and the Internet is of course not in the bible, however, I was quickly reminded of how many love stories woven throughout scripture happened in many unconventional ways, maybe to women who had the same dreams of marrying Mr. Perfect the right way. For example, let’s examine the story of Rebekah. Her story, found in Genesis 24, by no means had any trace of conventional tradition. Abraham, Isaac’s father had sent his servant to his former country to find a wife for his son Isaac. With specific instructions, the servant headed out in obedience to do what had been asked. Once he got there, a beautiful young woman came to fill her jar with water. Just as she had done I’m sure many times before, but little did she know that this time would change the course of her life forever. Because as she did, Abraham’s servant asked for a drink and she not only offered him a drink but water for his camels as well. This was the sign that Abraham’s servant had prayed that God would give him to know that she was the right one. Before she knew it, she was on her way, by her own will, to head to an unknown land to meet her new husband and cousin, Isaac. Talk about unconventional.

There are many more stories of romance and marriage through the unconventional such as Ruth and Boaz, Hosea and Gomer and the list goes on. Sam Baldwin, did end up finding his happy ever after through a woman who had heard him on the radio. And maybe just maybe God's happy ever after for me and and life for you are also not through conventional means. We just need to be open to anything God has for us, knowing that His ways are always best. I’m so thankful that God is patient, and loves us and gives us His best if we submit ourselves to Him despite ourselves. Yes, despite our sinful, horrible, foolish selves that so often gets in the way.

And I am thankful that God was patient. I am thankful that I was willing to listen to the Lord despite what I thought I wanted and despite how I wanted it to happen! Because God's way is way beyond what I could have imagined. God is such a good God!