Despite the disappointing morning, Lisa’s heart lifted. The cloudless sky was a brilliant blue, and the gentle breeze rustled the leaves overhead. She guided Pepper to the park bench and filled his collapsible water bowl before taking a swig from her water bottle. Just before she sat on the bench, her phone vibrated in her pocket. She slid it out and smiled at her best friend’s face lighting the screen.

            “Hey Christina,” she said.

            “Hey yourself. How was your brunch date?”

            Lisa sighed. “The date was thoroughly disappointing. He seemed like a nice enough guy, but we had nothing in common.”
            “Sometimes opposites attract.”

            “Opposites may attract, but not if the opposite has no respect for the things the other person cares about.” A rustling sound came from behind, but Lisa chose to ignore it, instead focusing on her conversation.

            “What do you mean?” Christina asked.

            “Well, I asked him if he liked dogs. You know how much I love Pepper. In fact, the first thing I did was go home from the so-called ‘date’ and get him. We’re at the dog park now.” She reached down and scratched Pepper between the ears. “You won’t believe this. He told me people who lived with animals must be less evolved.”
            “You’re kidding.”

            “I wish I was. That, of course, brought up the topic of evolution, which he believes is where we all came from. Christina, I can’t date a guy who hates animals and doesn’t even believe in God.”

            “Does he at least like music?”

            “He thinks music and art are a waste of time. He doesn’t even like to read for pleasure, which you know is my favorite past-time, other than playing with Pepper, music, and talking to you, of course.”

            “I guess it’s time to look for another date,” Christina said.

            Lisa shook her head, then remembered Christina couldn’t see her. “I don’t want to look for another date. All the good guys are already taken. Is it too much to ask for a guy who loves God and at least tolerates the things I’m interested in?”

            “No, it’s not,” Christina said. “God put the desire in your heart to be married. He gives good gifts to his children. You simply need to be patient.”

            “Sometimes I have trouble being patient,” Lisa said, “but you’re right. I know God has someone for me.” Pepper strained against the leash, anxious to get moving again. “Pepper is ready to go. I’m going to take a walk around the dog park and then play with him for a while. I’ll catch up with you later.”

            “Sounds good. I’ll keep my eye out for your dream man.”

            Lisa slid the phone back into her pocket, leaned back against the bench for a moment and sneezed. A deep “bless you” sounded behind her. She let out an automatic “thank you,” and turned to find the source of the voice. A man sat on the bench behind her. He stood, grabbed the leash of his dog, and walked around the bench to stand in front of her. Her eyes traveled from the adorable dog at the end of the leash, up the man’s muscular legs, to the paperback in his hand, up past the T-shirt emblazoned with the name of her favorite Christian rock band. Before daring to travel to his face, Lisa’s eyes darted back to the hand holding the paperback. No ring.

            Lisa finally allowed her eyes to meet his. Her heart pounded. His eyes were filled with kindness and … amusement? Heat spread through her cheeks. “How long have you been sitting behind me?” she spluttered.

            The amusement in his eyes spread, and his lips curved into an enormous smile. “Long enough,” he said. “I’m Ben.” He gestured toward his dog. “This is Mabel. Would you like to take our dogs for a walk together?”

Matthew 7: 9-11

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

 Dear Lord, You don’t always answer our prayers in the way we would like or even expect, but we know You love us and have plans for us. Thank You for always knowing what is best for us, even when we might not. Thank You for showing us what love is, and thank You for your gift of love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.