To Grace,
How are you doing? It seems like you’ve grown up a lot. You
got prettier. You got taller. But I’m glad you stayed just the way you are. I
wanted to tell you a story, but right now, you wouldn’t understand it. But when
you will be able to read this on your 25th birthday, I know you’ll
understand. So the story goes like this.
There was a girl. She goes to church every Saturday and
Sunday, and goes to work on the weekdays. She’s motivated, intelligent, and
strong and God-fearing. She knew she needed no one, or rather a significant
other, just to make her feel less lonely because she already knew that God is
more than enough. She wasn’t even asking God for a man to come into her life
and be with her forever. She just want to work hard and give God all her life.
She was 21 back then when she had her first job. She travels
from home to work every day for 2 hours but it doesn’t seem long enough for
her. As she was walking on the hallway, thinking about life, she met a guy. He
is ‘not’ attractive. But that’s not the deal. He says ‘hi’ to her. She says
‘hi’ back. She thought he was a student so she asked her to get into the
classroom for the exam will start. She didn’t realize that he was the teacher
to whom she will give the exam papers. “I’m sorry Sir. I didn’t know you’re…”
she says. “It’s okay Ma’am! I understand. You’re not the only one who thought
I’m a student. Let me get that Ma’am.” He says. “Oh. Yeah. Thank you sir! And
sorry again” she says. “Okay! God bless Ma’am!” he says. “Sir, are you…” then
he started the class.
She actually don’t even cared much about him. As months
passed by, they had a conversation where they accidentally talked about their
faith. She knew he was a follower of Christ. He knew she’s a woman who loves
Christ more than everything.
She discovered then that he is somewhat a little famous in
their workplace, even to students. Though a lot of girls are crazy over him, he
is just another guy she just met. But there was something special about him. It
was like God is prompting her to do something, but she don’t know what it is.
She dreamed of him every night. So every morning, she ended up praying for him
and whatever it is that God is prompting her to do. She knew that she have to
pray for him. So she did.
One day, they met in a bible study at work. And another day,
and more days have come that they get to see each other at the bible study. She
lead the singing of songs, he preach the gospel. Everyone would tease that
they’re a perfect match. So she keeps on praying and praying on what God has
for her to do and not to be carried away by what she is feeling.
After the bible study, he grabbed a chance to talk to her.
“Ma’am, umm.” He was supposed to ask if she’ll be going somewhere that night,
but he has lost courage. “Yes Sir?” she says. “Ummm. Can we … make the set list
for the singing of worship songs next week?” he says. “Yeah sure. I’ll send it
to you later” she says. “Umm. Can we do it while we’re eating, tonight? At the
restaurant?” he finally said. In shock, she refused. She said that she can’t go
home late tonight. He now thought that it was a bad start. So he asked God
about her and he just prayed for her day and night. So they continue being just
the way they are.
After a year, of praying and waiting and praying, he finally
gathered a lot of courage he needed to have. He’s been praying that one day, he
would tell her how he feel. He waited, patiently. And now, he’s ready. After
work, he went straight to her office but found nothing but a box full of her
stuff. It looks like she is leaving. She came and asked “What are you doing
here?” He don’t know what to feel. After three years of knowing this woman, he
still can’t speak to her straightforward. “Umm. Are you leaving? Why? Why
didn’t you tell me?” He grabbed her hand and begging her to tell him the truth.
“I’m going on a mission. It will be for a year only” He didn’t let go of her
hand. He’s finally telling her… “I’m gonna tell you something. I like you. I’ve
been praying for you. It feels like God has put you in my heart. I just want
you to know. You don’t have to like me back. I just want to tell you so the
thought of not telling this to you won’t be bothering me for a year” he says.
“For a year? She says. “Yeah. Because It feels like I can’t wait to tell you
this.” He says. She was feeling so much joy in her heart knowing that what she
was feeling was true. Little did she know that he was prayer for her too. It
was truly a God-given feeling. But she refuse to tell him how she feels. She
wanted to wait a little longer. “Thank you. I hope you’ll wait until I get back
from my mission. I’ll get going. Bye Sir. God bless!”
Even though it looks like he was dumped, or not, he still
didn’t lose hope. He waited, patiently and focus on being the right man. He
went on a mission too for a few months and went back home. He attended the
first bible study for the year at his workplace. He was filled with joy when he
saw her leading the singing of songs. It feels like he was only dreaming that
time. She smiled at her like she used to smile before. His heart was trembling
and he can still feel the way his heart beats like the way it beats when he
first saw her. After the bible study, she talked to him, “We’ll talk.” He don’t
know what it is all about. He just followed her until they arrived at the
restaurant they were supposed to eat long time ago. “How are you?” he asked.
She just smiled and ordered something. “So, we’re just gonna stare at each and…”
She then held his hands and asked “Can we pray? Together?” They prayed together
until they shed tears, and cried together as they let their hearts out in
prayer. He closed the prayer. “I was waiting for this time to happen. I hope
you waited too” she says. “I waited and still waiting for you. Whatever it is
that you have to say, I will listen. But I just want you to remember and
realize that I will still say the same words that I told you before.” He says.
“I’ve been praying for this a long, long time ago. It was like God prompted me
to pray, for you. I want you to know that I am praying for you and will still
do.” She says.
After that day, he started pursuing her. It was an answered
prayer that he had hope when she says that she’s praying for him too. He give
her ride to home. He take her to her favorite place. He would wait for her to
finish all office work (since she’s back at her work) and would make her a cup
of coffee even when she don’t want it. He would go on a simple mission with
her. It goes like this for like a year. They were 25 back then when he asked
the magic word, “Will you be my girlfriend?” she gladly said yes! Years had
passed and they are finally got married and went on their first mission
together in Indonesia. They both became full time missionary. Until one day,
they knew she have to stop for a while because she bears a little baby inside
of her. She then bore a wonderful girl and they named her Grace. He was so
happy to see her daughter’s beautiful face that’s why he wrote this letter to
her daughter.
Grace, you’re only 2 week old now while I’m writing this. My
heart is filled with joy when I saw your face and heard you cry. You are a gift
to me, to us. I want you to know how much I love your mom and how we started. I
hope you could be as patient as how patient we became. God will always give you
the best and you and your mom is the best for me. I love you Grace, with all my
heart. I hope our story will give you an example of how you should be choosing
the one you will love for the rest of your life.
With love,
Dad
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