The first time I met him, he was standing near the church entrance greeting people. He must have recognized me as a newcomer because within minutes, he was telling me his life story.
“Hi, I’m Jimmie and I just got out of prison.”
As an introvert, I listened quietly and walked away a bit bewildered. When I drove home that evening I couldn’t help but think about him. He was a happy, lively and carefree guy, and you would have never guessed that he had spent years in the state penitentiary.
It has to be the grace of God, I thought to myself. And in my heart, I prayed that he would make it. Having participated in a letter-writing prison ministry, I knew the odds of him making it in society were slim.
I soon found out that nearly everyone in the 800+ member church knew Jimmie or about him. Once at a church picnic, I saw him playing in the field with some guys. Off to one side, three boys huddled and one of them pointed at Jimmie’s legs, which were completely scarred. Soon they were laughing.
Jimmie also noticed and he came over to them and knelt on one leg. I could imagine him telling them how when he was a young boy, his older brother had kicked a can of burning gasoline on him … that there was no love in his home, only fighting and hatred.
The boys listened and soon all were playing again. Instead of being a freak to make fun of, Mr. Jimmie had become a friend.
Surprisingly to me, Jimmie did make it. And over the five years we served at church we became friends – but I kept him at a safe distance.
My best friend, who went to a different church, came to visit once and told me with lips upturned that he looked at me differently. Even if she had been right, not once did he ask me out. And I could understand why.
Aside from our love for God, we had little in common. At the time, I was working on Capitol Hill, living in a studio condo and driving a brand-new sports car. And rather than show any of my scars, mine were kept well hidden in my heart.
By the time my 30th birthday rolled around, I had given up on my dream of getting married and having children of my own. My prayers for a godly husband had gone unanswered. I’d grieved the loss and had several sessions with God, where I let him know how angry and disappointed I was.
Peace finally came when I accepted that perhaps for me, God had a different plan and that I could trust Him whether that plan included a husband or not. And I decided to make most of my life as a single woman.
Later that year, I organized a small group of single adults from our church to go on a short-term mission trip to central Europe. The trip fulfilled two life-long dreams I had – working with orphan children and going to Europe.
Not once did it occur to me then that I would end up permanently living there and that God who is faithful in all ways — the one who makes all things beautiful in His time — would bring my husband and give me three amazing children.
Two years after that first trip, I quit my job, sold the sports car and moved to a quaint, picturesque town in the Czech Republic as a single missionary.
Forty days after my move, Jimmie showed up with a refurbished laptop that a friend had sent for me. He said he heard God’s call to be a laborer in the mission field. It just happened to be through the same mission agency and in the same country where I was!
On a starry fall evening, 30 days after his arrival, he asked if I would like to go for a boat ride there at the lake next to the mission base. I said yes.
Thirteen years ago on a rainy May day, I walked down the aisle looking at him and he at me and tears of joy filled our eyes.
And I would do it again.
A beautiful story! Made me want to hear more. I always love hearing how couples met. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, how beautiful & “just like God” when you “let go & let God”! A similar story when I met Dave. Teachers, friends, (even my uncle), told me Dave would “never amount to anything)…do not marry him. He was in love with His Lord at a young age but barely graduated from HS. He determined he would marry the first Christian girl that God sent. I fell in love with this God fearing man, trusted God to supply our needs and the rest is history. Our favorite thing to do is support the Kingdom ministry and we are so blessed & grateful to be generous to Him….a small token to give back what He so generously gave to us. Our children are now following our example & are able to be very generous to the Kingdom. God’s continued blessings to you both & your beautiful family.
Thanks Dottie! You and Dave have been a blessing in our lives … Jimmie considers Dave one of the spiritual fathers God sent him. 🙂
Awesome!!!! I remember the time were were in the country and us helping you guys get together and I was happy to find out that you were on a boat ride together. By the time we went the second time, you had already benn married and were getting started in the new chapter in your life. God is good.
Wow, that is an amazing story Hulda. Thanks for opening up and sharing.
Thanks Charity! Look forward to reading your story. 🙂
Hulda, I love your story. I shared it with my 16 and 20 year old daughters. Thank you. And I love your quiet tenacity for God and all he has called you to.
Thanks Rachael! What an honor. Bless you. 🙂
What a precious love story! It would be beautiful even if you weren’t a great storyteller. After all, it was written by the Author and Finisher of our faith! God will bless your children for both of your waitings on Him! 😀
Thank you for the encouragement, Rebekah!