EXPRESSIONS OF FAITH
God is there even in dark times
By H. Murray Hohns
I remember February 1982.
That was not a happy Valentine month in my life.
I lived in Southern California. I had moved there from the East Coast at the end of 1978 to run a large construction project. That move also marked the end of a difficult marriage. Three years had passed, and while my work kept me busy, I was lonely. There was no lady in my life, and I often wondered what was wrong with me. How come there was no one for me?
One Sunday morning that month, I heard a sermon that said there are times when all of us need to declare war on the enemy of our soul, the devil or Satan as he is sometimes called, and take back our joy which he would readily and quickly steal from us.
This may sound a little far-fetched, but I did just that later in the day. I was alone outside on the golf course and took advantage of my privacy to speak out loud and declare war on the devil. When I was done, I felt a little foolish and nothing seemed to happen, though I soon found myself engaged in a fast that lasted 35 days. I had never done anything like that before, nor have I since. The fast meant that I lost weight, and I was soon admiring myself in the mirror. I lost 40 pounds; I thought I looked great.
The phone rang a few months after my fasting ended, and a friend and client 400 miles away told me he had a lady he wanted me to meet. I learned that this woman lived near him, that she was 50 years old, a brunette, short, and not exactly thin, but I was assured that I would like her.
Besides, my client represented a major block of business, and I needed his favor, so I agreed to meet his friend. Her name was Jean.
Now, 400 miles was a geographical challenge, and I had a preference for tall, blonde, slim women who were younger than 50.
We met for dinner at the Hyatt Embarcadero Hotel in San Francisco in May 1982. We spent that evening talking and sharing why we were there, and we have continued to talk every day since. We solved the problems that 400 miles can impose fairly quickly, and we celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary in January. One more nice touch is when Jean's hair began to gray, she opted to become a blonde. I have to confess that I regained most of those pounds I had once lost.
The Lord changed my mourning into dancing in the spring of 1982.
When I thought there was no hope, he was there waiting for me to do the things I needed to to permit him to act on my behalf. He is there in the shadows of everyone's life. All we need do is to listen and act when he speaks, and life will change, and you will be astonished and delighted.
Every day will be Valentine's Day.
H. Murray Hohns of Makiki is a retired engineer and an associate pastor at New Hope Christian Fellowship. The Expressions of Faith column welcomes works from leaders in faith and spirituality. E-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8035. Articles submitted may be used by The Advertiser in print, electronic or other forms.
