I moved over to a different church when I was 19, and as I was a little bit too old for the youth, I was welcomed into this group of young, professional, working adults that at that point had an obsession over running every week after service. It was during one of these running sessions that I was first introduced to Colin - I remember distinctively meeting him on the running track, he might have been tying up his shoelaces or something. We exchanged a brief hello, and that was basically all my first impression was of him - a man tying his shoelaces saying hello.
As I knew these other professional people a little more, I began to hear lines dropped by the women about "that Colin Ho". Apparently he was a sleek, smart, high flying banker eligible bachelor.... that didn't want to date anyone. "Scores of girls are lining up for him, but he doesn't care!" It was all true what they said. What I noticed about Colin in that time was that he was pretty aloof from the girls, and didn't bother mixing, flirting and pursuing all these 'christian girls'. It was like he had no care to trifle in such things. Or so it seemed. In actual fact at the time, he was wrestling with God through certain very important things in his life and in his heart. Making big, important decisions with God. He wasn't hunting around for the next good christian girl to fill a need for a companion, to lean on as a crutch, or to satisfy this longing in his heart for something more. His 'carelessness' was actually a sign of a man of depth and character, one who desired very much to set things right with God.
Fast forward about 6 months later, a new girl shows up. I mean, she literally just showed up at one of our 4 day church camps in Malaysia, mixing and mingling with everybody with her happy toothy grin, spring in her steps and cute fashion sense. On the day we were introduced, she was wearing a Little Miss green tee shirt, the cutest embroidered cargo pants (who can actually pull off cargo pants in their late 20s?!), purple framed glasses, a bobbed hair cut with streaks of colored dye in it, sneakers, a patterned small sling bag, and introduced herself as a VET. Okay, this girl was weird but cool. More than that, she had an infectious grounded happiness about her, and an energetic, open personality. She was just so different. I'd never met a 20 something year old woman who went so against the grain of societal norm (clicky heels, sleek outfits, makeup and the works). The young adults community being pretty small, Colin and Qing were very quickly introduced, but that was it.
Then I have to take the chance to tell you this, which I've been very proud of wink emoticon My little efforts at being matchmaker. One of these sundays as my sister Samantha and I were running around the track, we got to talking about gossip that was going around the young adults group concerning Colin and another girl. Everyone was trying to play matchmaker, because this is what happens when you are a 30 something eligible banker single. People want to pair you up with their daughters, sisters, cousins, friends... For some reason, Qing's name came into our conversation, and immediately we unisonly agreed, "COLIN AND QING. THEY would be SO good together!", "Colin and these other girls, it could be good yeah. But Colin and Qing, it would be like a BOMB EXPLOSION."
Well clearly, Colin felt the same way wink emoticon
Back to after church camp where they had barely talked to one another, Qing had already heard so much about this eligible banker cell leader, that her curiosity had been peaked and she wanted to see him for herself. BUT, she was resolute that she would not be one of his groupies. Chances would have it, he was a cell leader at the time, and Qing had to join a cell right? Being the small church that we are, there really aren't that many options for young working adults. So there it was, one friday evening, that Qing was brought into his cell by a friend.
Back to after church camp where they had barely talked to one another, Qing had already heard so much about this eligible banker cell leader, that her curiosity had been peaked and she wanted to see him for herself. BUT, she was resolute that she would not be one of his groupies. Chances would have it, he was a cell leader at the time, and Qing had to join a cell right? Being the small church that we are, there really aren't that many options for young working adults. So there it was, one friday evening, that Qing was brought into his cell by a friend.
She being the friendly girl talked to him and everyone else with equal attention, probably in her cargo pants and purple hair. I think he was quite taken by this strange, bubbly girl that was so different from any other girl he had met. Chemistry and attraction is a strange and unexplainable thing most times.. 1 and 1 can work and have a good marriage, another 1 and 1 may be a terrible combination, and then there are the 1 and 1s who are magic together.
So it was, that this unattainable bachelor, whose heart had lain hidden and 'uncaring' for years, began to open up to Qing. As his curiosity in her grew, so did his text messages. Those text messages turned to phone calls, and eventually into a request from Colin for a diving trip with some friends wink emoticon
It was fun. Sea, sand, sun, diving, flirting... On the last day journeying back, Colin FINALLY made his move. He held her hand. And thus began Colin and Qing Ho.
Over the years they have become my dear friends, and are one of the most hilarious couples to be with, with a little bit of kooky. I love them, and rejoice deeply at God's goodness in bringing them to one another!
Many people have told me that my standards for a husband are way too high, unrealistically idealistic, and that I actually may never ever find someone because of them (yes a few people have told me that meaning well). They always ask why I don't consider so and so who "is a really good, godly man?" But Colin and Qing's story is one of those God awaited love stories that affirms my belief and my hope!
That there is that special person who is Good for you and you for him, who is worth the wait and submitting to God for. That God Knows our needs, our 'types', and will bring you together at the right time. You don't have to settle for someone else who isn't, even if that person is an incredibly eligible and godly one - can't we deeply respect and like a person AS a person, without wanting to make him/her ours? - this is not about eligibility, it's about the incomparable treasure of this one person that no one else can replace, and the intimate walk with Abba Father to wait, See and choose her/him. I actually believe he delights in us asking him for his opinion, and discussing our desires with him. Our hearts are precious treasures worth this divinely sacred wait and pursuit, and this sweet, trusting intimacy with our Father in heaven.
That there is that special person who is Good for you and you for him, who is worth the wait and submitting to God for. That God Knows our needs, our 'types', and will bring you together at the right time. You don't have to settle for someone else who isn't, even if that person is an incredibly eligible and godly one - can't we deeply respect and like a person AS a person, without wanting to make him/her ours? - this is not about eligibility, it's about the incomparable treasure of this one person that no one else can replace, and the intimate walk with Abba Father to wait, See and choose her/him. I actually believe he delights in us asking him for his opinion, and discussing our desires with him. Our hearts are precious treasures worth this divinely sacred wait and pursuit, and this sweet, trusting intimacy with our Father in heaven.
