Williams
BRIAN COULD not believe his ears. How could Sharon be going away to get married? Quite vividly he remembered hearing God telling him that his wife would be Sharon Spencer. He had known her a long time and had always been attracted to her. Not
only was she a beautiful woman, but she was one
of the kindest souls one could know. He could not see himself living without her.
"So when are you going?" he asked nervously, not wanting to hear the answer.
"I will be flying out next week. Michael is looking a job for me and will be filing for me as soon as we are married." Although she was looking at him her eyes were far away. With each word the knot in Brian's stomach tightened.
Turbulent times
As the girl he had loved all these years started slipping away from him he tried to find a straw, "America is going through some turbulent times right now and jobs are hard to come."
"I know, but somehow I believe everything will be all right." Sharon saw no valleys; she only
saw stars. Come on Brian, try a little harder, he encouraged himself.
"Sharon, are you sure you are doing the right thing? I would not like to know that you throw your life away. You are in a good job here and you have only known this person for six months ..."
"That's true," she interrupted, "but it seems like I have known him all my life. He is all I have been dreaming about and more. Also I have prayed real hard about it and the Lord has shown me quite clearly that this is His will."
That could not be, Brian thought, God had told him that Sharon Spencer was to be
his wife. God does not make mistakes. He could not have told him one thing and Sharon another. One of them had not heard clearly and he knew he was not the one.
'Big mistake'
"Sharon, as your very good friend, would you reconsider your decision? I know that you are very much in love but I think you are making a big mistake."
"Brian, I thought you of all persons would have been happy for me. I am very disappointed with you." With tears blinding her eyes, Sharon got in her car and drove off. Brian watched as the car sped out of sight. She had slipped away. The noonday sun blazed down on him as he walked wearily to his car. Even the sun showed no sympathy.
During the next few days Brian spent every waking moment asking God to break up the relationship. "God," he agonised, "please send Sharon back home, you know how much I love her." Each time the phone rang he hoped it was Sharon calling to say that she had changed her mind. Weeks passed and finally his friends at church informed him that Sharon had gotten married.
Brian became disappointed with God. If God really loved him as He said He did why did He allow Sharon to go away and marry someone else. As he thought about it his disappoint-ment turned to anger and he stopped reading his Bible and prayer became a thing of the past. Instead of going to church he started hanging out at nightclubs. Late one night after leaving a nightclub he was held up, robbed and shot in the neck. It was a miracle that his life was spared and he was not disabled. Lying on his hospital bed his anger began to dissipate. He was forced to admit that God was showing him that He still loved him. However, he still had a nagging doubt. If God really loved him why then did Sharon go away? In the quietness of his hospital room he prayed, "God, I know I heard your voice plainly telling me that Sharon Spencer was my wife so I do not understand why she went away. I am still hurting but I hand over all my hurts and disappointments to you. Amen." As the prayer ended Brian experienced a deep sense of peace that he had not know since Sharon went away.
Two months later Brian was up and about. With renewed vigour he started going to church. Although his work had always kept him from attending the youth meetings he decided to go even though he knew he would be late. There were many new faces and the young lady who was speaking held the attention of the group. Not only was she charming to look at, it was obvious that she was also quite intelligent. As the meeting came to its close the president invited persons to go around and greet others. Although he was tired Brian found the energy to mingle. As if by magnet, he found himself drawn to the young lady.
"I am Brian Smith," he said.
Looking deeply into his eyes she replied, "and I am Sharon Spencer."
Ivret Williams is a counselling psychologist.
Send enquiries and comments to letstalkrelationships@
yahoo.com. Check the Saturday Gleaner for the answers that Ivret Williams has for the questions you ask about your relationships.
