Sometimes life-events take us by surprise. It’s like sight-seeing in Alaska and watching for whales to breach in the ocean. You never know when one will break the surface of water and spectacularly rise into the air before your eyes. And you’re never sure where it might happen even when dozens of whales are swimming in the water all around you. So you watch, and wait, and with patience, inevitably you are rewarded and awed.
This is how Kathy came into my life.
After two to three years of steadfast prayer to understand the spiritual meaning of marriage, and making huge gains in my demonstration and outward expression of “marriage” qualities, Kathy walked into my life. I wasn’t looking for it. I wasn’t expecting it. But it happened.
It occurred so gracefully, so unexpectedly, yet so naturally. We had met in passing five years earlier, but it had meant absolutely nothing to either of us at the time, and we lived 1,200 miles apart in the meantime.
But the second time, when she came to visit my sister who lived near me in the Tri-Cities, Washington, something different happened. My sister asked that I take Kathy out to dinner one evening for something to do. I did. And the rest is history.
Looking back, the timing was perfect, as if God had it all figured out ahead of time. Our feeling of closeness and oneness grew rapidly, and without glitches. We were being carried forward by a force greater than ourselves.
The attraction accelerated so rapidly those old questions about staying single versus getting married clamored for final resolution.
Arguments for staying single elbowed their way around in my consciousness: “I can be happy single. Marriage is not necessary for happiness. You have everything you need coming from God. What if you regret the decision later?” popped up with a bit of consternation—for a short while.
My love for her was not the question. That was solid and beyond doubt. It was fear of getting married and regretting the decision later that dogged me a bit.
I took all those arguments straight on until I found my peace. And the final culminating question that solved everything for me was my answer to the question: “Will you grow faster in love married to Kathy or not?” And without a doubt, I knew the answer was “Yes, I will grow much faster in learning about love and how to live it unselfishly with her than not.” And that was the clincher, the closing argument, the final verdict. I was ready to move.
And move I did…
Okay Evan, I loved this…but had to LAUGH when I read the analogy of Kathy appearing like a whale out of the water in Alaska– not sure I would like that analogy so much! Just teasing you of course–but had to smile when I read it! Love that it unfolded so naturally–as though God knew about it all along!
Okay, okay…I didn’t catch that one when I wrote the analogy! But can see now why you laughed. Hopefully she’ll forgive me…:)
Hmmm…have to be more careful about my connections next time…LOL
Oh, I’m so grateful you have a good sense of humor–I took a walk right after I posted that, and thought: have I offended Evan? The very last thing in the world I would ever want to do! Glad you responded that way–could see the smile all across your face! BTW, whales are the most graceful, beautiful, and elegant of all God’s creatures–just like Kathy!
Some times innocent jokes go too far and scare the public. This is just how Mortal Mind creeps into consciousness when we least expect it, even with Christian Scientist’s. Way back in the 1940’s & 1950’s, comedians were making Jokes of how women nag their husbands to death, which might have scared many not to marry. RUBBISH! MORTAL MIND! SCAT!, marriage is one of the greatest institutions of human life. Too think of a wife as a Whale is extremely unflattering.
I loved your analogy, Evan. It didn’t occur to me that it might be considered unflattering until I read the comments (and I am a woman). What I “heard” you say was that you were filled with awe at the beautiful, unlooked-for, grace-filled arrival into your world of this amazing woman. And, having just shared such wonderful experiences as watching the whales on your trip to Alaska, I’m sure Kathy will know what you meant and how you meant it. 🙂
To above,
She does! Gratefully…