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Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Laughter (10/18/04)

TITLE: You Brought The Laughter Back
By Lucian Thompson
10/18/04

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Darkness was all about me and the quiet was deafening. Surely, my life was over. The will to carry on was replaced by a deep depression that was overtaking me like a thunderous waterfall. Crying stole my laughter and sorrow took my joy.

After the Lord took my dear wife Kathy home to be with Him I went into a deep depression that I could not control. I felt my life was over and that I was at my end. I didn't want to live! When the pain became unbearable, I cried out to God and asked Him to take me home or take my pain away. I couldn't take it any more!

In His empathetic mercy, God heard my cry and several days later Trish came into my life. I knew that I knew Trish was Gods answer to my prayer and that she was prepared from the beginning of time for this moment, to renew my strength and fill the void in my heart and to bring back the laughter.

Nothing about our instant love for each other makes any sense to the average onlooker. We stand in awe of how God has worked in our lives to bring us to this point.

We both subscribe to the fact that as we get closer to God we get closer to each other. Therefore, starting way up the 'closeness to God scale', we had an advantage over so many people that fall in love.

Being of mature age, we have many experiences to draw from that lends to our understanding of what God had in store for us.

We met on the, “No…No” way, INTERNET…Ahhhhhhhhh! While doing research on a Christian web site, one of those annoying pop-ups flashed on my screen. It was from christiancafe.com. Well, I wasn’t looking for anyone at this time, but I was drawn to open the link and check it out. Somehow I felt compelled to read what this site was all about. After filling out a lengthy profile and submitting it, I quickly dismissed the thought and went about being depressed.

I have a cute little yellow ducky as my email notified. The next day this duck like to squawked his little head off. I got about thirty responses from different ladies who responded to my profile. I was totally overwhelmed and mystified. As I read their comments, I began to realize that I was not alone in my despair. There were tons of people out there who were in the same boat I was in.

I wasn’t attracted to any of these dear ladies, but while peeking at some other photos of subscribers, I saw that face…that face that drew me in and caused my toes to tingle and my heart to jump with excitement; My Trish.

I dared to write her and the rest is history. God answered my prayers.

As a Pastor, I would counsel anyone coming to me with this same situation to seek God and take time to know His will and to go slooooow. Great advice, and I am still 100% behind this counsel, but…we ran to each other and we aren’t looking back.

Both Trish and I are amazed at the depth of our love for each other and at the almost supernatural way we have progressed in such a short period of time. I am blessed beyond measure at this wonderful gift from God. Trish is new life to me! She replaced my pain with laughter and great happiness.

We know that our total being is entwined with our savior, Jesus. Our purpose is to follow Jesus in ministry and work as a team to do His bidding according to His calling on our lives. The God of second chances has restored us both to hope for tomorrow and a love that will last for a lifetime!

My heart has been healed and my soul rejuvenated. Psalms 126:2 says, Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." New King James Version © 1982 Thomas Nelson

May the God of Heaven and Earth, and all there is, was, and ever will be, give you that second chance to know joy unspeakable and bring the laughter back into your heart and to have that love that will last for a lifetime! Amen.

(See my testimony and pictures at: http://members.cox.net/revthomp/)


Member Comments
Member Date
Susan Coltrane-Dunn10/25/04
God Bless you Luc! This story grabbed at my heart.....AGAIN. I am really happy for you. "Being of mature age, we have many experiences to draw from that lends to our understanding of what God had in store for us." Well said my friend! God Bless You
WENDY DECKER10/25/04
What a nice story to share. I'm so glad you were able to find love and happiness again.
Rita Garcia10/25/04
Lucian, It never ceases to amaze me how God cares about the details of our lives. A delightful love story. Blessings, Rita
Joanne Malley10/25/04
Lucian,
So happy to hear of your new found love and the chance you have at a happy life once again.
Proves that God can heal the broken-hearted.
Blessings to you and your new lady!
Jo
Trish Thompson10/25/04
...and I will never tire of letting you know how much I love you, and your love means to me!

Our life is full of laughter, some silly, some tender, some just full of joy. You are not the only one that got the laughter back!
Lynda Lee Schab 10/25/04
Lucian,
As I said to Joanne last week, I LOVE a good love story! This one was wonderful! Thanks for sharing - what an inspiration you are!
Love, Lynda
Corinne Smelker10/25/04
Lucian - another winner in my book!

