June 1973
I met Dru at Southside Assembly of God's Wednesday night Bible Study. When I first saw her I thought she was a very nice looking girl, but I didn't ask her out or even persue her for one reason - I didn't think she was that spiritual. No kidding, that was the reason. Otherwise she was great in every way.
During the month I stayed with Ray in Jacksonville, Dru hung out with us a lot. It seemed that everywhere Ray and I went Dru was there. Then to top it off, even when I went places by myself she was there. She wasn't stalking me, because oftentimes they were chance encounters - in fact, so many chance encounters that I began to wonder if it was meant to be - and I loved being with her.
It turns out Dru liked me but thought I was shy and thus didn't make any moves. But one day after about 4 weeks of seeing Dru it hit me like a ton of bricks and I got convicted.
Conviction is that uneasy feeling like you did or are doing something wrong. It is much like guilt, but guilt gnaws away at you without any solution. Conviction gnaws away but provides solutions that make you better. When the solution is put into place, conviction goes away.
I got convicted big time! I was being judgmental. It was the best conviction I ever got. I accepted it with open arms as I accepted Dru with open arms and began a two year relationship that turned into engagement.
However, after 2 years our relationship simply stalled and we broke up remaining very good friends. Years later, I heard that Dru married a local television newscaster, and I met Kim, got married and had 2 kids - both girls.
By the way, if you look at other Christians and think they aren't as spiritual or aren't as good a Christian as you are, do yourself a favor... knock it off.
