Most women like to
hear a love story, especially around Valentine's Day. It
seems no matter how old we are, there is that little
something inside of us that craves "romance."
Unfortunately, our husbands progress at the same momentum
toward the "unromantic!" At any rate, to help appease
that yearning for a good, old fashioned love story, I am
going to tell you one today. The names of the individuals
in our little saga will remain nameless for the time
being.
Once in a small town far
away from here there lived a young man of modest means
and average appearance. He was the kind of fellow that
you would pass on the street and later not be able to
even recall that you saw him. A man of reasonable skill,
he was able to support himself in a field that would
certainly not gain him any notoriety, but would provide a
decent income.
Also in this small town was
a young girl who was most probably the type that you
would take a second glance at if you passed her on the
street, for she had a countenance and demeanor that was
sure to draw attention. The inner beauty she possessed
surpassed the outward, and it was more than likely that
that was what attracted our young man to her in the first
place. There were without a doubt many attractive women
in the vicinity, and he had certainly been giving them an
"investigative" study, but this particular one stood out
in a unique and intriguing way from all the rest. In
other words, he was smitten!
According to the custom of
the day, he made plans to court this beauty and to
eventually win her love. Always a gentleman, he brought
her small gifts, talked with her about her hopes and
dreams, and in the only way he knew, did his best to make
her feel like the center of his universe. (This
definitely sounds like a fairy tale, doesn't it!) But
most importantly, they talked of their love for God and
their mutual desire to serve Him in whatever way He
chose.
As time passed, this young
man realized that this wonderful girl was the one with
whom he wanted to spend the rest of his life, and with
the approval of her parents and her consent, they became
engaged. The age-old custom of making wedding plans began
in earnest with all concerned pitching in with
enthusiasm.
However, this beautiful
scenario was about to take a sharp turn to the right.
This precious treasure, the tight of his life, gave him
some news that left him devastated and confused. She was
going to have a baby. Now, having conducted himself in
the most proper and reserved way throughout their
courtship, he knew the child was not his. His heart
breaking, he searched for direction as to what steps to
take, certain that he would never recover from this
blow.
Days passed as he struggled
with indecision and grief; he prayed for God's guidance;
he played out a multitude of options in his mind.
Finally, he came to the conclusion that his only choice
was to break off the engagement, but to do it in such a
way as would bring the least embarrassment to his beloved
and her family. With a heavy heart, he prepared to make
his way to their home and break the news.
What this man did not reckon
on was what happened next even as he prepared to make the
one visit he never in his life dreamed he would have to
make. The stress and sadness of what he was enduring
finally took its toll on him, and night of sleeplessness
descended upon him as he fell to the couch in utter
emotional and physical fatigue. Steep came mercifully
fast but did not go undisturbed for he was soon absorbed
in a dream… one that convinced him that he should
take a completely different course of action than the one
planned. Upon awakening, he felt a jubilation and
exhilarence he had not experienced since the news of the
impending birth.
Grabbing his coat, he rushed
out of his house and made his way to the home of the
young woman with the speed and deliverance of a man who
know exactly what his next move will be. Politely but
impatiently knocking on the door, he was greeted by this
young beauty who could stilt make his heart skip a beat.
Looking at her serene countenance, he almost, for a
moment, sensed that she was not at all surprised to see
him, and might have actually expected to hear the words
not yet uttered from his lips. Without fanfare or
dramatics, he looked at her, got down on one knee, and
grasping her hands said, "Wilt you marry me?" And this
lovely girl who, in everyone else's eyes, should have the
weight of the world on her shoulders, calmly gazed at him
and said simply, "Yes."
The marriage took place, and
they awaited the birth of the child; our fine young man
took gentle care of his bride and even aided in the
delivery of this child who was not his, but whom he had
come to love and anticipate.
The years went by as they
added to their family children of their own, but it was
always evident to these two that the firstborn was
different and uniquely special from the others. To that
end, they were dedicated to the adherence of the laws of
their God and made sure this son was exposed to their
religion and traditions from the beginning of his
life.
The young man in our story
became an old man and eventually died; the young woman
became aged, and although she outlived her husband,she,
too, passed away; but for all her years she remembered
the complete devotion and love she was shown by this
extraordinary man who was her husband. It would only be
surpassed by the extraordinary love and sacrifice of the
Man who was her son.
