Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Did Cupid Trick Me?


“Yes—he wants to meet my parents!” My heart spun in circles. A secret crush, Ethan, had asked to accompany me home from college Easter weekend. Kevin Levellie, another friend of Ethan’s, pastored a small church in Fresno, where my folks lived. After Sunday evening worship, Ethan and I popped over to Kevin’s house, visiting into the night. Driving back to school the next morning, Ethan suggested we pray for Kevin. Seems he thought a wife would cure Kevin’s loneliness.
Eager to Impress
Eager to impress Ethan I nearly sang, “All right! I’ll go first.”
Dear Lord, please lead a woman into Kevin’s life who will stand beside him, offering hope in the darkness and laughter in the bright times, who will help him pastor your sheep with tenderness, bringing out the best in him and them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Shortly after my show-offy prayer, Ethan lost interest in me. Although confused and hurt, I accepted his explanation that he felt inferior because I had wheels and he didn’t.
The Diamond Bikini
That spring, Kevin and I started writing. This old-fashioned custom requires use of a pen and paper to tell someone what’s been going on in your life, and ask them about theirs. After finishing the letter, you fold the paper, place it in an envelope, attach a stamp, and mail it. Archaic, I know, but effective.
When I returned home for the summer, our friendship soared. By August, my ring finger danced in the Fresno sun, clad in a diamond bikini.
God Smiles
Do God’s methods of answering prayer baffle you? Although I consider myself creative, I did not have me in mind when I asked God to send Kevin a wife. In fact, I had insisted since childhood that a preacher was my last choice as a spouse because I wanted to be rich.
Yet thinking back over the last thirty-seven years (I was five when this story took place), who am I to look the Great I Am in the face and say, “You bungled it the day you called me, Lord. I’m too silly, loud, impulsive, and messy to make a decent pastor’s wife.”
He would only smile and say, “You asked for a wife for Kevin, didn’t you?”
The above is an excerpt from my book, Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top, which releases in April. If you'd like to read other fun Cupid stories, go to Diane Estrella's blog and link to any that strike your fancy. Happy Valentine's Day!

16 comments:

  1. G'd takes us places we never thought we would go. Wishes for a very sweet and happy Valentine's Day!

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  2. I've read your story before and love it every time. God certainly has a great sense of humor to match yours. Hugs and happy anniversary!!! :O)

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  3. A fun & lovely story. Always enjoy your posts.

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  4. And have you figured it out yet that you ARE rich? :)

    I love you just like you are, "silly, loud, impulsive, and messy." That's my Jeanette.

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  5. Don't you love it when God screws up? ;)

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  6. Love that story! And I bet those very qualities make you a fantastic pastor's wife. People don't want perfect--they want real!

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  7. I'll never ever be able to wrap my brain 'round God's infinite wisdom.

    I saw over at 'Our Victoria..." that you were celebratin' an anniversary and I just had to pop over and shout....

    HAPPY ANNIVERSARY YOU TOO LOVEBIRDS!

    May the honeymoon go on forever!

    God bless ya have a fun time celebratin' your anniversary, Valentine's day and each other!!!

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  8. I love your story. And I love how we're always 5 when a story takes place...lol!

    But seriously, beautiful. Now that's an inspirational romance!

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  9. What a great story, Jeanette! (And a great teaser for your book too!) :)

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  10. I love this story! Thanks for the sample of your book, will hop over and read it now. Happy Anniversary!

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  11. What an awesome love story! Can't wait for your release date. Hope you are having the best V'day yet.

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  12. Isn't it funny how we think we know what we want/need, but God knows the real scoop?

    Great story, Jen!

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  13. Hahaahaaaa! Too cute. ;-) And funny about you wanting to be rich. I think God heard your prayers and made you rich, but in a different way than you expected. lol

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  14. Love it! A preacher and a cradle-robber. LOL

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  15. You know that was a lie, right? I was MUCH older: 19.

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