Before I explain why Rich Shipe was digging
a hole in Christy Farris front yard, I need to back up a little. This is a
quite story – in fact, it’s one of the most romantic I’ve ever heard. But
that’s not my only reason for sharing it. This story will do more than merely
warm your heart. It’s an inspiring example of what happens when romance – and
all those feelings of passion, excitement, and urgency that go with it – is
guided by wisdom. And that’s what this chapter is all about.
Four years before his secret
excavation in her front yard, Rich had met Christy at the small Bible Church
they both attended. They were fourteen years old. Rich thought Christy was
really cute; Christy thought Rich was really annoying. Fortunately for Rich, he
didn’t stay fourteen. And as time passed, he and Christy became good friends.
During their senior year of high school, their relationship became romantic.
They began to write each other – not email, mind you, but old-fashioned,
handwritten letters – to express their feelings. Each letter was written from
the heart of love.
Falling in love wasn’t something Rich
and Christy could easily explain. Who among us can describe the mysterious and
powerful urge to pursue another person’s affection? Words just don’t do it
justice. Defining romance is like trying to capture the grandeur of the Grand
Canyon with a disposable camera. No matter how many snapshots you take, your
attempts fall short.
And guess what? Falling in love was
God’s idea. He was the one who made us capable of experiencing romantic
feelings. He was the one who gave us the ability to appreciate beauty and
experience attraction. And He was the one who invented marriage so that the
blazing fire of romantic love could become something even more beautiful – a
pulsing, red-hot ember of covenant love in marriage.
Why did He do it? For the same reason
that He made sunsets and mountain ranges and fireflies! Because He’s good.
Because He wants to give us a million different opportunities to see just how
wonderful He is.
Think about the first man and woman
God created. The story of Adam and Eve is the original “boy meets girl.” Their
love story shows so clearly that God is the Author of romance. Though we don’t
usually think of Adam and Eve’s story as a love story, it is bursting with
romance. They were humans like you and me. They saw, they felt, they desired.
Can you imagine the moment their eyes first met? Picture it. What would it be
like to behold a beautiful member of the opposite sex when you had never known
or imagined an opposite sex existed?
Sparks flew.
There was chemistry between those two
like nothing you’ve ever seen. And here’s the most incredible part: God was
watching and rejoicing over it all. He was the one who arranged the original
match. God, who spoke galaxies into existence, was finding joy in the beauty of
romance between a man and a woman. I can’t help thinking that God was smiling
as He watched the hearts of the first two humans beating faster than ever
before.
Written By: Joshua Harris
From his Book: BOY MEETS GIRL (Say Hello to Courtship)
God Bless Us..
cabreraflorina.blogspot.com
ios.florinac@gmail.com
