THE
WORD HE LONGED TO HEAR

Topics: Accepting Christ; Invitation; Marriage; Romance; Salvation

References: John 1:12; Ephesians 5:31–32

Tedd was five years older than Janet, finished college before her, and was working in a city hundreds of miles from her. They always seemed to be at different places in their lives. But they had been dating for seven years.

Every Valentine’s Day Tedd would propose marriage, and Janet would say, “No, not yet.”

Finally, when they were both living in Dallas, Tedd reached the end of his patience. He bought a ring, took Janet to a romantic restaurant, and prepared to give her the diamond. Another no would mean he would get on with his life without her.

After salad, entree, and dessert, Tedd was ready. But realizing Janet had a gift for him, he asked, “What did you bring me?” She handed him a box the size of a book. He opened the package and slowly peeled away the tissue paper. It was a cross-stitch Janet had made that simply said, “Yes.”

It was the word Tedd longed to hear. It’s also the word that God, in his tireless pursuit of the sinner, longs to hear.

—Rubel Shelly, Nashville, Tennessee