Would You Say Yes?

Continued from Episode 1: Called into the Unexpected

Hosea had spent days in prayer, wrestling with the weight of the divine nudge. Every logical fiber of his being resisted the thought—marrying Gomer defied reason. Yet, the divine whisper within him never wavered.

He could question. He could doubt. But he could not ignore it.

Obedience meant stepping forward despite the uncertainty. And so, he did.

Yes. Hosea decided to act. He reached out to Gomer, sending a simple message asking her time to meet.

Gomer’s Initial Reaction:

Gomer froze when she saw Hosea’s name pop up on her screen.

Oh no.

Her first instinct was to dismiss it. Maybe he wants to advise me. Preach a sermon about God.

She rolled her eyes, tossing her phone onto the couch. Why do I need that?

But curiosity lingered.

What could a prophet possibly have to say to her?

Finally, she typed back: “Why?”

His response came quickly.

“I have something to discuss with you. An offer.”

She let out a short breath. An offer? From a godly man?

That was new.

She’d had plenty of business offers before—some wrapped in charm, others in transactional promises. She was even part of a few arrangements, all under her terms.

But this felt… different.

Something about it unsettled her. And the more she tried to brush it aside, the more her curiosity grew.

Finally, she sent back: “Alright. Where and when?”

She would listen. But she had no intention of making this easy.

The Café Meeting: A Proposal Like No Other

The café bustled with life—baristas working the espresso machines, quiet conversations weaving through the air, the aroma of freshly ground coffee mingling with the crisp morning breeze.

Gomer stepped inside, her heels clicking against the wooden floor, effortlessly commanding attention. She was used to the lingering glances, the silent intrigue that followed her presence—not through arrogance, but with the ease of someone who knew exactly how to navigate a world where men always wanted something from her.

Then, her eyes landed on Hosea, seated at his usual table by the window. His steady presence is a contrast to the busy hum of the café. He was different from the men she usually met, who came with expectations wrapped in smooth words and shallow charm.

She approached with her usual air of assurance and sat across from him without hesitation.

The waiter appeared almost immediately. Without missing a beat, Gomer flashed a warm, knowing smile. Hosea spoke first. “Americano. Black.” His voice was smooth and confident.

A slight smirk tugged at the corner of Gomer’s lips. “Wow. Simple. Just coffee and conviction.” She tilted her head slightly, then turned to the waiter.

“A tall caramel latte with oat milk, extra foam, please.” Her voice was smooth as if she had said those words a thousand times.

She glanced at Hosea with playful amusement. “You should try it sometime—it’s the best here. Sweet, creamy, smooth—like a warm hug in a cup. Way better than whatever plain drink you probably order.” She let the words linger.

Hosea let out a small chuckle, his expression unreadable but kind. “I’ll take your word for it.”

Hosea leaned back, his lips curving ever so slightly. “Well, let me treat you this time.”

She raised an eyebrow, considering. “Treat?” Her fingers tapped lightly on the table. “Mm. Okay… but next time—if there is a next time—it’s on me.”

If there is a next time.

The words lingered between them, unspoken possibilities hanging in the air.

She leaned back, crossed her legs, and stirred her latte slowly and deliberately as she studied him.

The foam swirled lazily as she watched Hosea with a mix of curiosity and caution. Men like him didn’t usually sit across from women like her.

And when they did, it was to tell her how she was ruining her life.

She wasn’t in the mood for that.

Gomer drummed her fingers against the smooth table surface, her gaze flicking toward Hosea as she took another sip of her latte.

She had met a lot of men in her life. Some came with smooth words, others with veiled propositions. But this?

This was different.

Hosea wasn’t fidgeting. He wasn’t scanning the room, stealing glances at her like she was some kind of conquest. He just sat there, calm, still—like a man who had already made up his mind about something.

That intrigued her and also irritated her.

Hosea shook his head. “No.”

She raised an eyebrow, tilting her head. “Oh, so it’s a business offer then?” She let out a knowing smirk. “Just so you know, I’m already hands full with important business partnerships in place. I’m well set and doing extremely well in life.”

Hosea leaned forward slightly, his voice unwavering. “My offer for you is to marry you.”

The words landed like a thunderclap.

With her fingers tightening around the cup, she stared at him, trying to decode what she had just heard.

This man is serious.

Her laugh was short, incredulous, as she shook her head. “You… want to marry me?”

Hosea nodded, his gaze unwavering. “Not because of who you’ve been, but because of who you can become.”

The air between them stilled. She looked at his face, searching for the hidden agenda, the unspoken condition.

“You’re serious?” she asked.

Hosea watched her for a moment, not with the curiosity of a stranger but with the understanding gaze of someone who saw beyond the surface. There was no judgment in his eyes, only a quiet sincerity.

“You’ve been looking for love in all the wrong places, haven’t you?” he asked softly, his voice cutting through the café’s ambient chatter.

The question caught her off guard, but Gomer quickly recovered, letting out a small laugh. “And what would you know about love, prophet?” she said, her tone a mix of charm and skepticism.

Hosea didn’t flinch. “Enough to see that you’re tired.”

Her smirk faltered for just a second.

“Enough to know that what you’re chasing will never fill the void you’re trying to escape.”

“Void? Escape?” She scoffed. “You don’t know anything about me. I’d say I’m doing just fine. Life’s good—no complaints here.”

Hosea leaned forward slightly. “Sometimes, the loudest declarations of contentment hide the deepest loneliness.”

Gomer stiffened. She didn’t like this.

Gomer’s chest tightened.

No one had ever spoken to her like this before.

No one had looked at her like this before.

Without expectation. Without desire.

Just offering something she didn’t know how to name.

Dangerous.

That’s what this was.

She let out a dry laugh, shaking her head as if to shake off the weight of the moment. “You’re serious?”

She stared at him. Her mind was racing, but her body stayed still.

She should reject this. She should walk out right now and never think about this again. But she couldn’t.

Something about his words held her captive—like he was offering a glimpse of something she had spent years unknowingly searching for.

Still, walls weren’t so easily torn down.

She cleared her throat, reaching for her defenses. “I… I don’t know what to say.” Her voice was hesitant, unsure—an unfamiliar feeling for her. “I’ll… think about it.”

And just like that, she stood, her coffee cup still in her grasp like a lifeline.

“Thanks for the coffee, Hosea. I’ll… let you know.”

Hosea watched her leave, his face calm but his heart heavy.

He had done what he was called to do.

And now, all he could do was wait.

What will Gomer’s decision be?

Will she trust Hosea’s love and take the leap, or will fear and doubt pull her back into the life she knows so well?

What will Gomer’s decision be?
Will she trust Hosea’s love and take the leap, or will fear and doubt pull her back into the life she knows so well?

To find out, subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode in this powerful journey of love, grace, and redemption.

Hosea’s words weren’t just for Gomer.

They echo a deeper truth—a love far beyond human understanding.

“To show you a love that isn’t about possession or control, but dignity, respect, and a life filled with meaning.” This wasn’t just Hosea’s offer. It’s God’s.

A God who doesn’t love us for who we’ve been but for who we can become in Him.

A love that isn’t based on what we offer but on who He is.

God's offer is not transactional. But sacrificial.

God's door is open for you. Act before it is too late.

To be continued…

Dear friend,

If you’ve enjoyed this story, I encourage you to share it with your friends and family. Let’s spread the message of hope and reflection, reminding others that love—true, unconditional love—is worth pursuing.

Note: This article is part of the series From Adultery to Atonement. You can read the introduction here.

Episode 1: Called into the Unexpected