Snow was already on the ground in Calgary. I mention this because earlier that day I had had my heart broken like a snowball smashed against a wall. I should have been expecting it, but I wasn't. The person who broke my heart would actually have been in many ways an unsuitable lifemate for me, but I loved him more than I had ever loved anyone. I had assumed we would be together forever.
I dealt with the shock as best I could, but I was a basket case.
I can't remember how this came about, but that night I ended up going to a youth group event at a friend's church. Maybe she had invited me earlier; maybe she invited me that same day -- I don't recall. We got into a van and were driven to a downtown church. I assume there was a musical performance of some kind, but time has erased the details. All I remember is sitting in the church basement, across from a young man who talked to me about God. I have no idea what this person looked like, or what he said. I'm not even sure he was young, but I was only 17, so I probably would have remembered if he had been "not young" (something ancient, like 30).
I do have a very vague clue as to what we talked about, because a year and a half ago I found a letter I had written the following day, reporting that I'd been asked if I wanted to open back up to God and I'd said "Yes."
The "back" part of that revelation is a mystery, since I don't remember having been particularly interested in God up to that point. But I see now that God had been drawing me to Himself for years.
The funny thing about this memory is that although I was facing the young man at the table, my memory is of watching myself from the side. So, I suspect this is the Holy Spirit's memory. He waited politely, watching me from one side of the room. When I said "Yes," He heard my heart. "Yes, I need You, Jesus." I was reborn that night.
This isn't only a rebirth story, though. It's a romance. My noble King, waiting in the wings until my heart was free and He got the word, "Your lady is ready."
Happy anniversary, sweet Jesus. I will adore and worship You forever.