The following evening, Monday night, I can tell you - again - exactly where I was when I learned a little bit more about this strange new person in our youth group. I was sitting in the middle of Johnny's playroom with...I don't know...80 other youth?...beginning a new topic at our weekly CrossTrainers Bible Study. We were beginning to study "holiness" and I remember Johnny opening our large group session asking us why God would want us to pursue holiness as Believers. I remember certain seniors and their electronic Bibles in hand (pre-iphone). I remember certain "leaders" of our group giving their long, deep-and-theological answers. Then I remember the unfamiliar voice, behind and to the right, in a corner of the room, say:
"Because we have been commanded to live like Jesus did. And He was holy."
I remember that the whole room seemed to turn with me to see who, precisely, had made the statement.
Of course you can guess that it was Mike. And I remember the exact thought that flowed into my brain next. (Keep in mind that I was 15 years old.) I'd heard him, turned, and immediately reflected, "It didn't dawn on me that he would be godly."
And that was the second part of my first impression.
And I don't have a picture of myself for this part - I (conveniently?) lost most of my non-scrapbooked high school pictures in Katrina. But a really good one is forthcoming. :) Or...if you want to email me one, I'll post it (you know who you are!).
Your "Story of Us" is so fun - I love reading about other couples who have been together for a long time and shared so many years of memories (while we haven't been together as long as you and yours, we started dating in college, which is now going on 7 years!) :)
ReplyDeleteWhat's interesting about Calvinism in Baptist circles/local churches is that those views are much more widely held than some may realize. Charles Spurgeon is one that comes to mind - he's been a revered man of faith amongst Baptists for years, and yet many fail to realize that he was a Calvinist. I've been really encouraged by mine and my husband's past four years up here at Southern as it's really opened my eyes and heart to such views of God's sovereignty and love~
Do you remember me from Adrian's wedding? It's funny - after college and knowing her since, I've seen your face quite a bit, and just now commented on your blog for the first time! I've enjoyed how the blogosphere connects people like this :)
I love you are doing this! I can honestly say, I remember you and Mike dating in high school, but I had no idea how it all came to fruition. Thank you so much for sharing. I "accidentally" did the same thing on my post earlier this week about our latest John Mayer concert. It's nice to get it written down so that one does not forget the small details of falling in love. Hope you all are doing well and thanks for sharing your story!
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