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“Hi,” I said to my mother as she answered on the first ring.
“I’m almost ready for you to visit!” She hollered, huffing, and puffing. “I’ve just torn the linen closet apart, and the couch is now a bed!”
“You didn’t have to do that but thank you.” My voice was low as I wasn’t sure if it carried inside.
Her voice turned low in response. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. I’m here at the pet owners’ class, sitting next to a gorgeous guy who’s very interested, but it’s just… Not the one.”
“That’s okay, Katie! Just because he’s gorgeous doesn’t mean anything. Looks fade, but personality is forever.”
“Yes, but his personality is nice too.”
“So, what’s wrong, then?”
“He invited me to his house after the class.”
“Um, absolutely not! Did you tell him you're not like that? What is he thinking? Ishelike that?”
“That’s what I was thinking. Okay, I better get back in there, I just needed to bounce that off someone. Thank you, I’ll text you when I get home.”
“Okay. Don’t go over there. I know you wouldn’t. Right? Tell me youwouldn’t.For so many reasons!”
Talking to my mother was my daily reminder that she apparently knew absolutely nothing about me.
“Trust me, I wouldn’t. I gotta go. Talk soon.” I hung up, took a deep breath, and prayed.
Dear Jesus,
I praise you for this week. What lessons You’ve taught me about life. I will continue to be patient for the right one.
In your name,
Amen
I waited around another minute, Dolly standing and staring off in the distance.
“Are you ready to finish this up?” I whispered to her and looked inside Newtown. No heads had turned in my direction and people were raising their hands as Samantha called on them. I picked Dolly up and put her back in her carrier and we walked inside, but instead of sitting next to Tommy, I took the first seat open on the aisle by the door. Tommy, stiffened as he heard my steps and peered over his shoulder to look back at me, smiling slightly.
“That’s all for tonight, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for adopting from Newtown. It means the world to me to be able to send our animals off to wonderful homes like yours.” Samantha started clapping for everyone in the audience, and Tommy stood, echoing her clap.
People began to stand and mingle as they made their way to the door. It was now or never, so I slipped out quietly and took the opportunity, feeling the sting of Tommy’s eyes on my back.
As I clicked Dolly's carrier into the car seat, I wondered if I would ever meet a man with the same values.That wasn’t already engaged.
While I was willing to give a non-Christian man a chance to learn about the Lord, I wasn’t willing to compromise my desires to stay pure until marriage. Purity, to me, meant a few different things: pure in mind, heart, and body. It was the pinnacle of my moral foundation since I was born again.
I got into the driver's seat and pulled out of the lot. Purity in mind, to me, meant acknowledging I was a sinner and I needed Christ’s salvation. In my heart, I had the desire to do His will. And I wanted to save my body for marriage. Thatdidn’t mean I had never been tempted. It’s very hard in societal standards to be this way, and I never would have thought I would wait this long.
But no matter what, His will took precedence in my life, and if I was meant to marry Eli—I mean, marry in general, then I would, and the waiting would all have been worth it. Alternatively, if the Lord had different plans for my life, I would accept that too. Because His plan was perfect.
I pulled into our complex and navigated the road in the dark. Part of me hoped to see Eli outside, and the other part reminded me of my plan to stay focused on finding someone available.
As I got out of the car and retrieved Dolly’s carrier, I walked slowly, but I didn’t see him. My feet dithered, wondering if maybe he would come out at any moment. I saw my neighbors sitting out on their porches and they waved.
“Hello,” I called out, louder than normal.
But he wasn’t here, and I went up my apartment steps, opening the door and locking it behind me.
