pair. The day of the date, Mary Lynn decided to wear a little brighter shade of lipstick and the heels. She also decided that she was going to let Bill kiss her afterward, lest her continued denials push away the only romantic interest she’d ever really had.
Bill noticed the change in Mary Lynn’s appearance immediately when he picked her up. “Wow Mary Lynn…” he commented, “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you Bill.” she said with a smile as she stepped into Bill’s car.
Bill was again a perfect gentleman, and Mary Lynn couldn’t even remember what the movie was about because she was so anxious thinking about the possibility of her first real kiss. When the time finally came, Bill walked her up to her door. The moon was out and cast a romantic glow over her front porch.
“Well, goodnight Mary Lynn,” Bill said somewhat awkwardly.
“Good night Bill,” said Mary Lynn, “and thank you for a lovely evening.” She tried not to be too obvious as she licked her lips and smiled at him.
Bill looked down a bit awkwardly and then back up at Mary Lynn. She cleared her throat and raised her eyebrows wondering how obvious she was going to have to be. Finally Bill leaned in slowly. As he did, Mary Lynn closed her eyes and waited. In a moment she felt his lips touch hers, and then the slight draw of a pucker. She reached up to touch his cheek as they continued to kiss. Bill put his arms around her and began kissing her more passionately. Mary Lynn was just thinking she needed to stop, when she felt Bill grab her bottom.
“Mphmph… stop!” she said as she pushed him away. “What are you doing?”
“I just…” Bill stammered. “I just thought… you know… the lipstick and the heels.”
“You thought wrong Bill Mars.” she said. “It was just supposed to be a kiss.”
Bill seemed surprised and blurted back, “How can you kiss me like that and expect me to stop? Geez Mary Lynn.”
Now it was Mary Lynn’s turn to stammer, “I… I didn’t…”
“Forget about it, okay Mary Lynn?” Bill said as he turned around and started walking back to his car. “I’ll see you at school.”
As Bill drove off, Mary Lynn went into her house and plopped down on the couch. She grabbed a kleenex and started wiping off the red lipstick with a vengeance. Then she took off the heels and walked over to a trash can where she threw the kleenex and the heels away. As tears started falling down her cheeks, she went to the bathroom and grabbed the barely used tube of red lipstick and walked back over to the trash can where she threw it in with the shoes. As the tears continued to fall, Mary Lynn walked into the kitchen and grabbed a pint of ice cream out of the freezer. She grabbed a spoon out of the sink and began eating straight out of the container. “I might as well just give up,” she said, “I’m never going to get married.” Eventually, the crying ran its course, or the ice cream numbed her pain. Either way, she threw the empty container in the trash with the lipstick and shoes and went back to her bedroom where she called her mother.
“So… how’d the date go?” her mother asked.
“Oh Mom,” Mary Lynn began tearing up again. “It was awful.” Mary Lynn told her mom all of the gory details and waited for confirmation that she was doomed to a life of loneliness.
“Sweetie, I want you to know two things. Are you listening to me?” her mother started. “First of all, you are a beautiful, intelligent, talented woman who any man would be lucky to marry.”
“Thanks mom.” Mary Lynn said as she rolled her eyes a little.
“Second,” her mom went on, “you don’t have to be married to be happy or to be a great benefit to the Kingdom of God. Do you understand?”
“Yes mom, but you kind of have to say that as a parent.” Mary Lynn rationalized.
“Do you know who Mother Teresa was?” her mom asked.
“Yes mom,” said Mary Lynn.
“Do you know who Mary Magdalene was?” her mom asked.
“Yes mom,” said Mary Lynn.
Mary Lynn’s mother went on, “Most of the world knows who those women are, and both are known for their devotion to God and neither was married.”
“But do you think it would be better if I was married?” Mary Lynn inquired.
“Sweetie,” her mom replied, “like most things in life, God will use you whether you’re married or not. Trust me, if He really wants you to be married, He’ll make it obvious.”
After a moment of silence, Mary Lynn spoke into the phone, “Thanks mom.”
They exchanged good-byes, but before they hung up, Mary Lynn’s mother gave her one more piece of advice. “Mary Lynn,” she said, “what is your passion? I mean, I know part of it is music, but as far as helping other people, what’s your passion?”
“I’m not sure mom,” Mary Lynn acknowledged, “I’d have to think about that.”
