One Hitchhiker's Guide to Love

written by Lynn M. Hayner, a visitor to Grace House

Bob is frugal with his words, but not with his devotion to Doris, his wife of many years who sits beside us as we talk. I am honored with his words of wisdom on a range of topics, but even more honored to witness such love.

Bob and I talk about a great range of topics: his military career, his travels and the time spent with his family living abroad. We converse with Doris present, but she is unable to share her own memories. "What story do you think Doris would tell me if she could?" I ask.

Bob is thoughtful for a moment before speaking, but then answers with certainty:

"Hitchhiking,"

"Hitchhiking????"

"Well I was in college when we started going together, and I hitchhiked home to see her my senior year."

"Well!" I reply. "What love won't do!"

"Foolish as it may be," Bob agrees, with a smile.

We continue discussing topics varying from theology to Pearl Harbor, but my lasting impression is not from anything Bob says to me. My lasting impression comes from Bob's responses to Doris. A couple of times during our time together, Doris seems to communicate a thought or a need. Bob is ever prompt to ask her: "You okay, baby?" "You want to come over here?" The genuine ease with which he responds to her is humbling to witness: faith and love in action; not words alone.

According to James 1:22-25 (NIV) "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says . . . 25 . . . the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-he will be blessed in what he does."

Bob himself will tell me how blessed their life has been. "We've had a wonderful life, and we are still having a good life. This is not what we envisioned, but you make the best of the situation God gives you."

I go home inspired in my own marriage, and in faith. Bob may no longer teach Bible study classes, but he indeed continues to teach.