When Boy Meets Girl
1) When Boy Meets Girl
It happened on a Saturday night in 2003. The first time I saw Linda was when she came for make-up cell group in one of my members' house. She was wearing a flowery dress. Her quiet demure and her pony tail caught my attention,But what attracted me most was her smile- a sunshine smile which resembled a high school girl.
It was like love at first sight, during the meeting in May 2003, I kept looking at her direction. Due to my introvert nature, approaching a girl and saying "hi" is not something that comes natural to me. Should I or should I not?In the end, I did not speak to her. I prayed," God cause her to visit us again..."
I later found out from Pam, one of my cell member that Linda is working in 3M.I began to look out for this girl in church. One month passed, I did not get to see her in church, she did not come to cell group either. Then one Saturday night in October 2003, as I stepped into my cell member's house for cell meeting. I saw her ! My heart was pumping fast. I wanted to go up to introduce myself to her but again, I dare not. She was talking to Pam and CheongWai throughout.That night , I left the place with a sense of regret -" How I wish I have courage to go up to her to introduce myself to her."
A few weeks later, while going home after church service, I was waiting for the bus when I spotted Linda. This time, I told myself I must not let her go like this, I went up and stuck a conversation with her. We had a short and fruitful chat-I told her what I am working as- a Teacher, how naughty my kids were, she shared about her cell group and her job in 3M. It was time to part. I felt sad but somehow I said to myself,"Perhaps God will open a door again.."
Months passed. I did not see Linda again. One Saturday night as I was on my way to cell meeting, I received a phone call from June, one of my cell members.She told me that Linda was coming to cell meeting.My heart was excited. June told me to bring her to the place of meeting.I was at Outram MRT then, on my way to Seng Kang. After gotten hold of Linda's number, I called her and arranged to meet her outside the station. She finally arrived. We got into a cab and started chatting till we reached the place. I realised I have slowly fallen in love with her.
2) From strangers to good friends
Our friendship grew from that day on. We began to sms each other more often. I began to date Linda and she agreed to go out with me. Our first date was at Taka.We had steam boat dinner at Coco Restaurant, after that we went to a nearby park and we sat down and talked. It was a wonderful feeling. I was thrilled. We began to sms late till into the night, sometimes till wee hours in the morning. We talked about everything under the sun. At the same time, we went out for more dates, once every week. It was December 2003 then.
3) The day I said "I love you Lin"
The planning for Valentine day on February 2004 started in December 2003. I prayed hard almost daily for God to create a miracle. I went to enquire the best florist in town and the best Resturant, in the end, I brought a stalk of roses at Far East Floral and booked the restaurant at Equinox. It was a romantic night for both of us-dining at the tallest restaurant in Singapore with a panaromic night view of the city's skyline. I gave Lin a valentine day card together with the roses.In it, I wrote these words," Lin, I love you."
4) The wilderness
Lin finally accepted my proposal to be my girlfriend. I was thrilled. Finally my prayers had been answered. I began to plan for wedding and promised that I would love her.
In April 2004,things began to go awry.Thoughts of doubts began to fill my heart. I began to develop fear in accepting Lin's past. I was afraid but all these while, I kept silence.I never shared with her my feelings. One day she invited me to her house for dinner, I promised to go but on that day I did not turn up.My actions hurt her and caused embarssment to her family. I hated myself.That night I called her and I initiated a break.
After we broke off, I cried almost every night. I was ashamed of what I had done to her. I had not been responsible. I had broken my promises to her. During those months,she was devastated. She was so traumatised that she failed one of her exam papers.Many times I wanted to call her but i just could not pick the courage to do so.At this point of time, the furture looked bleak, humanly it was not possible for me to be with Lin again unless God performed a miracle.
East Coast beach became my place of prayer.Whenever I was free, I would go there and pray.At least when I cried , no body would see me.
5) God is my strength in times of need
The period from May to October 2004 was perhaps the lowest point in my life. There were many times I did not feel like attending church or cell group. I was disappointed with myself but at the same time I told myself I must go on with life.When I attended church service, I dared not meet Lin.I simply had no courage to face her. During those months, I did a lot of self reflection. I realised that I still had feelings for her, in short I still love her.The only consolation was the Word of God, every night after reading the Word, I would literally cried myself to sleep." God, if only you will give her back to me again..." That became my deepest heart cry.I was deeply regretful and shameful for driving her away from me.
6) Standing on God's promises
The 3 main bible passages that sustained me during those months were Gen 22, how Abraham brought Issac to be sacrified to God on Mount Moriah...Abraham was so sure that God would not kill Issac that he told his servants.."the lad and me will go up and worship God , then we shall return to you." The spirit filled life bible says of this verse.."God can resurrect a dead vision".
The next passage was Ezekiel 37 where God resurrected the dead bones. The last passage which brought me relief is found in John 11 of how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.
I held fast to these verses. I prayed hard.Many times I had to battle unbelief in my mind. I called up Lin several times and I spoke about reconciliation but everytime she would reject. I was devastated.Something in me just said.."Just believe."
7) God finally opened a way
June is a special lady.She is the wife of my cell leader Amos. She was instrumental in bringing me and Lin together again. She arranged all the meetings between me and Lin, besides praying for us, she spoke well on my behalf and she paved the way for me.
One night in November 2004, I prayed to God to open doors again. After five months in the wilderness, I decided to give it one last shot.I smsed Lin and told her I had come to my senses. I love her and I hope that she would give us a chance.
I waited, those minutes seemed like eternity. I expected a "no", but to my surprise,she finally agreed.For a moment,I could not believe, I was overjoyed.Five months of prayer and tears had finally yield results.
On 16th October 2004, we were finally attached in the presence of our cell leaders together with their blessings. From that day on, our courtship flourished, even though till now we still quarrel at times but these experiences had strengthened us. We love each other more than ever.
8) From Strength to Strength
Lin has become part of me. Now she made regular visits to my house and vice versa.My family has integrated her too. I look forward to the day of our marriage.I know God will see us through. To the cell members and friends who have prayed and stood by us during our wilderness period.Thankyou. Thankyou for your prayers and believing in us.I would also like to dedicate this blog to my wife- to -be,Linda. I am sorry I have caused you so much hurt.Despite all these,you still choose to stick with me.Thankyou for believing in me and loving me for who I am. I just want to say on this coming Valentine day that "Lin I love you."
May this blog be an encouragement to couples out there facing difficulties in their marriage and courtship. There is Someone out there who can turn things around and create miracles. His name is Jesus.Trust in Him.He will not let you down. Glory be to God.Amen.
Thomas
