The Moral of the Story -- Cindy Trane Christeson

‘He loves each one of us, as if there were only one of us.’

-- St. Augustine

“Guess what, Daddy? Guess what?” said a cute little voice behind me in

the coffee line at church. “God loves everybody. We talked about it today

and I colored a picture about it.”

“You’re right honey, God does love everybody,” a deep voice replied.

“Guess what else?” the little girl said.

“I give up, sweetheart, what else?” the man answered.

“God loves you and God loves me,” the little girl said, practically

singing. “And I love God, too. I’m going to make God a Valentine’s card.

Oh, there’s Mommy with my doughnut. Can you please hold my picture? I’m

going to go see Mommy.”

Before the father even answered, the little girl darted off, but while

she was running she yelled, “And I love you, too, Daddy, I’m going to

make you a Valentine’s picture, too!”

I poured myself a cup of coffee, and as I turned to leave, I smiled at

the father and said, “I couldn’t help but overhear your daughter. What a

precious little girl.”

“Thanks, she is precious,” the proud father said. “She’s sure taught

me a lot about love, and God.”

“Children are great at that,” I said. “Happy early Valentine’s Day.”

“Oh, thanks,” the man said, a bit surprised. “And to you, too.”

As I walked over to greet some friends, a young couple walked by

holding hands. “Isn’t love great?” a friend of mine said.

She and I stood and talked about the love story that has been going on

in our family. The story has actually been unfolding for many years. The

two main characters are a fine young man named Ryan and our oldest

daughter, Kelly. They actually went to the same elementary school, but

the three-year age difference between the two kept them in two different

worlds.

When Kelly started the same high school and church group, there was

the first hint of a budding romance, but again the difference in ages and

stages was a big deterrent.

Over the past eight years, the chapters of Kelly’s and Ryan’s lives

have intersected periodically, and there was obviously something special

there. Many people besides the two have prayed for God’s guidance about

their future.

This summer, God made it clear that he meant for the two of them to be

together, and, two days before Christmas, Ryan proposed to Kelly in a way

that many people have called “story book.”

When I called Ryan’s parents to share congratulations about the good

news, Ryan’s father, Rich said, “This is clearly a match made in heaven.”

My husband and I agreed.

I’m not sure what your plans for Valentine’s Day are, or if there is

even a special someone in your life. But I do know that the story of

God’s love for you began more than many years ago. I also know that in a

way that only God can do, God wants to write a special story of his love

for you, your story of a match made in heaven. All you have to do is ask.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at o7

cindy@onthegrow.comf7 or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.