Long before I met him, I have been praying for him. I often ask the Lord to bless his ministry, his work and his personal walk with the Lord. I have always prayed for God’s best who deeply loves the Lord more than he will love me. Praying this way claims that He has already answered my prayer… it’s just that our paths have not crossed yet.
Then, one fateful morning, my heart was stabbed with such longing for companionship that I had to rise up and pray, "Lord, I am ready to meet him now, Amen."
Meet him now? God has His own timing.
In those days I have already been attending the Makati Influencers Prolink as it was an opportune time to spend quality time with my college Christian friends. Two (2) months later, God used the ministry to introduce me to this boyish-looking man. He is good looking, neat, always smiling, talented, very active in the ministry, friendly, and looked four (4) years younger than I am. "If we were still in college, this guy will call me ‘Ate’," I mused to myself. I would engage in get-to-know-you conversations with him with this kind of mindset… an ‘Ate’ speaking to a younger but mature Christian. I specifically asked the Lord for someone 6-10 years older than I am; non-negotiable, … and he does not fall in that category. (Looks can be deceiving :- )
Another two (2) months later, determined to invite me to OJ-Lucena, by hook or by crook, this man sat beside me. He asked for my cell phone number and I enthusiastically gave it. "We can exchange verses just like the way I exchange verses with my friend, Philip," I said with gusto. That night, I also found out that he was already 33 years old … or 6-10 years older than I am. (Looks can really really be deceiving J ) We talked more after the Prolink and I found out that we had so many things in common. Wow, I finally found the kind of man who would love going out on a date at National Bookstore!!! He loves books, he is interesting to talk with, he is funny. Aaaaahhh … If there was love at first sight --- ours was LOVE AT FIRST DEEP CONVERSATION. I fell for Miler that very night, I would now admit.
By being with the Makati Influencer family, Miler and I developed our friendship in the context of a group where I was able to observe his ways from afar. I was also surrounded with his friends who vouched for his character. He also calls me often and he would talk about his interesting adventures in life … most of which are about Ekbale, OJ and Convergence. On the other hand, my discipler, Grace, always reminded me not to assume anything from any of these gestures.
Five months of friendship have passed. Miler just came back from Ekbale-Indonesia and he invited me for a dinner, with my strict Dad’s permission, of course. On September 1, 2001, after hours of friendly conversation, I had to remind him that we have to be on our way home. But he asked if he can embark on one last topic. That is when he confessed that since that night when we had our FIRST DEEP CONVERSATION, the Lord allowed his love for me to grow. Miler asked if we can both seek God’s will on the matter…
The rest, as they say, is history. This man is now my treasure, my master, my best friend, the father of my son to be and … undoubtedly my God’s Best. - - - Rachel Peňa
Date: 25th of August
