For the past year I've been in a courtship with an amazing guy. He has a wonderful sense of humor and constantly has me laughing. He opens doors for me, takes me dancing, tells me I'm beautiful, helps me with my college homework, and gives me a shoulder to cry on. He's handsome, charming, and just amazing. Can you tell I'm smitten?
On top of all that, he's a faithful Catholic, totally in line with the Church on all its teachings, from birth control to the Sunday Mass obligation.
It would be so, so easy to look at him and think smugly that I had this coming to me. It would be easy to think that this wonderful man is in my life because I had high standards and determined not to get romantically involved with a non-Catholic or one who didn't follow Church teachings.
But something about being in a good relationship makes you take a good look at yourself, and clearly recognize faults and failings you didn't even realize you had. Being on such intimate terms with someone shows you how your actions affect others. It's a humbling experience, and suddenly the easy thoughts aren't so easy anymore.
Suddenly it's easier to think: Maybe I have this wonderful man in my life because God knew I needed things a little easier. Maybe my relationship is with a devout Catholic guy not because I was strong enough to wait, but because it was the only opportunity God gave me. Maybe it wasn't me that kept the other guys away, but God, because He knew I wouldn't be strong enough to say no. May He was merciful.
The way things I have worked out, I have no way of knowing if I could have held out for that strong Catholic man. All I know is this: God was good enough not to put me to the test. He knew what I needed, and what I couldn't handle. He is merciful.
But something about being in a good relationship makes you take a good look at yourself, and clearly recognize faults and failings you didn't even realize you had. Being on such intimate terms with someone shows you how your actions affect others. It's a humbling experience, and suddenly the easy thoughts aren't so easy anymore.
Suddenly it's easier to think: Maybe I have this wonderful man in my life because God knew I needed things a little easier. Maybe my relationship is with a devout Catholic guy not because I was strong enough to wait, but because it was the only opportunity God gave me. Maybe it wasn't me that kept the other guys away, but God, because He knew I wouldn't be strong enough to say no. May He was merciful.
The way things I have worked out, I have no way of knowing if I could have held out for that strong Catholic man. All I know is this: God was good enough not to put me to the test. He knew what I needed, and what I couldn't handle. He is merciful.
Aww- how perfect! <3 I am waiting for the Lord to send a man my way. ^_^ One of my close friends just got married saturday(I blogged about it too!) and I cried. They are so Christ-centered... it changed my views on marriage. So beautiful, and when Christ is the center of a relaitonship, what can be wrong about it?
ReplyDeleteOh, and me too girl...I can't even think about liking a non christ-lover... we have to be equally yolked as Good ol' LUKE put it :)hope you can stop by my bloggie too.
God bless always!
christine
www.beyoutifulhope.blogspot.com
A beautiful sharing! Thank you for opening up with so much honesty. May the good Lord and our Blessed Mother continue to guide the both of you and may you grow in strength with chastity and purity each day. May your friendship and relationship always gaze upwards with thanksgiving to the Lord for His mercy and love for you both-- and may you always lead one another to holiness :)
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to hear what's been spinning around in my head for so long. I am only in my senior year of highschool, so I have not found that special man yet, but there have been others who were a bit "below standard" that God took out of my life. At the time I didn't understand, I thought maybe I could roll with some of their failings, but God knew better. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting! God bless!
Elizabeth
Beautiful. He always knows what we need and when we need it! Love this post. May God bless you both!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful reflection, Clare. Thank you for sharing it!
ReplyDelete