Aileen

My family has not been a dating family - something I have encouraged. Wait until after high school when you will not have to wait too long before you can marry. And Tim does. But he did meet a local girl while he was still in high school and he has remembered her. And now she is available to get to know...They talk and talk and talk. Aileen is not a Christian and Tim knows she must understand and commit to the faith before he can consider her his girlfriend. And he walks that fine line well. So does she. We first meet her on a Sunday. She has agreed to come to church with Tim. She has borrowed a dress from a friend - one she thinks must be appropriate church attire. How would she know? This is a new experience...We all pile into our van and begin our long Sunday in St. Thomas together. It is demanding but Aileen listens well. She comes over often and though the noise level is difficult for her, she covers her ears as necessary and continues on. Eventually, Tim senses she is ready to make a profession of faith. I take her out for lunch and in the car, as we are about to drive home, she fully understands the gospel and prays that the death of Christ will cover her sin. We are delighted, but now in some ways things become even more difficult. Of course Tim may now date her, but we know the rate of new converts falling away from the faith is very high. What should we do? We watch her carefully, and challenge them regularly in different ways. It is difficult. But it shows much about her character. Even when she doesn't like it, she is teachable. When push comes to shove, she will always submit to what we ask as parents. This helps me see inside her and I like what I see.

Eventually, Tim asks her out for dinner. They come back and Tim says he would like us to meet his fiance. Well, he fooled us all. We had no idea this was his night to become engaged. Good for you, Tim! And a year later they are married.

And now Aileen is Tim's wife. Soon she becomes the mother of Tim's children - of Nick and Abby and Michaela. And they have been married almost ten years. What do I see now? I see a young woman that I love with all my heart. Father, thank you for matching Tim so well. You continue to bring out the beauty of Aileen's character so marvellously. She who was once Much Afraid has become brave and trusting. Her native integrity and good judgment continue to issue forth in wisdom that blesses us all. Her conscience is tender. She desires to do what is right. Her children are loved fiercely. She understands her husband well and has let him do what he must do under the Lord even when it has been most difficult for her. For this, may not only her children, but many not known by name, rise up and call her blessed.