{love this photo by Arrow & Apple}
I believe in the way God knits two people together when they stand before Him on their wedding day. Something sacred happens in that moment, something that will, with grace and intention and faith and hard work, build upon itself and grow in power and beauty and durability, with each passing year.
(Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist)
I believe in that, too — and even though I’m not there yet in my own life, I do hope to see that heart’s desire fulfilled. The truth is, if I’m honest, I certainly thought by this point in my life I’d be engaged or married — or at least dating that person. But to re-quote something else from Shauna Niequist: “Life with God at its core is about giving your life up to something bigger and more powerful. It’s about saying at every turn that God knows better than we know, and that His Spirit will lead us in ways that we couldn’t have predicted.”
So, that’s what I’m trying to do. Trust — really trust — that He knows better than I do, and that I’m on the path I’m on for a reason.
And I’m praying boldly.
As I wrote about, here, I’m participating in an online prayer group for women who want to pray boldly for their future spouses/marriages. Periodically, I’ll be posting updates like this one, sharing with you how prayer is working in my life and what the Lord is revealing to me through the process of being a part of a focused prayer group.
August update:
A few days ago, the Lord laid it on my heart to start reading Proverbs 31:10-31 each day for the next month. I’m excited to see how He uses this in my life and my walk. I know I can be living these attributes out now, blessing others, while I wait on the Lord.
So far, I’ve been focusing on her strength. (The word “strength” appears a few times in Proverbs 31:10-31.) A few days ago, I looked up passages with the word strength and jotted them in my journal, asking myself, what does strength look like for a Godly woman/wife, and in what ways does the Lord provide strength to all who seek him?
* * *
I’m excited to continue to learn and pray. And in this season of singleness and waiting, I feel truly blessed to be discovering more and more of who God created me to be. He inspires me on a daily basis and reveals new adventures and creative pursuits that are wonderfully fulfilling. He blesses me with incredible friendships that add color and meaning to my days and family time that nourishes my spirit. So, even on the days when I look at my life and think, When God? I’m ready, and I’m so excited to meet a Godly man, a best friend to share my life with…
I know I have to trust where I’m at and appreciate this season for all it has to give me.
If you’re particpating in our Women Praying Boldly initiative, know that I’m praying for you, and I look forward to hearing your own unique stories. Let me leave you with this last encouraging quote from Shauna Niequist:
Part of being a married couple means that you create a new identity together, woven from your experiences and histories and lives…
I love that, because I know that my history will add to his, and together, our story will unfold exactly as it’s meant to — at just the right time — with God orchestrating each and every beautiful moment.
