Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: BEAT AROUND THE BUSH (05/25/17)
-
TITLE: Red Flags Invisible | Previous Challenge Entry
By LINDA GERMAIN
05/29/17 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
What if he doesn’t?
He’s handsome and smart and they both like walks on the beach, snow on Christmas Eve, and the smell of honeysuckle on a warm summer night.
Puppies and kittens make them smile. That Italian guy’s magnificent tenor voice gives them chills. Memories of pain and sorrow bring tears to their eyes. The world is a mess, and they don’t like that one bit. They voted for the same man.
They keep up. Education doesn’t help them understand how the current culture hit the skids and brains got scrambled and right became wrong, and wrong is hailed and worshiped.
They agree about the Trinity and Scripture’s admonitions about Heaven and Hell and deadly sins and commandments.
He hates carrots. She doesn’t like milk. He thinks ironing pillow cases is silly. She doesn’t get why he won’t wear a hat in the hot sun. They like to hold hands and sing to oldie-goldies from their youth.
His glass is often half empty. Hers slops over the top sometimes. She wants to step out in faith. He wants to consider every angle. She believes that joy is a state of being. He just wants to be happy.
She doesn’t like movies, crude and tacky. He loves to watch sports. She wants to dance in the kitchen. He says he has no rhythm. He lifts weights. She has a treadmill (in the corner, covered with a blanket, waiting patiently). She’s not skinny. He’s not fat. They both like to read.
In all these years, they have shared triumphs and tragedies and been best friends. She wants to travel. He wants to stay put. They’re miles apart. Time is not a friend as it tiptoes day by day toward eternity.
They seem beautifully compatible in tons of ways. On paper, their hearts intersect with love’s endorphins. They talk about what if and wonder if they’re meant to be as one.
They have their own ways. He shops twice a week. She shops when the cat needs food and the shampoo is gone. He cooks in the micro. She has pots and pans.
He is vigilant and careful. She has no fears. He is a gentleman. Children and pets adore him. They think she’s kind of cool as well. They’re both fresh and clean and have their teeth. They are very good drivers.
Just before it rains, barometric joints may ache, and one or both will predict a downpour. They often recall healthy vigorous times back when, and can’t believe how fast it went or why they didn’t meet at some point when it was all ahead, and not behind.
He loves his kids. She loves hers. There are no grandchildren. They chat and report on the mundane and agree about most things, but not all. Nowhere has become the only place to settle down.
Both have a great sense of humor; they’re funny folks. He makes her laugh. She cracks him up.
She wants to live alone. She wants to be with him. He likes his easy rut and doesn’t want to move but wishes they were already yoked and working as a team.
The bridge they’ve built seems strong, but does it sway a bit? Wisdom whispers there’s an unnamed Spiritual disconnect in some key spots; a stubborn elephant who will not leave the room.
They do not say they notice.
He’s a precious dear. She’s a darling sweetheart. They’re very cute. But, are they blind?
Dear Lord, help them know the truth, hear the plan, get unstuck.
What if they marry?
What if they don’t?
_____
*Based on the lives of friends I know.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
Every time I read your story, I find something new to think about. I think this story can used to consider relationships outside of marriage.