I was just 22 but had known Ben for about five years while I had been in a steady relationship for the first four of those five years. The falling apart of that relationship had hit me hard and he knew all about it. So after about a year when he began pursuing me, I wasn't prepared at all. Yet, in the past few years, multiple friends and colleagues had mentioned his 'soft corner' for me. But he was not really my types in most senses. And not to mention how 'spiritually pakao' he was!
Not like I wasn't spiritual. I was on my own journey of my quest for God. But most of the conversations between Ben and me about the Bible or church would turn into bitter arguments which only repelled me further.
Somehow, over the next one year, the time we spent together increased phenomenally, so much so that I wasn't hanging out with my usual friends anymore. With no intention of a 'fling' I confronted him and made it clear that if he was interested in a serious relationship, marriage had to follow. He took his time...a little too much time...and few months later suddenly decided that he hadn't heard God about me...this would be the make or break.
'Heard God?'
'What on earth?!' I thought. 'What a lame way of walking out, couldn't he come up with something better?'
He asked for a few months...to 'hear God' until when he asked me if I could 'wait.'
'Ya, right, of course, since the most handsome and eligible bachelor in town has humbly requested...' Is that what he expected me to say???!!! High hopes!
I decided not to waste my time 'waiting.' Spiritually, I had just discovered something that felt so real...my dear friend Savio, was my comfort and encouraged me in my spiritual pursuit. Savio, such a wonderful friend lost too soon. In the meanwhile something told me that I should 'wait.' So Ben and I decided to give it three months. We wouldn't keep in touch with each other at all during this time but focus on our careers and wait to 'hear' from God.
Exactly three months later, my friend Sucheta called me over to meet her at Mc Donald's Bandra. I was completely unaware of what was to happen next and so was Sucheta. It was Ben's big promotion and unbeknown to me, he had fervently prayed to have me by his side. There was no time nor inclination for me to hang around and celebrate...I desperately wanted to get away and rushed off to work, far from all the hungama. But Ben tagged along. It was on this auto ride that he broke the news to me-he had been listening to I, Isaac, take you, Rebekah by Ravi Zacharias and had made up his mind. (YouTube Link for Part 1 of 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5W4_OWgPew&t=120s)
He handed me the cassette and asked me to listen to it.
When I began listening to it, my attention was first caught by this man's incredible vocabulary. I couldn't help but go ga ga over Ravi Zacharias' amazing command over the English Language. He had such impressive diction and an absolutely endearing tone. Most of all, he shared foundational truths on experiencing the Lord's will and direction in choosing your life partner through the story of Isaac and Rebekah and powerful testimonies of how the Lord had worked in his life in leading him to his wife.
This man of God, helped us make the most important decision of our lives through that cassette. We will forever be grateful to the Lord for the impact he has had on our lives and the lives of many others through this beautiful story via the cassette and the book. We decided to make that choice of love and commitment to each other. We can confidently say it hasn't been all roses and no thorns, but we made a decision and the Lord Himself has been the cord that holds our marriage and our family together.
Thank you dear man of the Most High. As much as we mourn your parting, the party in heaven just got bigger. You're hands down THE BEST apologist and philosopher I've heard! Much much much love!!!
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