Dear Future Self,
Perhaps you remember the time quite well.
Or perhaps you have forgotten and need a reminder.
During the time of your engagement with Kalyan, there were many unknowns. As the date of the wedding approached, you found yourself wondering more and more about life after the wedding - but especially how the two of you would survive financially. It's true, living in India is far cheaper than living in the United States, but when it comes to two people possibly serving in a place where there is no income at all, everything seems expensive! And then that eventual plane trip back to the States...where would that chunk of money ever come from?! Surely you remember the sleepless nights, the headaches that came from thinking too hard, and the pressure you put on your relationship as a result of your fears.
But then, do you remember that day you were bored at home and happened to see a link on Facebook for David's Bridal? "Why are they giving away $2500?" you thought to yourself. But within a couple minutes, you had entered your story into the "Share Your Love" contest, really not thinking much more about it.
It was a week later that it came to your thoughts again, and as you pulled it up you realized that the competition had already started three days before! But something in you decided to go for it anyway, thinking there might be some chance - if only you could get caught up on the votes. After sending out a message, you saw the votes slowly begin to trickle in.
And do you remember that wonderful fiancé of yours, who worked hard while you were sleeping, so you'd wake each morning to find 30, 40, even 50 votes more than the previous night?
Recall those feelings of nervousness and excitement as you entered into the Top 25, only to end the contest in 3rd place with 991 votes. 991 votes of people willing to show their support in this silly little contest you had entered yourselves into!
And then, (oh please don't forget!) that day you received the phone call from David's Bridal announcing that you had been selected as the grand prize winner! You couldn't believe it! And when you got to tell Kalyan that night (after first giving him quite a scare at your "We need to talk immediately" demands), remember the look on his face and how wonderfully excited he was. (He wanted so badly to share with his parents, but then realized he must first explain what Facebook was!) Can you recall those emotions that you shared across the ocean?
Do you still remember, Rebecca, though all other events and details might have already escaped you, that it was the goodness and creativity and fun spirit of your Heavenly Father that provided for your needs? In one moment everything seemed unknown and scary, and in the next, you saw how God had used your boredom, your world of Facebook friends, and a bridal company to greatly answer your financial fears for the future. He did it then, as He always will. Never, never, never are His children forsaken. Never are you left alone. Your God is unbelievably creative, and abundantly able. He wrote your story from the beginning, and He is writing it still.
Remember these things, Rebecca, and be thankful.
Perhaps you remember the time quite well.
Or perhaps you have forgotten and need a reminder.
During the time of your engagement with Kalyan, there were many unknowns. As the date of the wedding approached, you found yourself wondering more and more about life after the wedding - but especially how the two of you would survive financially. It's true, living in India is far cheaper than living in the United States, but when it comes to two people possibly serving in a place where there is no income at all, everything seems expensive! And then that eventual plane trip back to the States...where would that chunk of money ever come from?! Surely you remember the sleepless nights, the headaches that came from thinking too hard, and the pressure you put on your relationship as a result of your fears.
But then, do you remember that day you were bored at home and happened to see a link on Facebook for David's Bridal? "Why are they giving away $2500?" you thought to yourself. But within a couple minutes, you had entered your story into the "Share Your Love" contest, really not thinking much more about it.
It was a week later that it came to your thoughts again, and as you pulled it up you realized that the competition had already started three days before! But something in you decided to go for it anyway, thinking there might be some chance - if only you could get caught up on the votes. After sending out a message, you saw the votes slowly begin to trickle in.
And do you remember that wonderful fiancé of yours, who worked hard while you were sleeping, so you'd wake each morning to find 30, 40, even 50 votes more than the previous night?
Recall those feelings of nervousness and excitement as you entered into the Top 25, only to end the contest in 3rd place with 991 votes. 991 votes of people willing to show their support in this silly little contest you had entered yourselves into!
And then, (oh please don't forget!) that day you received the phone call from David's Bridal announcing that you had been selected as the grand prize winner! You couldn't believe it! And when you got to tell Kalyan that night (after first giving him quite a scare at your "We need to talk immediately" demands), remember the look on his face and how wonderfully excited he was. (He wanted so badly to share with his parents, but then realized he must first explain what Facebook was!) Can you recall those emotions that you shared across the ocean?
Do you still remember, Rebecca, though all other events and details might have already escaped you, that it was the goodness and creativity and fun spirit of your Heavenly Father that provided for your needs? In one moment everything seemed unknown and scary, and in the next, you saw how God had used your boredom, your world of Facebook friends, and a bridal company to greatly answer your financial fears for the future. He did it then, as He always will. Never, never, never are His children forsaken. Never are you left alone. Your God is unbelievably creative, and abundantly able. He wrote your story from the beginning, and He is writing it still.
Remember these things, Rebecca, and be thankful.
Sincerely,
You
