They had met before but it was very brief. They had seen each other on rare occasions but the conversations were few, if any.
She was scheduled to leave in just a couple of months to begin serving as a missionary in the country then known as Tanganyika. He had just begun serving his first church in Roseau, MN following his seminary graduation.
It was the summer of 1950. They were both attending a week long camp at Luther Crest Bible Camp near Alexandria, MN.
Somehow, he found out during this time at the camp that her time in the US was limited to just a few more months. He had to act fast. He asked her to go out for dinner one night during their week at the camp. It was their first date and their first time where it was just the two of them, alone. HE ASKED HER TO MARRY HIM!
She didn’t give him an answer for a month. Then she said yes. They were married on June 29, 1951.
What must it have been like for that man sitting across from that woman in the small café in the small town? He must have been scared to death. He hardly knew this lady. Somehow, he mustered up the courage to ask for her hand on their very first date.
What would have happened if he let fear take over and he chickened out? Well, for one, you wouldn’t be reading this blog post. As you might have guessed this is the love story of my mom and dad. Unfortunately, my dad passed away when I was 14 and I didn’t become aware of this story of their courtship until many years later. I never got to hear his side of the events of that fateful evening.
Often, we think our fears only impact us. We think our failures to take steps of courage won’t really impact anyone else. But they do. If we take the time to think about it we can recognize that one act of courage can have a generational impact.
Now, this is a hard right turn from the story of my mom and dad but I’m reminded of the movie from 2016 titled Hacksaw Ridge. It’s the true story of Seventh Day Adventist Desmond Doss from World War II. Because of his faith he chose to be a conscientious objector. Because he would not carry a weapon he became a medic. During an epic battle on Hacksaw Ridge he courageously saved the lives of 75 fellow soldiers. He was the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor for his service.
Seventy-five soldiers and their descendants after them were forever changed because of the courage of one man.
***This is a movie I would highly recommend. However, the war scenes are very graphic. If you are at all squeamish you should probably not watch it.***
Fear calls us to withdraw and selfishly think only of ourselves. Courage calls us to look beyond ourselves and think of others. Is someone in your circle paying a price today because of your fear? What can you do courageously today to make a difference in the lives of others?
Thanks, Dad, for having the courage to ask Mom to marry you on your first date. And, thanks, Mom, for having the courage to say yes!
Have a STRONG and COURAGEOUS day!
Do you need a speaker for an upcoming event? I’d love to be that guy. You can reach me at dave@cultivatecourage.com or 952-200-7499.
You can now buy the book “Cultivate Courage” on Amazon! https://amzn.to/2N2PBVJ
