Cupid is Asleep!

Have you ever been lonely in the midst of a crowd? That’s how I felt at times back in the days of being single in my forties. I was searching for companionship and a bit of romance. If you think dating is scary as a young teen, you ought to try it as an adult. The timing isn’t quite right. My girlfriend used to introduce me to gentlemen something like this, “This is my friend Patti. She has six kids and size ten feet!” And they would smile. I didn’t really want to know why they were smiling. At times I had the grace and etiquette of a three-legged gopher. Dates didn’t unfold as they did in the movies – or even at the movies.

One night I went to a movie with a male I was a bit interested in.  During the movie I contemplated getting up, climbing over and around others nearby to make the trip to the ladies' room and decided it was necessary.I excused myself and quickly walked for the nearest exit. I opened the door and let it shut behind me. There I stood outside the theatre – and I literally mean OUTSIDE! The door was locked behind me.

In all my glory, I walked around to the front door, walked inside and proceeded to convince the ticket takers why they should let me go into the theatre without a ticket in hand. “I’m not a hoodlum trying to sneak in for free! I just opened the wrong door on my way to the restroom! “I pleaded my case. I think it was the hair that convinced them to just believe my story and let me proceed. I walked into the theatre, found my date and slunk down beside him. Trying to be a sophisticated, smart woman in the dating world was hard. I had my doubts of my ability!

Fast forward to another time when I met a nice guy and decided it was time to allow him to pick me up at my place of residence. This took a special kind of trust to give out my home address. This was for my family’s protection. I never thought I had to think of the guy’s protection. When my date arrived at my door to pick me up, the door was opened by three very young boys anxious to be the first to greet this stranger. When my date walked just inside the door, my youngest son, four years old at the time, took one hard punch to my guest’s private area. What does one say in that situation? You pretend you didn’t see it and ignore the shocked grimace as your very new friend tries to stand straight up again and you say quite cheerfully, “Are you ready to dance?”

I prayed for a husband. I prayed for an answer. I prayed that He would hear my prayer. I prayed for wisdom. And I waited….. And He answered! His answer was amazing! My husband of long ago and father of those beautiful boys was brought back to me through Jesus Christ.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5