a new sister

Many years ago I was a leader on one of our Churches high school summer trips out to Colorado… my younger brother Calvin was on the trip and I was blessed with a fun group of girls in my room that I got to ‘lead’ for the week. Apparently one of these girls had caught my brother’s eye and it was a year later that I told him she was the only girl he was allowed to date while I was away in New Zealand at Bible School.

I have always counted it an incredible responsibility to have Melanie look up to me. From that very first time that we got to know each other in Colorado I have prayed that God would use me to be an encouragement and example to Melanie in her relationship with the Lord. Little did I know what a treasure she would become to me, how much I would learn from her through our relationship, and that she would one day be my sister. Mel loves Jesus more than anything and she has an unapologetic hunger for His Word. She takes joy in nature’s beauty and has a creative spirit. Mel and I always had so much in common, and it made me laugh how similar the man I chose to marry was to Calvin. Outgoing and animated women contrast Chris and Calvin’s laidback and quieter personalities, and it just seemed to make sense that they were a good match for one another.

When Cal decided that it was best for he and Mel to break up when he left for New Zealand, I respected his decision, but couldn’t help but wonder if Mel would still be waiting for him when he came back around. She was a faithful friend to me during that time, despite the fact that her and Calvin’s future was unknown, and I grew to respect her more and more as I saw her release her heart to God. It was such a blessing and a gift to me to see how God grew and changed her through the years.

I had many phone calls, coffee dates, facebook/text messages from each of them over what Cal calls ‘The Dark Ages’ when neither one of them quite knew what to do next and the conclusion was always to just wait. Studying counseling at Moody helped me to keep my own thoughts and opinions to myself, and I learned to trust that the Lord knew what He was doing as I watched them do the same. But I REALLY wanted them to end up together. I couldn’t imagine Calvin or Melanie with anyone else- but knew that even if they were the right people- it also had to be the right time.

What a relief it was when they finally got back together and Calvin soon knew that they wouldn’t be breaking up again this time. God’s faithfulness is so evident through their story and I have been so blessed personally by them both.

I hold the highest respect and deepest love for my brother Calvin and there is no other woman worthy of Him. I know that Mel will be Cal’s perfect helper as he is going to need her for wherever God leads them.

Blessings to them both as we got to witness their joyous wedding day this past week!

photo courtesy of Babboni Photography. (my dad!)