It was September 4 and I was at a Women’s Connection Brunch. I'd set my cell phone on silent. While listening to a presentation, I noticed a phone call came through with an area code from the Portland. Could this be Jim? I quickly went outside to listen to the voicemail. Sure enough, I heard an enthusiastic voice saying, “Wow, this feels kind of strange, but I’m wondering if you’d like to meet for coffee this morning? Give me a call and let’s see if we can set a date!” I immediately called back and we agreed on 12:30 that afternoon. We were to meet at a nearby Starbuck’s just across the river. I smiled in excitement. What might this meeting be like?
I was a bit late, as I drove into the crowded parking lot. Meeting someone for the first time is always an adventure. Lots of times, I’m disappointed, for the person is not quite what I imagined but I optimistically thought this would not be the case. I walked toward the shop. There were a few people scattered at tables outside in the partially sunny outdoors. I glanced inside and noticed a trim man dressed in jeans and polo shirt. He had a full head of salt and pepper hair and wore wire, squarish glasses that framed his friendly blue eyes. His back was to me and he stood, looking across the crowded lunchtime group as if he spied someone across the room.
“Are you Jim?”
He turned to me, flipped his laptop open, looked at my profile photo on the screen, and said, “Yes. You must be Shirley.” We shook hands and Jim asked what he could get for me.
I won't tell you everything we talked about, but I will tell you our conversation lasted more than two hours--and we could have talked for many more. We clicked. Even that day, both of us separately thought this might be the real deal.
It wasn't long before Jim popped the question. Of course there's so much more to the story, but this is a blog, after all. I'm putting the longer version into a book.
Someone once said to me, "Shirley, you lead a charmed life!" I don't know if "charmed" is quite right. Blessed might be the better word. I am blessed with so many surprises from God. On Wednesday, we read in Psalm 105:
Oh, give thanks to the LORD!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples!
Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works!
Every morning when I wake up and as I drop off to sleep at night, I do give thanks to the Lord. For the wonderful gift God gave to us. We nearly moment by moment, thank God for this gift. So today, I'm giving thanks for his "deeds among the peoples".
Happy Friday everyone. I pray God blesses you as He has me.
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| The sign says it all |
