I looked up at her and shook my head no.
"But something makes you believe what I'm saying?"
"Yes." I said before looking away. I was confused and yet I was privately elated.
There was another emotion rising up within me choking off any feeling of elation I had previously felt. It was fear. Fear of making a mistake. Fear of the unknown. Fear of what might be asked of me. So many fears and I tried to swish them all away, as they were trying to spoil one of the greatest moments of my life.
"Elon?"
I glanced up to see Maria standing there almost on the verge of tears.
"What is it Maria?"
"I…… I…… I……"
I pulled her down to the bench beside me. Tears were now flowing and she wouldn't look at me. She seemed almost scared to.
"What are you scared of Maria?"
She shrugged expressively, as if to say she didn't know or that there were too many fears to count.
"Me?" I asked.
Her eyes turned to mine and she quickly said, "No, not really. Not anymore."
I studied her for a long moment, "You know I think you're one of the bravest women I've ever met."
Her eyes lit up in surprise, "Whatever could make you think that?"
"I just do. Now what were you going to ask me Maria?"
"Could we date for a while before……."
"Absolutely!"
She went on as if I hadn't spoken, "I know I don't have the right to ask and I'd never refuse you or what God wants, but I……."
"I've waited for over 3000 years I think I can wait a little longer."
I watched her face go slack with shock and before she could burst out with the usual questions I said, "You're worth the wait anyway."
She swallowed and just looked at me looking very shaken. Sudden thoughts filled my head and I gripped the bench hard feeling shaken to the core of myself.
Dimly I heard Maria calling to me, "Elon are you all right?"
I came back to the present and opened my eyes to gaze into her worried ones.
Out of curiosity I asked, "Was there anything else the God asked of you in concern to me?"
"He told me to pray for you."
I nodded and glanced down. Not only was God giving me physical and emotional companionship with a woman that I wouldn't have to watch grow old and die, but he had also given me help in the work that I did for the Kingdom.
In all my years I'd never had anyone devoted to praying just for me. Perhaps it was possible that I could accomplish more with this woman by my side than I ever had just by myself. God had granted my private desires, but ultimately He'd satisfied my spiritual ones.