It was the dreaded phrase when I was younger. Dad and Mom would simply say, “We’re taking the scenic route.” To these young ears, what that meant was just that it would take longer to get where we were going. Of course, as I got older, I learned to appreciate some of the beauty that can only be seen on the scenic route.
The journey that my wife and I took more closely resembled the scenic route. But we certainly didn’t know that when we started down the road.
This is a brief glimpse into love’s scenic route. Maybe – just maybe – this will connect with where you’re at in your journey right now.
It all started in September 1993. She walked into the room, and she forever changed my life.
I was on Sara’s ‘brother floor’ in college. Their whole floor came to raid our floor, and we had a brief introduction. A couple of hours later, my roommate decided to give her a call. They chatted for a bit, and then I hopped on the phone. We talked, we laughed, and in mere moments I was intrigued by this gorgeous California girl who was born and raised in Liberia, Africa.
Over the next several months, we talked about our lives growing up. We shared photos with each other. We laughed together…a lot! And we took a whole bunch of trips to Taco Bell (I had a car, she didn’t, and it gave me an opportunity to spend more time with her).
Yup, I was soon in love, and she felt the same way. Later. Much later. I won’t get into all the details here, but suffice to say, this was part of the scenic route. We wound up being on the 9-year-plan from when we met to when we got married. There were many back-and-forths in the mix. I liked her but she was dating someone else. She liked me (I was oblivious) but I was dating someone else.
The dance continued as we dated…the first time. I had just graduated college, she had one year left, and I put all I was feeling out there. “Sara, I want to pursue a lifelong relationship with you.” And we did! For a year.
Then, the Lord called us different directions. And we followed where He led, even though it meant not being together. Yes, it was hard, but it was necessary. Over the next 3+ years, God was at work in each of our lives. We didn’t know it at the time, but He was refining me for Sara, and Sara for me. He brought us back together when the time was just right.
In February 2003, we got married in a small church on the Native American reservation I called home for many years. Sara chose the wedding location, saying, “This is going to be where we call home. Why would we get married anywhere else?”. It went from ‘my home’ to ‘our home’ in the blink of nine years and two “I do’s”.
Now, 23 years later, I can’t imagine our story any other way. Nor would I want it any other way! God surprised me with unspeakable joy in getting to know Sara in those nine years before we got married. And He has surprised me with even greater joy in each passing year.
So, why I am writing this post now? On this, our 23rd anniversary, I want to encourage anyone out there who is waiting on God for something. Anyone who is on the ‘scenic route’ but wanting to be in the ‘express lane’ to God’s plan. Every story is different, but a couple of things remain the same.
God is faithful. His plan is best. And His timing is perfect.
Don’t give up in the waiting. Trust Him. Talk to Him about all you are feeling and thinking. Draw close to Him. And as you find yourself more and more content in Jesus, believe that He will lead you to the plan He has for you. Sometimes you see amazing things on the scenic route that you’d never see anywhere else. Enjoy the journey!
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6
Love your story and love both of you! This is why Jesus continues to use you both…you wanted His way and not your way. You put Serving Him as more important than starting your lives together. He has blessed those choices!