Monday, February 14, 2011

BE MINE

I almost didn’t go.

It was 2002. The year of my 30th high school reunion.

I didn’t really have a good reason not to go. It’s just that high school hadn’t been the "best" time of my life. I had friends, yes – but I was far from being one of the popular girls.

And so, I wasn’t sure if there would be anyone to talk to.

But then I found out some of my friends were going to be there – so, why not?

By the time I made this decision, it was only about a month away.

OH DEAR.

Hadn’t gotten "too" chubby – so, OK on that. Well, at least I THOUGHT I was until I went out looking for a new outfit. Nothing fit – or if it did, it made me look worse. So, opted for a short little number in my closet. (OK, I’m claiming it – I’ve still got cute little legs!)

Color the roots. Yeah, got that covered.

No time to get contacts – so, wearing glasses was just going to have to do.

What is it about high school that still does this to us – even 30 years later? Compare, compare, compare – all my insecurities came raging back.

However, at the ripe old age of 48, somehow they didn’t quite matter as much.

Fast forward to the night of the reunion.

I’m having a great time with my friends. And then, across a crowded room…

…I saw him.

The most handsome man I’d ever seen.

I kept surreptitiously glancing at him (translated: subtle, sneaky STARING). After a few minutes, it began to dawn on me that I thought I recognized him – remembered him from the past.

I told my friend to check him out.

"I think I know him," I said.

"Who is it?" she asked.

I told her. She IMMEDIATELY leaped up from her seat and dashed off, while her voice lingered in the air, "I’m going to go find out."

OH NO.

Fortunately, she didn’t say anything to him. She just walked by him about 20 times. No, that’s not obvious AT ALL!

She came back from her recon mission.

"His name tag’s hidden underneath his coat. I think I saw a D and a K for his last name."

That confirmed it. It was the same "boy" I had gone to elementary school with. The same boy who was in my 4th, 5th, AND 6th grade classes with me. The same boy who I had had a GIANT crush on back then…

He was surrounded by women.

You know, I had a little internal wrestling match with myself. Should I go talk to him, should I not? I was nervous…

But then I decided that I was NOT in high school anymore – I was a fully-grown, 48-year-old woman, and I could do this.

So, I made my way across that crowded room.

I regressed quickly, and by the time I reached him, I barely squeaked out (in my 4th grade voice, mind you), "Hi, you probably don’t remember me, but I went to elementary school with you. I’m Sharon…"

And then I stared at my shoes.

Well, something must have made an impression on him. We talked for quite awhile that night. He said he wanted to see me again. (I think it was the cute little legs…)

Fast forward one year later…

The same night that the reunion had been on, the same place – a lovely meal, holding hands, a quiet walk…

And, a four-page letter – a stunning, and unexpected proposal!

I said, "YES!" – and almost eight years later, we are very happily married, and still very much in love.

It’s a wonderful thing when someone says, "Be mine!"

"The Hub" is a wonderful sweetheart. He is the perfect Valentine.

But my heart also beats for another.

I am shamelessly in love with Jesus. The One who came to earth to rescue me. The Lover of my Soul. My Knight in Shining Armor – who rode into my world in a manger, and died for me on a cross. He is the Perfect Hero…

And one day, so very many years ago, He said to my heart, "Be Mine!"

I said, "YES!" – and almost 54 years later, I love Him more than ever.

Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to remember the One who loves you more than anyone else does. He is the One who loves you more than you do yourself.

Won’t you rush into His arms today, and tell Him how much you love Him back!


"I have called you by name; you are mine…you are precious to me…and I love you." (From Isaiah 43)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

18 comments:

  1. Ahh, Sharon, what a great story of an unexpected love connection. Yet even with those God brings into our lives, no other love compares to His, as you so eloquently reminded us all. Happy Valentine's Day.

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  2. what a cute story of how you met your hubby! so glad you did go to that reunion!! also great reminder to remember today the Author of Love indeed!!

    betty

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  3. What a beautiful love story! I have not attended any of my class reunions. Too painful. But what joy to hear of how it turned out for you! Woo hoo!

    I especially love to hear of your heart's desire for Jesus - the one and only Valentine. I'll have to post about it sometime, but He's been pouring His love over me this whole day. I am overjoyed and overwhelmed. Somehow I know you'll understand.

    Happy Valentine's Day, my dear sister in Christ!

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  4. This is a beautiful story, Sharon. ANd you almost didn't go to that reunion. I am almost sure that there was a little "Voice" telling you to go. Aren't you glad you did?

    And yes, as we celebrate this day of love, I feel so special that Jesus calls each one of us by name and comforts us, in the midst of whatever it is that we are going through "Be not afraid, you are Mine."

    Love
    Lidj

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  5. God is GOOD, ALL the time, HE IS GOOD!
    xxooo Janet

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  6. I'm smiling from ear to ear!! I love this story. It's so funny to think of you being 48 going on 13 for a night.

