Chapter 5: Decision

© Copyright 2009 by Rachel Rossano
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Anne watched Daniel as he studied his hands. Dinner had been wonderful, Italian bread, fettuccini alfredo, and a spinach salad. It was a perfect ending to a exhausting day. For hours, she had listened to him talk, his passion for the Lord’s work shining in his intense eyes and his hands gesturing to emphasize every detail. Yes, this was still the same man that she remembered from before.

Yet, now she knew him better. In their letters, they had grown closer than perhaps they would have grown if he had not left. Words written at moments of stress, contemplation, and confession opened a door into his soul that she probably would have missed otherwise. She had seen his world through his eyes and shared his struggles. Now, as she looked at him, momentarily silent, she tried to put words to the experience of that morning. It was harder to say than write.

“Anne.” He rotated his plate nervously.

“Yes?”

“I have something to ask you. It is something that the Lord has laid on my heart for months now. I…” He sighed deeply before lifting his gaze to her face. “I have struggled with how to say this. I have been praying for this moment and now that it is here, I wish I had written something down.”

“I am listening,” she told him softly.

He reached across the table, capturing her hand in his large one. “Anne, I believe that the Lord wants me to marry you.” He didn’t wait for her to answer, looking down as he rushed to explain. “I have been struggling with this decision for a long time. I have been called to a mission field, and I have always believed that whoever I married needed to be called to the same field. This isn’t something I feel can be rushed. I want you to be as certain about the Lord’s calling for your life as I am about mine. I…”

“I have been called,” she whispered. “At least that is what I think is happening.” She related her experience that morning. “I have always felt as through I have been waiting. I have still served, but it was as though there was another purpose still out there waiting for God’s timing. Does that seem strange to you?” She looked up to find Daniel watching her face with hope and wonder.

“No, that doesn’t seem strange at all.” He laughed. “And all this time I was worried about what I needed to say. The Lord had it all planned out.” He paused. “Though, you still haven’t answered my question.”

“I don’t believe you asked a question,” she pointed out.

Slipping out of his seat onto one knee, Daniel held her hand more tightly in both of his. “Anne, will you marry me. I cannot promise you riches or worldly goods, but I can promise you that I will try to love you with everything I do have.”

Anne’s hand trembled in his, but her voice was firm and clear when she answered. “Yes.”




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