The One That Got Away

My husband and I were enjoying a meal at a hamburger restaurant when "he" walked in and my attention was automatically drawn to him. He had his wife and two young daughters with him. In silence, he and his wife sat down as the girls chatted away about the food that was to come. I sat quietly observing them as I ate my food.

The interaction between the family was not that which would draw attention to themselves but for some reason they held mine. The wife didn't smile. The daughters were laughing and talking excitedly as they ate their food, yet still no smile crossed the mother's lips. The man watched his wife, the whole time in longing. It was clear that he loved her and wanted some type of interaction, but it was not coming. She didn't talk to him and would not even look his direction. In my eyes, it appeared that she was unhappy with her life. This saddened me.

As this dinner continued, the interaction of the family did not change. Two words were etched in my mind: "Cherish her". I looked down for a moment at the napkin before me and over at the pen in my purse. "No God" I thought as embarrassment flooded my mind. But the words persisted as I ate my meal. So, I began to make excuses "What would my husband think if I did this? What would the wife of this man think? This is just crazy God. How can you ask me to do something so random???" The war of my mind continued. Suddenly, and I am certain it was God's testing, part of my fear was taken away as my husband excused himself to use the restroom. My eyes widened as I realized what had just taken place. God had taken away the biggest fear that I had in carrying out what He was telling me to do. "Cherish her." The push was stronger as I looked at the family once again, and then to the pen and napkin. I fidgeted nervously with the napkin. "No God. Please, I just can't do this."

My husband returned from the restroom, ready to leave. I agreed, and as I gathered my coat and purse the words still lingered "Cherish her." As our car drove away from the restaurant, I knew I had done wrong. I had grieved the Holy Spirit and had not given that man the napkin with those words written on it. I told God no and that what He was asking me was too much for me to do...at least in my mind it was.

Now, I may not have changed their marriage by not doing that--but I may have. However, I know that if God wanted it done, it would be done. I missed out on a spiritual reward that day. No matter how big or small, we should obey God. It may sound like the most silly thing for us to do but God knows the big picture. I failed the test that day but I learned a valuable lesson that will not soon leave my memory.

2 Corinthians 2:14-15
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.