When He says No – Part 2

Sitting on the couch with Johnny watching a scary movie, Ella was all too pleased to cuddle up next to him during the scary parts. Sure, he’s not the man of my dreams but he’s close enough. My friend had to really talk me into accepting his invitation to go out but now that it seems I’ve got him close to a commitment, I’m glad I did give him a chance. Sure, we’ve walked a fine line with the petting and kissing but he’s a healthy male and I’m a healthy female. Besides, I like getting him all hot and bothered: keeps his interest on me. “Do you really like scary movies?” Johnny asked. “Not particularly, but I do like the way you hold me and keep me safe from the monster” Ella said. “Would you like something to drink?” asked Ella. “No, I’m fine sitting right here with you” said Johnny.

After a while, Ella heard a voice say “just say NO!” She turned her head to see if Johnny heard the voice too but Johnny was down on one knee holding his hand out to her. “Oh my God, is he really doing this?” Ella thought to herself. Sure enough, Johnny spoke words of his commitment to her and his desire that she become his wife. “But what about the voice?” thought Ella. Could that have been God telling her to tell Johnny ‘No’ to his proposal? Surely not, because it’s been a year since that incident with Tracy and surely I’m ready for marriage now. I mean, he’s on his knee right in front of me and it’s what I want. “Are you gonna say something Ella?” asked Johnny. “What to do Lord, what to do? Can I say yes now so his feelings won’t be hurt (see, I do put others needs first) and then You and I can talk later so I can find out exactly what You meant by ‘just say No’?” Ella pondered but to Johnny she said, “Can you give me a few days to give you my answer? I mean, this is so sudden and I need to make sure”. Bewildered, Johnny agreed.

The first thing Ella did after Johnny left was called one of her girlfriends to tell her of the proposal. “Girl, he got down on one knee and everything”. I’m so happy for you Ella, I know how ready for marriage you are and now it’s really your time” said Jackie. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Ella knew that this wasn’t her time. She just wasn’t ready to accept that fact. “So what happened after you said yes?” asked Jackie. “I didn’t exactly say yes” Ella told her. “What? Why?” demanded Jackie. “I need to pray and ask God if this is the right thing for me to do” said Ella. “Well what did Johnny have to say to that?” questioned Jackie. “He seemed alright with it. Maybe a little confused because I’ve been telling him no sex before marriage and now he’s proposing and I didn’t immediately say yes. I asked him to give me a couple of day but I believe once I pray tonight, God will reveal to me that it’s OK to accept his proposal” stated Ella. That night during prayer, Ella heard nothing from God: He’d already spoken.

Two days later, Ella called Johnny at work and asked if he’d come by her apartment when he got off. Johnny agreed. Half an hour past the time Johnny should have been at her apartment he called Ella and said there was an emergency at work and he’d be at least an hour more. Ella told him that was fine and that she’d have her answer to his proposal ready for him when he got there. An hour and a half later, Johnny still had not arrived to Ella’s apartment. Thirty minutes after that, he called and read her the riot act. He told her completely off. Said how she’d never marry if she kept on stringing guys along by the balls just to get them to propose and when they did so, she doesn’t answer. He told her how easy it is for him to get sex from any woman so why should he have to jump through hoops just to be with her. He told her he hoped she had a nice life without him in it because he wanted nothing else to do with her. All Ella could do that night was cry because she’d made up in her mind that even though she’d heard the voice say ‘just say No’ and she’d prayed and God was silent, she’d decided to accept Johnny’s marriage proposal because it was what she wanted and she was willing to go against God.