Unexpected Insights Into a Providential Love Story

Unexpected Insights Into a Providential Love Story

Providence—in one definition—is described as timely preparation for future eventualities. I like that definition, especially when contemplating meeting, pursuing, and marrying Kim. Future eventualities need a touch of patience while waiting through timely preparation. The discovered eventual reward is worth the wait.

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” Proverbs 18:22

Finding a wife is an act of providence. Well-timed. Let’s just say I came along at the right time, and I know it. Kim was ready for a boyfriend by the time we met. She had dated before, but that makes this revelation even more important. Of no cause of my own, I intersected life with Kim and played the pursuit game well.

Over a year after Kim died, I came across a couple of Kim’s old diaries. I’d never read them, but I figured now I could do so without retribution.

After I met Kim in college, I always told her I wished I could have known her as a younger girl. Finally, my wish came true. I had discovered her diaries for her twelfth to thirteenth year and her fifteenth to sixteenth year. Priceless.

And I learned a little bit about providence, too.

There were entries about school and grades, friends and boys, best friends and changing friends, highs and fallouts with friends, church and youth group, and the normal topics. But then imagine with me—for just a moment—reading alone at night in the quietness of my own room and stumbling upon and reading the following words.

“I wish I could get a boyfriend. Everybody is getting one but me! Someday a prince will come into my life.” Kim Plumblee, January 22, 1976

“I did come into your life,” I spoke, breaking the silence in my room. What a precious moment. What a sweet moment. What a gift to me.

But also, what a funny moment.

I got to peer into Kim’s life as she was gaining interest in boys. She was beginning to notice a desire to couple. And fast. Fast-forward to a mere two weeks later, and she would write more on the subject of her need for a boyfriend.

“I wish I would get asked to our church Sweetheart Banquet. By anybody!” Kim Plumblee, February 5, 1976

By anybody? There’s a twinge of growing desperation. She was only a sophomore in high school. God was awakening her to this idea of boys becoming friends and more than just a friend. She decided she wanted one. Granted, she speaks of having one as if having some possession. It almost sounds like, “I need that album. Everybody else is getting one.” But you have to start somewhere. Give her a break—she’s only fifteen years old. Instead, look at it from another perspective. In God’s providence, he was preparing her for her future marriage.

“An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.” Proverbs 31:10

God was protecting me for her and her for me. Far more precious than jewels. His timing is perfect. If she was growing in desperation in February of 1976, imagine how I was set up for success by the time I came along in 1981. We met just over five years after this entry in her diary.

A timely preparation for future eventualities, indeed.

“Then the Lord God said, ‘ It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.’” Genesis 2:18

One added note: This entry was written over a year ago. As I release it, I’m now nearing three years since Kim’s death, and I’m in the middle of a new providential love story.

6 Comments

    • D. Ray Davis

      Thank you, Kevin!

  1. Sonny Sweatman

    What a special love story! Praying for you!

    • D. Ray Davis

      Thank you, Sonny.

  2. Greg Davis

    Love your story about the diaries! What a special insight the Lord gave you when you discovered those. Kim dreamed of one day finding you, and God made her dreams come true. Without a doubt, she would be happy for you now with your new relationship.

    I really like the way you insert song lyrics throughout your blog. Here’s a song that came to my mind when I read your story about the diaries…

    O, the overwhelming, never ending, reckless love of God

    O, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety nine

    I couldn’t earn it, I don’t deserve it, still You give yourself away

    O, the overwhelming, never ending, reckless love of God

    • D. Ray Davis

      Beautiful, Greg. Thank you for reminding me of this song.

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