Don’t Be Afraid of the Wait: My Love Story

I had stopped dating. Not one guy on the horizon and I was happy. My spiritual growth was off-the-charts and I was becoming a new person while I focused on myself for a bit. The change I saw in myself was good. I could handle waiting for the man God would bring me.

…My mom could not.

She was convinced I would die an old maid, alone with my cat. She constantly nagged me to “get out there and date!” I, on the other hand, was perfectly content resting in God and His timing in my life. He and I had become good partners- I could hear His voice without question, and He could speak and expect me to listen. I figured if He had someone in mind for me, I would be the first to know.

My mom decided to play matchmaker and shorten the waiting game. She connected me with a guy named Joey whom she swore would be amazing.

Joey, circa 165 pounds.

I laughed and told her not to hold her breath. I was given an email address for this random guy from Texas and was told to “GO FOR IT!!” She would have died if she had read that first email. In summary, I let this supposed “godly” guy know what’s up: I was serious about my relationship with God and I didn’t play games with my faith. Either he was passionate about his relationship with Christ and his life reflected that, or he wasn’t worth my time.

No one has ever accused me of being subtle.

His response? “I am serious in my faith, too. It sounds like we are on the same page.”

Hmm. I didn’t expect that. I guess maybe I could respond? At least be polite. And he wrote back again. Apparently I hadn’t scared him off. My heart started to beat a little harder each time I read his words on the screen. Soon, I rushed to check my email several times a day. I learned more about Joey with each word I read. An entire month passed and we still hadn’t talked on the phone (I’m not kidding when I say I was incredibly cautious). I was on edge from past bad experiences and I wasn’t sure I would know what to do next.

Can I tell you something?

When we open ourselves to hear from God, He will speak to us.

When we open ourselves to hear from God, He will speak to us.

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And God spoke to me then. He calmed my heart and reassured me that I was okay in pursing this relationship. Joey finally asked for my number. I remember getting goosebumps waiting for the call.

Within minutes of hearing his voice, I knew I would marry Joey.

No joke.

I even looked at the clock at the exact moment I felt it: we had been talking for 15 minutes. I had never met Joey in person, yet God made it abundantly obvious that we would be together. We spent the next 7 hours on the phone and were married two years later.

For the entirety of our marriage, I have seen my husband stay true to who he claimed to be:

A guy serious about his faith.

I worked alongside him when he became a youth pastor at the age of 23.

I sang next to him as he led others into worship as an Arts Director.

I watched as his passion for leading people back to God resulted baptizing his closest friends.

I eventually followed him all the way to Texas at God’s prompting

(Yeah. We totally dress like this every day now.)

This man loves me every day with the love of Christ: Abundantly and full of grace.

Do I think it was a coincidence that I found my future husband the way I did? No way. Do I think that if I had searched hard enough, I could have found him? Not a chance. Do I believe God brought us together at the perfect time, and that my waiting had purpose? Absolutely.

If we honor God with our obedience to his call, he will show us exactly how to grow and what steps to take next. Whether that is in your relationship or job, the house you buy or the money you spend, God will lead the way. He led me across three states and into the arms of a man with whom I would share my life. Love isn’t just about the person you find, but the person you become in the waiting.

Love isn’t just about the person you find, but the person you become in the waiting

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Don’t be afraid of the wait.

*All my single ladies: Check out this for an encouraging word. Don’t worry- I’ve got your back!

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