Young Love (#27)

Posted on November 30, 2016 by Margaret

After a turbulent week, something new and important began to dawn on me, something that would have a strong influence on Nate’s and my relationship. God began to show me the incredible depth of Nate’s love for me. It was patient, kind, not envious, not boasting, not proud. It wasn’t dishonoring, wasn’t self-seeking or easily angered. It kept no record of wrongs, didn’t delight in evil but rejoiced in the truth. It protected, trusted, persevered.

I thought of how Nate had literally demonstrated each one of those loving qualities when I so often had pushed him to the limits of love. And his response had always been… to love more.

Like a bolt out of the blue I realized Nate had been loving me exactly as the biblical “love chapter” (1 Corinthians 13) described. My eyes popped wide open as I recognized a love that was as strong as any love could ever be. And right then I made up my mind… to marry Nate.

April 23, 1969 – Dear Nate. I love you very much, despite this strange distance between us. I have the love of a fine man who even loves me unconditionally – whether my love in return is committed to him or not. What greater security and faithfulness could a girl desire? You’re the most terrific thing walking. When I actually sit down and think about all your qualities, I see you are an amazing, fantastic, wonderful person. Oooo, do I love you, Nate!

And… I want to marry you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In response to this letter, Nate called. And he was one excited, happy guy! We talked on the phone for an expensive 40 minutes, a splurge we’d never made before. By April 28, I was back in Champaign spending my spring break week with him, and we talked non-stop about engagement, marriage, and the timing of both.

We ate in the dorm dining room, and I watched him effectively lead his 72 men. I got acquainted with the head resident of his dorm; and his wife taught me how to paint with water colors while Nate was in class. Nate and I took long walks, holding hands and dreaming out loud about a blissful future together. He had a new bounce in his step, and I had a heart full of light and peace.

May 4, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I am tentatively thinking of Christmas for formal engagement, but we can keep it a secret until we make that decision. I need time to save for your ring! I love you very, very much. I will hug and kiss you till I die. You are so very precious that I’m afraid you’ll melt and run away! I love YOU!!!!

May 5, 1969 – Dear Nate. I miss you so much and am sorry our week together has concluded. But I’m very happy I’ve finally realized that I truly do want to be your wife, Mrs. Nathan Nyman! It was wonderful being at your side all week, to be so close to you for so long. The time was ripe for us to be together like that, and I’m thankful to the Lord for allowing that week to happen when it did.

May 5, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I pray for us daily, and for the problem of physical self-control now, not getting carried away. I’m seeking divine guidance in our general relationship, that we have good attitudes toward each other and are not rushing events. We both have strong wills, and we can wait. What’s one year in light of eternity?

May 6, 1969 – Dear Nate. One of our biggest problems, now that we’re committed to marriage, will be to wait sexually. It would be so easy to get carried away. I’m glad we’ve made that decision. With both of us determined, and with God’s help, we’ll abstain. The pleasure will be all the sweeter with a wait – a valuable prize at the end. I love you for agreeing. Today the custodian at my school asked me about “my fiancé.” I sure do like the sound of that!

May 6, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Thank you for sharing your spring vacation with me. I love you more than ever. I’m keeping busy studying for finals and writing a paper for Corporations. I think of you all the time, in your apartment and at school with your kidlets. And I think of you in that fabulous new haircut. You look magnificent with short hair – easier to kiss that neck and those ears.

“Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:8)

Hard Workin’ Woman

Posted on October 20, 2016 by Margaret

Mary loved to work. She was a classic example of the statement, “If you want something done, ask a busy person.” Her favorite answer to every request for help was “yes,” and she never seemed to run out of time to tackle one more thing.

Every Thursday when she came to my house in Michigan for an evening of fun, she arrived with a list of things she wanted to talk about. (She was efficient and didn’t want to forget anything.)

On her list were questions for me: Are you going to such-and-such a bridal shower? Wanna go in together on a gift? How much should we spend?

My answers initiated her next set of work projects as she quickly volunteered to send the RSVP for both of us, shop for the shower gift, and do the driving when the day came. In all the years we met on Thursdays, not once did I prepare a list of my own. I knew Mary would cover everything on hers.

After we’d talked through the things she wanted to know, she’d say, “So…. do you have any projects I can help you with?”

If I said, “Actually…. I’ve been thinking about transplanting some hostas from the back yard to the front.”

She would jump at it, saying, “Oh, I just love gardening.”

If I mentioned reorganizing the basement she’d say, “I really love to organize stuff.”

If it was painting, she’d say, “Painting is so satisfying.”

The truth was, Mary just loved to work…. whether on her own projects or those of others. It didn’t matter who it was for, when it would happen, or how strenuous the job. She worked hard while injecting enthusiasm into every task.

For many of us it’s easy to rationalize our way out of saying “yes” to the needs of others: “I sure wish I could help you, but I’m awfully busy. Maybe next time.”

I’ve thought a great deal about Mary’s indefatigable willingness to help, and I’ve concluded it was born of a desire to please her heavenly Father. She put all of her time commitments through a grid of, “Is this something God wants me to do?”

If his answer was “yes,” she didn’t worry about finding the extra time or energy she’d need, trusting God to give those things to her. And that system seemed to work well. She also believed Proverbs 14:23 – “In all toil there is profit.”

The good news for the rest of us is that Mary’s system can work for us, too, as long as we start by bringing the Lord into the choices we make for each new 24 hours.

“Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be achieved.” (Proverbs 16:3)