Faith, Renewed

Dear Whoever You Are,
Yesterday a guy that I've known for many years got engaged.  

Our paths often crossed... at college, in the workplace, on social media... and I was consistently befuddled as to why some lucky girl hadn't snatched him up.  He's a great guy: funny, positive and an amazing friend to everyone.  He has a big heart, too.  He puts on an annual dinner/ fundraiser from which the proceeds go to a variety of worthy causes (one of which has been something close to my heart).

Not so long ago, he began a relationship with a woman who I understand he had been friends with for some time.  That friendship evolved over time into something far more and very beautiful.  He held out for his perfect match, and what's more, he proved that what these messages to you have been about is a very real thing and is, indeed, possible.

Their engagement gave me a renewal of faith that you're out there and we'll meet when we should (according to some people, that day is right around the corner *cough* Rachel *cough*).

In any case, congratulations are due to Mike and Tracey on their engagement... as well as my thanks.

I Am Being Stalked By a Song

Dear Whoever You Are,

For some unfathomable reason, this song popped into my head a couple weeks ago.  While fairly popular it wasn’t a huge hit; nor did it It have any special resonance in my life.  The very next day I was on my way home from work and heard it on the radio.  

Hmmm… interesting coincidence.

So the other day I was on my way home from work yet again and there’s that song yet again.  I figured the radio programming gods, in their infinite wisdom, had dredged it out of the circa 2001 archives and put it back into rotation.  

The next song annoyed me (“Blurred Lines”... ugh) so I changed the station.  I crossed the bridge into Illinois and made my way through Rock Island to pick up my boys for our usual Wednesday dinner.  They get in my car and guess what... there’s that song again, this time on the other station.  Weird.  I swear, I am being stalked by this song.

Put aside for a moment the likelihood that I’ve just experienced a statistical anomaly of some sort and/ or the fact that “Wherever You Will Go” has merely been put back into pop radio rotation for a period of time.  Imagine that is this an instance of God or the universe trying to send me some sort of message.  If so, what would the message be?  The song, while very romantic and all, is in large part about a lost love.  I don’t see that as being a huge issue for me (no offense ex-girlfriends, but we’re all good).  So what would the message be then? Maybe you and I have already met at some point.  Maybe I’ve seen you somewhere and missed the chance to talk to you (were you the young lady I saw at Goodwill some months back?).  Maybe you’ve seen me and missed the chance to talk to me.  Maybe…

In the end, does any of that really matter?  

What ultimately matters right now is that I live my life as fully as I can and do the best I can by my boys.  I know you’re doing the best you can and doing right by you and yours.  I know that you’ll be a huge positive in my life and a great companion on my journey (which is exactly the subject of my next sermon).

And I trust that wherever you will go, it will eventually lead you to me.

Let's Show Them How It's Done

Dear Whoever You Are,

I hope I get to meet you soon.

Not just for my selfish reasons:

I wonder who you are.

I wonder what you’re like.

I wonder about your smile.

I wonder what it will be like to hold you.

I wonder what song will never fail to make me think of you.

All that good stuff.

What’s on my mind tonight, what weighs heavily on me right now is that people are growing cynical. That just doesn't sit well with with me.

You and I, we’ll be able to show our friends that one doesn't have to be cynical and give up on love.  We’re going to show them that two people can do right by each other, no matter what.  We’re going to prove that hearts aren't made to be broken… they’re made to love and hope and dream. We’re going to tell a tale that will never be forgotten.

We’re going to show them how it’s done. And I can't wait.

Faith

Dear Whoever You Are,

Faith noun: 1. confidence or trust in a person or thing: 2. belief that is not based on proof

This blog is an exercise in pure, blind faith.

Do I know for sure that I will ever meet you?   Even then, will we be able to make it work?  Will you break my heart or will I break yours?  Can we work through the inevitable speed bumps and obstacles?

Damned if I know, but blind faith beats the alternative: not trying and never knowing.

It would be easy for me to be cynical and give up.  I’ve recently been stood up, treated rudely and lied to.  Not so long before that, I had to spend some time recovering from a romantic misadventure (I imagine you’ve been there too).

In the end, I flat-out refuse to be cynical.  I know too many people who persist in stewing in their hurts and disappointments.  That’s not for me, and I hope not for you either.  Really, what’s the point?  Cynicism gets you nowhere.

The nice thing about faith is that it eventually becomes certainty.  This certainty provides one with the strength to persist even when the odds are not in your favor.  I have little doubt that I will meet you, just as I believe we’ll be able to work together to create something amazing.

The other piece of this puzzle is courage.  I’ll see you somewhere and want to approach you.  I’ll need to must muster up that “twenty seconds of insane courage” (re: my previous letter) and start a conversation. Later on I’ll have to show some courage to tell you how I really feel, even if I’m unsure where you stand.  

In any case, I will continue to have faith...

Faith that you’re out there.

Faith that you’re worth waiting for.

Faith that I’m worth it.

Faith that you’ll be willing to work for something amazing.

I hope that when the time comes you’ll have some faith too...  

In yourself.

In me.

And yes, some faith in you and me.  

So I have this friend.  She has a big heart, but unfortunately I think that heart is a little heavy of late.  She’s grown cynical.  Not that I blame her… like me, she’s been lied to and stood up.  She’s had her patience tried and tested.  Please don’t give up, my friend.  I promise you, there’s a guy out there who can’t wait to meet you.  Have faith. Your day will come, if for no other reason than you deserve it.  When that guy approaches you who’s maybe a little awkward, who stumbles over his words and isn’t quite sure what to say next… give him a chance.  He may just be that guy.