"Mother, I can't find the milk anywhere in this fridge!" Dorothy exclaimed. Dorothy lived with her ninety-one year old mother, Beatrice, caring and watching over her. Dorothy was divorced and Beatrice's husband had long since passed. "Dottie, for Heaven's sake, the milk is right here in front of your face. Let's get going to church now."
They put their pocketbooks in the back seat of the car and loaded in. The church was a few miles down the road and congregated only around a few dozen, one of whom was a man named Jerry. His wife passed years ago from cancer. It was a difficult time for him and his family, but his faith was steadfast and he continued to take care of his special needs son, a task which requires much patience. "Good morning there, gorgeous! Would you join me for lunch after service?" Jerry asked from his ritualistic seating in the row behind Dorothy. "Boy, did the Lord make you persistent!" she laughed lightheartedly and turned towards the front. The choir sang and the preacher gave his message. After church, Jerry requested again, "The offer is still up, sweetheart." With a soft smile, Dorothy replied, "I'll see you next week, Jerry."
But she didn't. The next week, she heard no such persistent offers or warm welcomes from the row behind her. His spot was empty.
Word travels fast among elders and her wondering turned to certainty. Jerry suffered from a heart attack and was currently in the hospital.
Her thoughts raced as she rushed to the hospital. Every night before bed, for twenty years, she prayed for God to bring her a good Christian man. He was right before her eyes and she didn't see him! She parked, walked up to the front desk of the hospital, got his room number, and headed to him.
"Is that your sweetheart you've been going on about?" asked the nurse. With a smile on his face and a sparkle in his eyes, he gazed longingly at Dorothy and said, "I do believe it is."