C
Behind every good Christian man lies a secret... this is the story of about last night.
Christian friends gather at a firepit/cookout event on Saturday night. I'm one of them. I fly solo, awaiting a text back from a woman who I invited to meet me there when she got out of work.
It's almost a reunion, some of us having not seen one another for sometime. An old close friend (Guy 1)and his girlfriend arrive, they almost pause miserable for a moment at the presence of a married couple (Guy 3) amongst us. Later, another close old friend (Guy 2) arrives, single and solo.
We have four young adult males at this gathering... *Ages 25-29
Guy 1 (G1) - The Ex-Frustrated Single Guy Now In A Relationship For Almost 2 Years Now
Guy 2 (G2) - The Frustrated Single Christian Guy
Guy 3 (G3) - The Married Ex-Proactive Christian Male
Me - The Single Proactive Christian Male
Background Fact: A few years ago all of us were in competition for G3's current wife. Before G3 came into the picture these were the standings...
1. Me
2. G1
3. G2
How it played out: My grandfather died, I left church for a few months to tend to family business, G3's wife must have assumed I would never return. Upon my return she was now dating G3. G3 and I would become the best of friends non-the-less.
Saturday Night: G1 arrives with girlfriend of almost 2 years and pauses miserable at the presence of G3 and wife. A history of competitive drive and determination precede him. They are also anti-social and against the way of the group for parts of the evening. They depart early.
Diagnosis: G1 is still stuck on G3's wife and bitter towards G3. G1's girlfriend completely oblivious to this fact.
Later Saturday Night: G2 is beside himself. A history of being set up on dates lies behind him. Now drifting into all-out anti-social mode. He speaks with G3's wife before getting up and standing in the middle of the dark yard by himself. He returns to his seat, sits quietly and addresses that he'll now be leaving. G2 departs.
Diagnosis: G2 has gotten over G3's wife. G2 is really miserable about the fact that no single women that are his type are present.
Later Saturday Night: My cell sounds, an incoming text from the woman three hours after the fact. She has strep. Can't make it. She wants to get together sometime soon. We joke text back and fourth before saying goodnight. This affects my evening very little. I continue with my joyful evening.
The Ending: Myself, G3 and Wife, and Host enjoy videogames and TV like life could never be better.
Behind every good Christian man is a choice. Happiness or discouragement. A story of myself and G3, happy no matter what. A story of G1 and G2, miserable no matter what.
Christian friends gather at a firepit/cookout event on Saturday night. I'm one of them. I fly solo, awaiting a text back from a woman who I invited to meet me there when she got out of work.
It's almost a reunion, some of us having not seen one another for sometime. An old close friend (Guy 1)and his girlfriend arrive, they almost pause miserable for a moment at the presence of a married couple (Guy 3) amongst us. Later, another close old friend (Guy 2) arrives, single and solo.
We have four young adult males at this gathering... *Ages 25-29
Guy 1 (G1) - The Ex-Frustrated Single Guy Now In A Relationship For Almost 2 Years Now
Guy 2 (G2) - The Frustrated Single Christian Guy
Guy 3 (G3) - The Married Ex-Proactive Christian Male
Me - The Single Proactive Christian Male
Background Fact: A few years ago all of us were in competition for G3's current wife. Before G3 came into the picture these were the standings...
1. Me
2. G1
3. G2
How it played out: My grandfather died, I left church for a few months to tend to family business, G3's wife must have assumed I would never return. Upon my return she was now dating G3. G3 and I would become the best of friends non-the-less.
Saturday Night: G1 arrives with girlfriend of almost 2 years and pauses miserable at the presence of G3 and wife. A history of competitive drive and determination precede him. They are also anti-social and against the way of the group for parts of the evening. They depart early.
Diagnosis: G1 is still stuck on G3's wife and bitter towards G3. G1's girlfriend completely oblivious to this fact.
Later Saturday Night: G2 is beside himself. A history of being set up on dates lies behind him. Now drifting into all-out anti-social mode. He speaks with G3's wife before getting up and standing in the middle of the dark yard by himself. He returns to his seat, sits quietly and addresses that he'll now be leaving. G2 departs.
Diagnosis: G2 has gotten over G3's wife. G2 is really miserable about the fact that no single women that are his type are present.
Later Saturday Night: My cell sounds, an incoming text from the woman three hours after the fact. She has strep. Can't make it. She wants to get together sometime soon. We joke text back and fourth before saying goodnight. This affects my evening very little. I continue with my joyful evening.
The Ending: Myself, G3 and Wife, and Host enjoy videogames and TV like life could never be better.
Behind every good Christian man is a choice. Happiness or discouragement. A story of myself and G3, happy no matter what. A story of G1 and G2, miserable no matter what.