God chuckled the day I articulated, “I can work from any kitchen table with Wi-Fi in the lower 48 states.”
My time as a widow had been a dark 6 years—almost 7, years in which my heart and mind begged God to stop my breath. Then, as abruptly as my widowhood had begun, it ended. On a seemingly random September day my soul knew it was time to take off my husband’s wedding ring and begin living again.
And so it began, a few weeks later, on January 4th—the adventure of online dating, the intentional act of opening my heart to the possibility of finding someone to share conversation over coffee or dinner, perhaps see a movie or a play.
By Valentine’s Day (a holiday I am not terribly fond of) there were six messages from age-appropriate men, and plans for Wednesday (guy #4), Thursday (#3), and Friday (#5). As a woman who highly values monogamy, this lineup left me feeling stressed, and I responded by leaning heavily into authenticity. Thursday evening went extremely well, and I found myself looking forward to seeing #3 (who lived in my city) again.
That’s when a text arrived from #5 and God chuckled once more, anticipating all that came next.
On Friday guy #5 rolled into town and selected a restaurant. I happened to be at a car wash just a couple blocks away, so I arrived quickly and was waiting at the host station when he came through the door. If this caught him off guard, he didn’t miss a beat. And, 3 ½ hours later he walked me across the parking lot, took me into his arms and kissed me, then tucked me into my car and said good night. I didn’t want our evening to end.
My sister uses the word thunderstruck.
Growing up in Wisconsin’s Chippewa Moraine and along the shores of the Chippewa River, I found comfort in the bluff lines that bordered each vista and reached up to touch the stars. He’d been raised in Renville County, Minnesota, on the dark, loamy soil that was once marshland, where the night sky reaches down to touch the earth. And, seeing the now-cultivated prairie for the first time, I understood how humanity once believed the earth was flat.
I had once believed a falsehood—that love could not possibly find me again. Yet, here I am, at his kitchen table with my laptop. Editing. Writing. Working. Loving. Living.
And God smiles. Welcome to flat earth.
Founder of Whispered Hopes ministry, Renee Wurzer describes herself as a flawed, human and fragile encourager, a woman seeking to inspire others with courage and hope in Christ. A recent widow, her joy here on earth is her legacy family, especially grandchildren. She finds hope in walking with her faith community, editing for others and writing her own blog. Learn more about Whispered Hopes here.
Renee, oh so grateful to read part of your story. Incredible to witness the unfolding of your new love. Thank you.
Renee, Oh YAY!!!! I am so happy for this new love in your life. You are a brave, brave woman and way to go with opening your heart once again. How very, very brave!