The Gentleman’s Plan

As I sat quietly, this gentleman began to unfold a plan for “our” lives. It was very obvious that he had put a great deal of thought and prayer into this plan. He was very humble in his attitude and expectations. He spoke for 20 or 30 minutes…and it was a lovely plan….a fairy tale plan…but not the plan for me.

My mind kept going to several differences in our lives that were insurmountable to me. I prayed as I listened. I needed Abba to give me the words to say to let this gentleman down lightly and to firmly establish that this was not possible.

When he was finished, I took a deep breath and began. “You’re a very nice man, but I have no feelings for you. There are also several areas of incompatibility that I know would prevent us from ever developing those feelings or a relationship”. I shared four specific areas. Of those, the most important issue I saw was a theological difference. I was on the blunt side…I did not want to give this nice southern gentleman any false hope.

The gentleman was quiet for a moment. Then he asked me a question. “Would you be willing to show me, using the Scriptures, where you think I am in error?”

I agreed to do this as long as he understood that we would not be pursuing anything personal.  He agreed that we would only be studying the word together in this particular area.

We decided to meet at my farm after church the next weekend so I didn’t have to cart all of my study books to another location.  I also knew my son would be here for propriety’s sake.

The gentleman showed up the next weekend and we began. I had done my homework and began to go through the scriptures with him. We spent about 3 hours together and I think he was surprised at some of what I shared. He asked well thought out questions…I could sense that he was a man searching for the truth.

At the close of the afternoon, he asked if we could continue another time and I agreed. He seemed a little down when he left…sometimes that happens when we think we have the truth and are confronted with the reality of the Scriptures.  I know…it happened to me 6 years ago.

He left with his usual “Thank you ma’am”….