    And I really loved how you speak of Christ asking "Be Mine", too. Funny that in all my years of churchiness, I had never heard anyone say that quite that way.

    Fabulous! Giving you a queen wave.

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  7. okay writer...thanks for editing my post..yes it was suppose to be "touch", but "tough" is more what I have to do around this house of five boys!! I should never blog on "brain fog" week!!

    Great, great love story...both are great love stories. I too have loved the Lord for 45 years of my 50 and the love grows deeper each year.

    Enjoy your time with your Valentine and thankfulness for God bring him back into your life all those years later...what an awesome God we serve.

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  8. Sharon, just loved your story about meeting your hubby--the one who asked you to "Be Mine." But I also liked the fact that you referred to Jesus as your "Prince Charming". I can remember when I first met Jesus. I felt like my dreams had come true. My heart was filled with joy at last. The next month I met the man who would become my Hubby. Yet, deep within me, I knew that the one who put the joy in my heart first was Jesus.
    It's nice to know that you had the same feelings.
    Blessings,
    Janis

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  9. I'm so glad you attended that reunion and found the man of your dreams. I'm even happier Jesus still holds the key to your heart. Wonderful story, my friend!

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  10. Wanda - Yes, there is no greater love than the Love of God for His children. He is the very best Valentine of all!!

    Betty - Welcome back! I'm glad that I met my husband, too. But oh, how very grateful I am that I met Jesus so many years ago - His love made me whole.

    Debby - Oh I do indeed understand. Those "washed in God's love days" are so special. His love is the source of all joy.

    Lidj - Yes, I'm glad I went! I so agree with you - the knowledge that God calls me BY NAME is a wonder beyond believing. And what comfort I feel when I hear Him call to me, "Do not be afraid..."

    Janet - Oh He is - YES, He is - ALL the time. Love you, friend.

    Debbie - I see your queen wave! I was just thinking about Valentine's Day, and how the whole story of God's love is just one big romance. He "lost" us in the Garden, He came to "rescue" us through His Son, He "wooed" us through His Spirit, and He holds on to His own with a jealous and protective love. He's just so great...

    Janette - Oh, tell me you knew I was kidding!! I actually loved the idea of female "tough!!" I just got little goosebumps at how you and your sweetheart have been together for so long (33 years - WOW!). But even more special was knowing that you've loved the Lord for much longer! What a tremendous God we have -

    Janis - I totally did have the same feelings. God's love just opened my heart up. He is my FIRST love - the One who made all other loves possible. And that continues to bring such joy to my life - you understand...

    Mary - Thanks so much. Yes, I did marry the man of my dreams. But I loved how you said, Jesus still "holds the key to my heart." That is so true - more so each and every day.

    GOD BLESS!

    Hope you all had a very Happy Heart Day!!

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  11. Aww. That was a great read! I'm a sucker for great love stories. And our God certainly wrote the best one of all. Blessings to you and your ''prince''.

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  12. Hi Sharon -

    What a heart massage story. I loved it.

    Thank you for sharing about our Lord, and Hub in such loving terms!

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  13. Thank you so much for sharing this love story - your right - you weren't in high school any more and your bravery won out. And it's true we should tell the Lord we love him every day.

    What a warm story.

    Love,
    sandie

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  14. Melissa - Yup, I kinda like our "aww" story, too!! But you're so right, God absolutely wrote the best love story of all. And WE get to be the star of the show! Isn't He great?!

    Sandra - Thanks. I just love thinking about God's love on Valentine's Day (and my husband is a real sweetie, too!). Is there anything quite as awesome as being asked by the Almighty King, "Be Mine"? Makes me just :)

    Sandie - I was "sorta" brave - but I'm sure glad I made that walk across the room. And I am eternally grateful that I opened my heart up to the Savior - yes, let's tell Him we love Him every day!!

    GOD BLESS!

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  15. What a wonderful love story. Oh, the one with the hubby was great too! Glad you went to that reunion. I know you can't imagine your life without the hubby. But then, God would have done it a different way! Great post. I loved how you tied the two stories together.

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  16. Denise - You're so funny! Yes, the wonderful love story is the one with me and God - the hubby one was a bonus!! It is amazing to watch how God weaves His way through our lives. We just never know where He's going to lead us. Me? I just want to follow...

    GOD BLESS!

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  17. Thank you for pointing me to this post! I had missed it - and I'm so sorry I did. This is just SO sweet. I'm thrilled it has worked out exactly the way it was supposed to - imagine if you'd have decided not to go!? :)

    And I have never quite considered Jesus wanting to be my valentine, but that is just awesome!

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  18. Jennie - Thanks for taking the time to read this. Yup, it's a good thing that I went! The funny thing is, my husband almost didn't go either - he only decided to go like a day or two before! Just "meant to be!" And yes, isn't Jesus the sweetest Valentine EVER?!

    GOD BLESS!

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

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