A New Lease on Life

Some years ago, I was down in the dumps because I found out that my girlfriend, Rachel was cheating on me. I was hurt and livid. After I tore into her, I left her flat and drove for how long, I don’t remember. I was tempted to go to a bar and get plastered but I didn’t. I went home and got drunk there.

For weeks, I was in a terrible state. I didn’t want to see or talk to anyone. My friends tried to cheer me up but they failed miserably. My sister, Oksana encouraged me to get on with my life. “Obviously, Rachel wasn’t the right woman for you. Forget about her.”

I know Oksana meant well but I had resigned myself to the idea that I would never get over Rachel. Then, one night, as I stood looking out the window, watching as the moon illuminated the dismally dark path, in the stillness, I heard, “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope”. Those words filled me with such peace and I realized then, that whatever plans God had for me, they didn’t include Rachel. That’s when, I purposed in my mind and heart to move on with my life. Rachel was the past and God had a good future planned for me.

I discovered what God’s plan for me was one evening when I dropped by Oksana’s house. She and her husband, Nathanael weren’t home but their children were. It was their baby-sitter who answered the door. When I saw her, I was momentarily at a loss for words. She was very pretty with a lovely smile. “Hello,” I said, when I recovered. “I’m Mrs. Fraser’s brother.”

“Yes. You’re uncle Yakov. The kids talk about you a lot. You’re their favorite uncle.”

“I’m their only uncle.”

She laughed and stepped aside for me to go in. “They’re in the living-room, watching TV. In twenty minutes, I will be putting them to bed.”

After I removed my shoes and socks, I followed her into the living-room. As soon as they saw me, they jumped up from the sofa and floor and ran over to me, almost knocking me over in their enthusiasm. They bombarded me with all sorts of questions and stories. “In English,” I told them. “Speak in English.”

“They’ve been teaching me some basic Ukrainian,” the babysitter told me. “Like Zdravstvuyte Dyakuyu, do pobachennya, vybachte and budʹ laska.”

“Wow. That’s very impressive.”

She smiled. “Thank you. Kids, finish watching your show and then, it’s time for bed.” They scurried back over to the television.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“Andria.”

“Are you in university?”

“Yes. I’m in my last year in Cambridge.”

“What are you studying?”

“Mathematics.”

To say that I was impressed would be an understatement. “Good for you. There are so few Women Mathematicians.”

“Yes, there are.”

We talked about other things until it was time for the kids to go to bed. They wanted me to put them to bed which I must admit, I enjoyed doing. While I was reading to Nichola, the elder of the two girls, I smiled as tiny footsteps tiptoed to the door. It was her sister, Susanna. I had already read to her and I left her tucked in bed. After I kissed her sister goodbye, I walked to the door and heard the footsteps scurry away. I went to Susanna and she was lying in bed, with the covers pulled up to her chin. I went over to her as she lay there, pretending to be fast asleep. I leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.

Andria was sitting on the sofa flipping through a magazine which she closed and set aside when I joined her. The television was off. I sat on the sofa beside her and we talked until Oksana and Nathanael came home. They were very happy to see me and persuaded me to stay for a while longer and then, it was time for me to leave. I offered to give Andria a lift home which she readily accepted. We left after I promised Oksana that I would have dinner with the family the following Sunday evening.

On the ride to the flat where she lived with her older sister and her family, we got to know more about each other. When we were sitting outside of the bungalow, I asked her to have dinner with me on Saturday. She accepted. I walked her to the door and we said goodbye there on the porch. I drove away, feeling good and looking forward to seeing her again.

That dinner led to other dinners and dates and now it has been four years since we met and have been in a relationship. I was there when she graduated from Cambridge and I treated her to an impromptu trip to Paris where we spent ten incredible days. We were standing under the Eiffel Tower when we declared our love for each other.

I’m waiting here now for her to meet me. This morning, I called her and told her that I needed to see her and where I would be. We arranged to meet after we both got off from work. I lean against my vintage car, anxiously waiting.

My heart leaps into my chest when I see her walking towards me. I straighten up and shove my hands deep into my pockets, trying to appear nonchalant. With the sun behind her, she looks like a beautiful angel coming towards me.

When she reaches me, we exchange greetings and then, I take her in my arms and we kiss. “Have you been waiting long?” she asks.

“No.”

“Good. I tried to get here as soon as I could but the traffic was heavy.”

“That’s all right. The important thing is that you’re here.”

“Why did you want us to meet here instead of at your place?”

“It’s a special place for me. I come here often because it’s quiet and to watch the sun as it set.”

“I’ve never been here before but you’re right. It is peaceful.”

“And it’s the perfect place for what I would like to do.”

She stares at me. “What would you like to do?”

I get down on my knee and taking both of her hands in mine, I ask her to marry me. For a few minutes, she stands there staring at me, stunned and then, she nods, laughing. Thankfully, I get to my feet and holding her beautiful face between my hands, I kiss her. This is what God had planned for me all along–this incredibly lovely young woman to be my future–my lifelong partner.

Sources: Bible Gateway; The Atlantic