Next thing I knew,
Scott and I were dancing to the next slow song.
My heart was racing and I didn’t know what to say. Of course I had had a crush on him for two
years, but never said anything to him.
Jeff knew my feelings as he was a mutual friend, but Scott? Nooo! He
was “too far above me.” And now I was going
with him? The night was perfect!
Then, he kissed
me. Not being used to long kisses, I
wasn’t sure if I was supposed to kiss his top lip or lower lip or both together
or…? I kept trying to follow his mouth,
but it was worse than awkward. Then I
felt…was that his tongue?! I squealed and pulled back, but he held me
tight, yet tenderly, and I melted into his arms. My hands felt the muscles of his hockey-honed
back, my bare legs under my skirt brushed against pants. I felt heat in my chest that extended to my
elbows and up my neck, rushed into my ears and made them burn.
“Why don’t you
kids come up for air??” It was the most
rude, loud, embarrassing, AWFUL moment of my LIFE! I jumped away and thanked God the teacher
hadn’t been one of mine. I was ashamed
and wanted to hide. Like a gentleman,
Scott drew me back into a less intimate embrace and we finished the song with
bashful smiles.
I floated home and
kept hoping he would call me that weekend.
He didn’t. On Monday, he passed
me a note saying it had all been a big mistake and he felt terrible, but he had
been in a fight with his girlfriend and they wanted to get back together, and
he hoped I wouldn't be too hurt.
Dreams dashed, I
tried to be understanding and returned him a gushing letter, complete with my
extension of friendship. I think I was
still rosy from my first steamy kiss!
His easy, jovial
manner made the just-friends transition tolerable and instead of admiring him
from afar, I got to know him a little as a person. Still, he was my favorite object of
flirtation and could completely wilt me with a brown-eyed glance.
Although together
in a few classes, we moved in different circles and rarely saw each other
socially. I was maturing and becoming
comfortable with the young woman I was, but didn’t trust my heart around
him. It still skipped on occasion.
Senior year came
with all its college applications, part-time jobs, sports, and numerous church
activities. I was happy and busy and mapping
out my future…until my world caved in.
I sat in my
minister’s office, shivering from the cold.
It had been 60 degrees just a few days before, and that day, it
snowed. The organ was playing a dark
prelude and soon I would have to go in and attend my mother’s funeral. I didn’t have the heart to greet anyone, so was waiting in this quiet place.
Finally, the time
was long and I had to make my way through the lobby. I looked up to see a latecomer enter the
church.
“Scott!” I said in complete surprise. “What are you doing here?”
“What are friends
for?” he said solidly, and gave me a long hug.
No teasing, no
flirting, no kidding around. He was a
man intentionally being there for me.
It shocked and thrilled me and I respected him completely. This act of kindness meant more than a
thousand kisses and at that moment, I realized I loved him dearly as "just" a friend.
~~~~~Pondering Points
Proverbs
17:17
A
friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.Proverbs 18:24
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Colossians 3:12-14
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
Romans 5:10
For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.
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