“Find your Kingdom passion,” her mom stated, “and I think you’ll find the fulfillment you’re looking for.”
Scarcely a month later, Mary Lynn was having lunch with her sister and Bobbie Sue was lamenting the lack of good role models available to help juveniles once they get out of jail. “They just revert back to bad behaviors because that’s all they know.” said Bobbie Sue. “I wish we could set up some sort of ‘Big Sister’ program for them.”
“Well, why don’t we?” Mary Lynn asked.
“What, you and me?” Bobbie Sue replied.
“Sure,” said Mary Lynn, “you have connections through your husband, don’t you?”
Bobbie Sue thought for a moment before replying, “I guess I do. I’ll talk to him tonight and call you at home, okay?”
The two finished their lunches and Mary Lynn returned to work.
That evening after dinner, Mary Lynn was sitting on the couch reading her Bible. Her evening prayer time was when she lifted up people whom God put on her mind to pray for. Oddly enough, she began thinking of Ted Kinney from high school. “There’s a name I haven’t heard in a while.” she thought, but she lifted him up in prayer just the same. Suddenly the phone rang.
“Hello?” Mary Lynn answered.
“Hey sis, it’s Bobbie Sue. I talked to Ronnie and he said there are actually some funds available through a social worker program that the county manages for something like this. He gave me a name and number of someone to go see next Monday, can you go with me?”
“As long as it’s in the morning,” Mary Lynn replied, “I have to work at Driggers that evening.”
“It is,” said Bobbie Sue. “Oh, and there’s another thing I found out from Ronnie. Do you remember Ted Kinney from high school?”
“Sure...” Mary Lynn acknowledged slowly.
“He’s in jail right now.” Bobbie Sue said.
“What for?” asked Mary Lynn.
“DUI,” said Bobbie Sue, “but it’s evidently not his first arrest. He’s had trouble with the law before.” After Mary Lynn didn’t immediately reply, Bobbie Sue added, “didn’t you crush on him in high school?”
“I did not crush on Ted Kinney in high school.” Mary Lynn insisted.
“Mary Lynn Dobson…” Bobbie Sue accused, “you most certainly did crush on Ted Kinney in high school.”
“Whatever…” said Mary Lynn unconvincingly. She went on, “He had so much potential as a freshman, he just really went downhill when his parents got divorced.”
“Well, you can visit him if you want…” suggested Bobbie Sue. “You know, just invite him to church when he gets out.”
After a short pause, Mary Lynn continued. “I remember telling mom I didn’t think he was in a good place spiritually. If he could turn his life around… I’ll bet God could still use him in a really special way.”
“Put your money where your mouth is, sis.” Bobbie Sue challenged. “He’s a captive audience; you want to minister to him? Go minister.” Mary Lynn heard Bobbie Sue talking to somebody else who was there with her, then her sister came back on the phone. “Ronnie says the
church has Bibles they give to people who can’t afford them, he can bring one for you to give to Ted if you want.”
“You know,” Mary Lynn finally answered, “normally I would tell you to mind your own business, but oddly enough I was just praying about Ted before you called. Kind of weird.”
“Sounds like a message from God if you ask me.” said Bobbie Sue. “I’ll tell Ronnie to pick up a Bible on his way into work tomorrow.”
“Thanks Bobbie Sue…” Mary Lynn said sarcastically.
“Anytime, sis,” said Bobbie Sue. “See you Sunday.”
As Mary Lynn thought about what she would say to Ted Kinney, she was at a loss. “What do you say to someone in jail?” she thought. “I guess you should have made better decisions?” No, that’s not right. “Funny seeing you here?” No, definitely not. What would God say to him? As Mary Lynn flipped through her Bible, she expected that God would want Ted to know that he still matters. God would want him to know that He still has plans for Ted’s life, and that He will open up the floodgates of heaven to pour down blessings if Ted will turn back to Him.
“God,” Mary Lynn prayed, “please give me the words to say to Ted tomorrow. I will go and see him, but I need you to speak through me and tell me what to say. I pray that our time together will touch his soul, and that he will turn back to you with a passion greater than he’s ever had.” Content with her prayer, she closed her Bible and retired to her bedroom. Exhausted from the day, she fell asleep quickly.
Mary Lynn did indeed meet with Ted Kinney