Happily Ever After, or, Ode to Hortensia

When I had the privilege of going to work with Auntie Trinie on the Christian magazine she edited, Voz en el desierto, she introduced me to a world of colorful characters. Those I didn't get to meet, she told me about. One of them was the never-to-be-forgotten Hortensia.

Auntie met the vibrant Presby (short for Presbyterian) through her decades-long link with that denomination. Although herself of the full gospel persuasion, Presbyterian friends who rubbed elbows with Auntie were so impressed by her solid values and down-to-earth way of communicating God's truths, that she was often asked to lead Presbyterian study groups for women. This led to her friendship with the infamous Hortensia, a red-blooded chilanga (Mexican slang for someone from Mexico City).

By the time Auntie met her, Hortensia was already middle aged, unmarried, and labeled an old maid. In a previous blog, I shared a hilarious story Auntie would tell about her friend that would leave us holding our stomachs from laughing so much. But there is another Hortensia story that Auntie, master raconteur that she was, told and retold so many times that I came to hold it as an excellent example of the attitude we should have towards our Lord. Just as the first story shared, this, too, involved a taxi.

As Hortensia's driver whisked her through the Mexico City streets, he, unlike most taxi drivers, tried to start up a conversation with her.

"Are you married?" he ventured to ask. Hortensia raised her eyebrows. Hmm ... a single woman in a taxi with an unknown man? A recipe for disaster, as in murder shows that end badly?—or an opportunity to share about the love of her life? It only took her a second to decide how to answer.

With a decisive nod she replied, "Yes, as a matter of fact, I am." Hortensia didn't think it wise to tell a man she didn't know that she was going home to a house without a man present, and the Bible does say that we, God's children, are part of the bride of Christ, so technically she wasn't lying.

The nosy driver couldn't help himself. Looking at her through the rear view mirror he asked, "And what kind of a husband is he to you? Is he kind and generous?"

Hortensia smiled. "You better believe it! He is the best husband of all! He coddles me, He constantly showers me with wonderful gifts ... As a matter of fact, anything I want He gives me!"

The driver made appreciative noises as Hortensia basked in the reality that her Heavenly Husband loved her far better than any earthly husband could have ever loved her.

I think Auntie had an affinity for this story because she had been called by God (with an audible voice, no less!) to remain single in His service. I think it blessed her to think how her wonderful Heavenly Husband outshone any earthly one she could have had.

What I took away from this story was the key to a Happily Ever After, the realization that no earthly mate can compare to our Heavenly One. Fullness of joy does not come from a relationship with anyone here on earth. It comes from a very real and viable relationship with Jesus.

I was an "older" bride, one who earned the epithet, "You are too picky, Janine! At this rate, you're never going to get married!" But I had learned, through Hortensia and others, that I was not to look for fulfillment of joy, my Knight in Shining Armor, if you will, in a mere man.

Putting our hope for joy in a person with clay feet is a recipe for disappointment. Only Jesus can fill the role of Hero to Idolize. An earthly relationship cannot in itself be the conduit for obtaining joy; it succeeds only when Jesus is put first and when both parties subject themselves to His headship. No relationship—be it spouse or friend—can in itself bring completeness or fullness of joy, for any human, no matter how sweet or kind, will always disappoint at some point in time. While "Happily Ever After" is possible here on earth (Psalm 27:13)—it can only come through Jesus, through knowing Him, by walking with Him.

May your life be filled not only with Hortensia-like Heavenly boldness for Jesus, but with the joy that comes from an honest-to-goodness enduring relationship with our perfect Heavenly Bridegroom.

"For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name" (Isaiah 54:5).

"For I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:2).