My husband and I met and were engaged five days later, not something I would recommend at all, but if you have a good walk with the Lord, you know because you know! Anyway, 11 years and 5 kids later we are still together and our marriage gets stronger every day.

Thanks for sharing this!
Debbie OConnor10/25/04
Just wonderful! Congratulations on your new love and laughter. I'm new here, but WOW. What a great story and very well told. Thanks!
Mitzi Busby10/25/04
Yet, another masterpiece. God bless.
darlene hight10/25/04
Lucian,
I really love this story and the God who does this kind of magic.
Darlene
Barbara Thompson-Young10/25/04
Lucian, thanks for sharing your heart-warming story. I can see how Trish would help bring new-life to you! She seems to be full of joy and optimism..well...so do you...guess you are two peas in a pod...or is it two lives brought together through the grace of God, and for his divine purposes!
Glenda Lagerstedt10/26/04
I look forward to your submissions. Always interesting, riveting, and wise.
John Hunt10/26/04
Lucian,
Another very wonderful article. Proof that God's timing is perfect.
L.M. Lee10/26/04
as always the joy of the Lord flows through your words.
Marina Rojas 10/26/04
There's nothing like a pastor who doesn't listen to his own advice, but rather follows the guide of the Holy Spirit! Imagine that! This was a lot of fun! I have a beautiful, wonderful, godly daughter in law from the other side of the world thanks to the inter-not! I mean internet! God is good!
Teresa Lee Rainey10/27/04
PTL His ways are not our ways! PTL for the Holy Spirit's guidance! I wouldn't traid my wonderful husband for the world either and God brought us together quickly too (1 month courtship, 2 month engagement). PTL He knows best :^)
Kathy Cartee10/28/04
I love this.
You really have a gift to write.

How wonderful to watch God restore laughter with such a special treasure as the life long joy of a wife.

On the Internet? Amazing
Deborah Porter 10/28/04
Awwwwww ... the romance continues! It is such a joy that you and Trish share your lives so openly with us. Does our hearts good. Love, Deb
Kathy Cartee10/29/04
Hello Lucian
I wanted to share a thought I had on thw way to town yesterday.
I was thinking about your articles and how much I enjoyed reading them.
Just a little humor , here----
From a cop, to a pastor , to a man filled with laughter.

Suits you very well I think

Keep up all the great articles.
Roberta Kittrell10/29/04
Lucian, very well done. But the story really wrote itself, didn't it. Or, rather, God wrote it.

I could well identify with you and your loss and the resultant depression. Been there and done that.

After my husband Bob died, I kept on taking care of my aunt, and later my "baby" sister. When my aunt and my sister died in 2001, then there was the grief re Bob to which I had been too busy to yield and the grief of being left behind by all three.

Bob died peacefully from pancreatic cancer 11 years ago this evening.

The time between Fall 2001 and Spring 2004 was a "Footprints in the Sand" experience, as God was healing me.

Wouldn't mind the Lord's blessing me like He has Trish and you. However, I am the Lord's servant; and hope to rejoice in whatever state I am in.

Blessings, Bobbi
Gary Sims10/30/04
Luc - Depression is an amazing thing. It seems that everyone describes it in similar terms: a tunnel of darkness, a deafening quiet, a cascade of emotions. When we are in the pit of despair, nothing seems to matter. All the heartfelt comments from friends seem to float by as leaves in a fall zephyr. And then, if we are a lucky, a rainbow breaks into our lives and God's love lifts us out of the pit. The question that looms, in my mind, is what can be done to help those in the pit of despair? Will your experience with Trish give you new insight in reaching those sinking into darkness? Would this article have touched your heart when you were wallowing in the midst of your pain? I know that there is never one thing that works. I think God throws myriad of lifesavers to those in despair and eventually one sticks. Thank you for being one of those lifesavers and continue to allow God to use you in this way. Your experience can be and will be a valuable tool in the building God's kingdom. - Gary
Linda Germain 10/31/04
My Dear FW Brother,
If this is supposed to be about laughter, why am I crying? *sniff. A love story that is wrapped in obedience to the Lord is a rare and beautiful thing. Wonder how many "aloners" will stroll by that Christian Cafe now? :0) As always, your writing hits the mark.
Shari Armstrong 08/20/07
I just read this for the first time (after seeing the link from your interview....:) I also met my hubby on-line and tell people to go SLOW (we got engaged after being together in person for a couple days, yet had a nearly 10 month engagement :) )

God does work in amazing ways!


   
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