Meet the Parents

I had spoken to her mother several times and had met her dad once. Her mother seemed anxious to meet me. I decided to go ahead and accept her inviting before she changed her mind. Her mother had a tendency to change her mind. I was pretty nervous, not sure what to expect, and almost felt like calling the whole thing off. But I went and got some flowers and a Carrot cake, and my girl and I were at the front door. We walked in and had a moment before her mother came. I was kicking my shoes off and her mother came and was smiling. I respectfully greeted her and then I gave her the cake and the flowers and she said that I didn't have to do that. We went into the kitchen and in the attached dining area, I guess they might call it a "breakfast nook," we talked for awhile. Her dad, who I saw as I came in, sat down as well. Then they started talking about their problems with me and my parents and my girl. Things got a little heated, but in all that they said, they mentioned that the fact I was there in their house, said something about them and their intentions.

The lunch was really good. I was disappointed that she didn't prepare it fresh, it was from the day before when they had a party. And also she didn't let her daughter serve me. I don't know if it was a statement, or if it was not a big deal. So I ate a lot and she kept telling me to get more and now and then she would bring a dessert or make a comment. She said her daughter would be a good lawyer, if she chose to go to Law School. I joked that if her daughter could convince the mother that I was the right husband for her, then I would be agree. Her mom laughed. I was a little relieved.

We then went into the family room, I brought out my guitar and my camera. I sang a few songs, I started with "Wild World" by Cat Stevens. It went ok...I messed up a little, no one noticed and I cut it short intentionally. Her dad knew the song. So I was happy about that. The whole time I sang, he didn't pay any attention on the outside, he was reading something. Her mom's eyes were shining and she was impressed. I was pleased about that. She was the tough person to crack, and if I could win her heart, it would go a long way. Then I sang a few other songs, her mom was watching the guitar and seeing how I was playing. I did ok...I sang the "Wedding Song" by Noel Paul Stookey; the beatles, "I've just seen a face"; and by request of her mom, a Neil Diamond song, "Sweet Caroline." Also my girl sang the song from a distance and I accompanied her on the guitar, and we both sang the song "Thy Word" by Amy Grant. Of course, we had to leave out the word "Jesus!" I then ended it with "Stairway to Heaven." It was fun and I was relaxed. Oh yeah, I sang a Hindi song, well part of one, called "Churalia" which means "thief" in Hindi. I guess the thief stole someone's heart. I actually think that happened on that Sunday. Because after that, my girl was totally falling in love with me. I Was soo happy.

Later we went to Starbucks and after getting over my initial panic at being in a public place, we sat and talked for some time. IT was just wonderful to sit there. I love starbucks now. I mean ambiance IS important. It really is.

On our way out we met two people. One of them went to her seminary and the other was a friend. We found out that her friend, who lived in the area, had a boyfriend that lives about 20 minutes from my house. So two girls in one place had two boyfriends who lived in another place. And all are born-again Christians. I found that to be very interesting. Anyhow, we talked for some time and shared about how our parents were and how her pastor had brought down her name in front of my parents. They were completely sympathetic. I had a really nice time talking with all of them. They were unashamedly talking about God and the Bible, in a cool real way. I felt God's presence, especially after I left the place. There is something about His Name. There truly is power in the name of Jesus.

One thing left to be said is the major topic of conversation between her parents and I at the table when we sat down. They said they do not want their daughter to be a missionary. And if she did they would not want her to be their daughter any more. They also wanted their daughter to do a Master's degree. They didn't want her to be in the seminary. Finally, they wanted me to finish my exams and be able to support their daughter before we got married. This is the thing that really got my parents upset. I guess they couldn't handle it. It is interesting, because my parents have been calling her parents quite frequently. And what they said was that she should not be in the seminary and living alone, but that she should move back home and then do her Master's degree. Yet my parents wrote her a letter telling her that she should break up with me. And in the letter they said she was to be a missionary and I was not, so we should break up. I see a huge contradiction here. How can my parents say these things without talking to the Dean of her seminary. Without knowing what is going on between their son and this girl. How can they do this? I am puzzled, but I have hope. I feel that peace of God. I know that perhaps I make mistakes in handling things, but in the end, no one knows her, myself and my parents as well as God. And for that matter, I guess I am the only one who knows all three really well! Why can't they listen to me. They say I have changed and I am in love and can't think for myself and that I am brainwashed. How ridiculous. At least her parents can see (I hope) that I am a rational logical human being. Anyhow, I will avoid the home for now, and stay in the library. And I will be talking to some of the pastors in the Church right now, let us see what happens...

Going to London

I told my parents not to mention her until my exam is over. They agreed. Until Yesterday. Then they brought up this whole thing again and it turned into an argument. They simply can't keep their thoughts together. I have no idea why they are against it. I have a feeling they don't either. I only know that they want me to go to London and meet some other girl. Am I supposed to honor my parents and do that. Is that fair to the other girl? What have they told them thus far? I just can't believe this.

I can't study, now I am thinking about this London trip and whether I should go or not. I actually was looking forward to it. Because I thought it was a vacation. Now, I am kind of stunned. How can they do this to me? Is this fair? They are treating me as a slave. As if I have no say. I am really distraught and upset.

Deuteronomy 3

Today she told me about the message she heard on Sunday:

The word "fear not" appears 365 times in the Bible...the words "fear not" are the most frequent command in the Bible, more than "love one another" and "be holy."

This shows me that God is concerned about our needs. For us to be holy, and to love is what He desires, but He also has compassion on us and that is why He is a loving God, and cares for us. He doesn't want us to fear. In today's reading, it says not to fear twice.

"Do not fear him, for I have delivered him and all his people and his land into your hand (v. 2)"

"Then I commanded you at that time, saying, 'The LORD your God has given you this land to possess it (v. 18)"

"Do not fear them, for the LORD your God is the one fighting for you.' (v. 22)"

"'Go up to the top of Pisgah and lift up your eyes to the west and north and south and east, and see it with your eyes, for you shall not cross over this Jordan. (v. 27)"

The other things that struck me are that He has things for us. In this chapter He gave land to His people. He also showed what was in store, by showing Moses (?) from the top of Mount Pisgah what was going to belong to the people of the Lord. God is a God of encouragement. He shows us and reveals things to us. I hope this will be true in our lives and our relationship. Yet he showed to Moses what was going to belong to His people, but it was not for Moses. I can't imagine the frustration Moses must have felt. After being faithful for more than 40 years and being the leader and leading his people right up to the promised land--he was not allowed. Why was he not allowed?

"But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them." (Numbers 20:12)

Because of unbelief. Contributing to this was the fact that the Israelites were complaining and that must have upset Moses. And that may have caused him to disobey. God asked him to speak to the rock yet Moses hit it with a rod. But the water did flow out. So the other lesson is that God can work through us for His glory even when we complain and are disobedient. But the caveat is that we still have to be held responsible for our actions. And also, we will have to face the consequence of our actions. What wonderful relevant lessons from an account that is thousands of years old. It is still relevant!