My 40 Year Story: Part Two

The waves crashed into the shore, the moon was shining, sand in our toes, I think it was time for me to get to know this guy who I just proposed to give the rest of my life to.  I did not know him.  He did not know anything about me.  We sat all night just talking on the beach of Black River Harbor on Lake Superior.

For starters, I found out he was from Milwaukee.  He was half English, part German, and part Irish.  His parents were divorced and I remember him telling me about his growing up years.  I told him my life story until that day.  Stories of pain, rejection, and lonliness.  His story was one of such discouragment.  One thing that sticks out is that he said he felt like a failure in all that he did. He was the black sheep of the family, it sounded like.  My, My, two broken souls.  Sounds like a match made in heaven, right?

Some of his close family members felt wholeheartedly that I was too full of bagage to be the one for Mark.  I can’t say that I blame them.  Not one of you out there reading this could disagree.  I mean, we all want the very best for our kids.  We want them to find this perfect mate, right?  Not a girl that was have used up with mental problems.  That is not the one we would pick.  Of course not!

I see how Christian parents try to make sure their kids are only around these other families that raise these kids that are like minded.  We do the same.  We want the kids to have this perfect start to life.  Sinless, spotless little lambs that have never been spotted from the world.  I am not frustrated with this idea.  The frustrating part of this paradox is that this was one of those situations that was right but looked so wrong from every angle and it is something I can’t resolve in my own mind.  I sure did not deserve a man as wonderful as I got.  But then again, what one of us deserves anything good?  God by his grace and mercy bestows gifts to us whether we deserve them or not.  Mark was my greatest gift beyond my salvation.

Well, I am sorry that I disappointed my husband’s family so much in the beginning, but I would like to argue the point that God can use someone that has a broken past.  He can use someone that has been through the wringer a few times and learned some lessons from the hard knocks of life.  Afterall, God does not call the equipt, He equips the called.  All I know is that I was a perfect fit for this soul and he was likewise my perfect match.

It was not easy trying to win their respect, but I had to come to grips with the idea that it may never happen and if God wanted to join us together, we just had to go ahead without the blessing.  I know how deeply it must have grieved his family.  I can’t even ask forgiveness because I knew that it was the right thing to do.  God’s perfect will for our lives.

He said, “I won,t bring you flowers, or candy, and I am not romantic like other guys are, but all that fades anyhow.  My love will never fade.”   Was I dreaming?  I sure did not need any of the fluff.  Just kindness.  I asked him, “What can I ever do to thank you for being so good to me?”  He returned, “I will tell you later!”

He took me to the bluffs of Lake Michigan in the dim moon light.  We stood there looking over the vast sea of ripples.  The waves crashing into the shore.  He did not say anything at all for a span of time.  I was in awe of God’s creation.  It was marvelously beautiful.  The way the moon lit the waves below, as the water shimmered.  Then he grabbed my little hands in his much larger hands, “Erin.  Do you remember when you asked me what you could do to thank me?”  I said, “Yes!”  The man of few words, looked down at my hands safely tucked away in his.  He slowly looked up until our eyes met, “You can thank me by spending the rest of your life with me.”  Then he pulled out a ring, it was my favorite kind, an antique one, nothing fancy.  He slowly went down to his knee and he was the same height as me at this point.  “Will you marry me?”

I guess my proposal was not official.  This was official.  Sealed the deal.  And I was really thinking in my mind, he said he was not romantic.  That was romantic, I do not care what anyone says, that was about the most romantic story ever!  And it was mine!  Of course I said “YES!”  I believe I would have been a fool to say no!

My story is long, for that I am sorry.  I just get carried away with my words, but it gets better, trust me.  I will continue this story tomorrow.  Stay tuned if you want to hear the story of how I nearly had my organs harvested in a foreign land.  It is one of my craziest stories of all time.  Thank goodness I lived through that episode.

Oh, and I am still having a sale on my books.  Here is a fun idea…
After I get through my life stories, I can start doing an official book club with my book, Living Virtuously!  If you do not have a copy, you need to get one now while they are 50% off.  I am planning to go through each chapter, and in so doing I will have a study guide at the end of it.  I will be looking at the comments and it will be a fun time of fellowship for sure!