My plan was foolproof. When the time came to ask Kristin to marry me, I would surprise her at the top of Mount Helena. The cool mountain air. The city and picturesque valley spread out below us. The mountain prominently dominates the city skyline, so she would never forget where and when I affirmed my love for her.
Visions about how magical this moment would be had swirled in my head for months. Calm and collected, I pictured myself grandly and eloquently declaring my everlasting love, joy and anticipation about our future lifetime together. No problem.
So up the mountain we went for a hike on what I decided would be The Day. She was almost totally oblivious. The closer we got to the top of the mountain, the harder the butterflies banged violently around in my stomach.
At the top, I got down into the rocks on one knee, and reached into the backpack for the ring. I looked up at her, popped open the ring box, summoned all my courage, and with deep, heart-felt conviction said …
… said …
… said …
“Ghklfh-phdwtfff lvsodifgib. . . gack!”
As I gagged and hacked, she snatched the ring out of my hands before I keeled over, jammed the ring on her finger, and said yes before I could do any more damage to my larynx.
Thank goodness she knew what my actions meant, even though I said nothing – nothing coherent anyway. But as Paul stated, “good deeds are obvious” (1 Timothy 5:25), meaning that no words are necessary when you are doing the right thing out of love.
So when we get stuck wondering about how best to serve Christ or to love our neighbors, “let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18). Our deeds and actions will tell people plenty, even if we don’t speak a word. Look no further than the wedding ring on my finger as proof.
How will your actions demonstrate your love for someone today?
Haha! Love that story! And the application!
Me too, for obvious reasons. Thanks, Kelly!
I’ve said: “Ghklfh-phdwtfff lvsodifgib. . . gack!” too, but I got punched, not married!
Maybe you’re running with the wrong crowd!
That is too funny! And how awesome that “the unexpected” didn’t ruin an awesome memorable day! Sometimes we get so wrapped up in what didn’t go right instead of looking at the other side. God is funny, too, how He just takes things out of our perfectly planned “hands”. Ha! Thanks for sharing. Too cute!!
Much appreciated, Deb! God must be laughing all the time at all the plans we make for ourselves, especially me. This is just one example!