Yesupadam and Monika called my name one morning after
breakfast,“Sam.”
I turned around and walked back to
them thinking one of my folk had done something wrong and I’d need to do
something about it. Until I got closer, something else was coming out of their
eyes. And sure enough, as we faced outside the chapel of Love-N-Care Ministries
Monika said, “We want to give you our permission to pursue our daughter.”
My
initial thought was, “Your daughter is 14…” What came out of my mouth was
hoarse whisper, “Bethany?!?”
“No,
no, no! We would love it if you’d pursue our daughter.” They repeated while
pointing behind them at Mackenzie who was sitting with her friends finishing
their breakfast.
I
was shaking, literally I raised my hand and showed them - it was like a
Parkinson riddled old man, my heart was racing in my throat, and my mind was
swimming with both praise and thankfulness. It was a roller coaster. Never had
God spoken to me like this about someone and never had it been so confirmed by
people I respect so deeply.
“I’d
prayed about that,” was my only response.
“What
do I do with a recommendation like that? I want to do something, but what? How
do I talk to her? I’m dangerous; she should run from me, right? God what are
you doing?” Questions and ideas and more ideas and terrible ideas and great
ideas were shooting across my brain as we walked down to the school to paint,
“what do I do?”
I
threw down my paint brush and looked at my buddies painting the wall with me,
“Guys what do I do with a recommendation like this?!?” I asked almost
frustrated.
They
told me to go for it, so did Hugh (one the elders and one of my dearest
friends) and so did Jeremy (one of the pastors and another dear friend).
“Obviously she has the same interests as you,” “You’re both in India,” and,
“What do you have to loose,” kept being repeated to me. Allie, a good girl
friend of mine echoed these same sentiments.
I
wrote this in my journal that night,
“Jan. 8, 2012
Today was rather
interesting for a couple of reasons. First, because Yesupadam and Monika took
my aside and told me, “You have our blessing to pursue our daughter.” At first
I was confused - their daughter is 14, but then I understood they were talking
about one of the women from the other group here, Mckenzy (sp?) I do not deny
she is pretty and often I’ve seen her reading Scripture and silently meditating
over the Bible. I must speak with her about this if for nothing more than the
immense amount of respect I hold for Yesupadam and Monika.
Also Brad and I are
going to try to stay for another week if it is possible to do so, Jeremy said
it was okay – just to cover any extra costs we might have.
Lastly, I was able
to preach at the village tonight, as well as play music (long night for my
voice). It was a fun evening.
This group God put
together and got here are a prime group, they’re learning a ton and dealing
with it beautifully – I don’t doubt they’ll each never be the same from this. J
I’m both fearful and
oddly excited about this lady Yesupadam and Monika have recommended to me, but
I must control my raging and violent heart cause I feel like a tempest that may
destroy her ship. God will provide the strength as well as the wisdom to
discern the correct action(s).
Soli Fide. Soli
Gratia. Soli Scriptura. Soli Cristo. Soli Deo Gloria.”
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