Finding Love

CHAPTER 5

A New Life

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 

After returning back home to Atlanta, Ruth was excited about her mother's wedding and helped with the planning right away. She found work immediately with a local paper and worked on several columns before finding herself and her niche. Ruth developed into a great journalist in such a short period of time. Her mother was very proud of her accomplishments and would often encourage her to always put God first. Ruth created her own story and was pleased with the outcome as she pushed at everything she did. She did not open her heart up to easily after Caleb and moved carefully even when she dated. Ruth met Serenity a secretary at the newspaper and they became good friends. She became engulfed with work and poured much of her time into her work assignments for the next two years.

Two years later

Serenity shook her head and leaned next to Ruth's door. "Ruth Dawkins, I am convinced you are obsessed with work," she declared. Ruth looked up at her friend and invited her to come into her office and take a seat. "I am not obsessed just passionate about the stories  I write," she confessed with a grin. "Are you going out with me tonight?" Serenity asked. "I don't know. I have this story to finish," Ruth admitted looking at her laptop. Serenity looked at her disappointed. She was growing weary of Ruth's excuses. "How are you ever going to find love if you are always busy?" Serenity scolded. "Wait on God," Ruth said. "Ruth, I think you plan to stay a virgin forever," Serenity said in defeat. "Serenity, do not air my business out in the office. You know I am waiting for my husband," Ruth scolded her. "Sorry, but it is frustrating watching you not making an effort to enjoy your life. "Do you think the man of your dreams is going to drop out of the sky?" Serenity said. "Maybe, "Ruth teased. "God works in mysterious ways," Ruth smiled.

"And faith without works is dead. You have to give God something to work with," Serenity said sternly. "Yes ma'am," Ruth laughed. Suddenly, Ruth's phone started to ring and she picked up the call. "Hey Malissa," Ruth said. "Hey Malissa," Serenity said in the background. Ruth was happy both of her friends hit it off well after she introduced them both. However, Ruth realized they both were annoying when it came to her dating life. "Please put me on speaker," Malissa said cheerfully. Ruth rolled her eyes. She was not in the mood to be ganged up on when it came to her love life. She obeyed reluctantly. "Hi, how are you?" Serenity asked Malissa. "Fantastic!" Malissa admitted. "You sound extra cheerful. Did something happen recently?" Serenity asked.

"Well, you guys know I have been dating Tristan for the last three years," Malissa confessed. "And......" Ruth chimed in waiting for some news. "He proposed last night and I said yes," Malissa said. Both Serenity and Ruth screamed. "I'm so happy for you," Ruth cried. "Congratulations," Serenity clapped enthusiastically. "What's new with you guys?" Malissa ask. Serenity looked at Ruth waiting for her to respond. "Nothing at all," Ruth said glaring back at her. "Am I missing something?" Malissa said sensing something was up. "I can't get Ruth to go out or date. She has become obsessed with work," Serenity admitted.

"I know she can be stubborn when it comes to her dating life," Malissa said remembering their college years together. "But don't give up on her," Malissa giggled. "I am trying to get her to go out," Serenity stated. "I do hope she is not still in love with Caleb," Serenity mumbled. "I am not. It's been two years since college. I am over him," Ruth stated sternly. There was silence from both of her friends who felt she had built up walls and was not open enough to find love.

"Ruth, I have something to tell you," Malissa said softly. "Okay, what is it?" Ruth said concerned. "Caleb's engaged. It was announced in the papers and on social media a day ago. His fiancee's father is a Senator and she is an upcoming Pediatrician," Malissa explained. "That's great. I know his mother is happy to have the right fit in her family," Ruth said.  "I pray that he is happy," Ruth said. "Ruth, we are your girls. Give it to us straight. How do you feel about this?" Serenity asked. "Yeah, Ruth I know it was not easy walking away from him," Malissa added. "I am fine. I closed that chapter of my life three years ago. I knew we both would eventually meet new people and move on with our lives," Ruth reassured them. "Great, if you are okay we are okay," Malissa said. "With that being said I think you should go out and celebrate the complete closure to that relationship," Serenity said. "Give her time to process it all," Malissa suggested. "Okay, okay," Serenity finally threw in the towel. All she wanted was for her beautiful twenty-four-year-old friend to enjoy her life.