Courtney, over at Women Living Well, had a Summer challenge for us. To be the women our man needs! Can you believe this Summer is already coming to an end? Here’s her final question:
Q: This summer, many of you participated in the Marriage Challenge. How did it go? How did it change you and how did it change your marriage?
My A: It’s been amazing, but not perfectly amazing. Just like my relationship with the Lord, I will never arrive in my marriage (thank the Lord, there is always more to know, and more to fall in love with) ! I will never be the perfect wife. My husband will never be the perfect husband. BUT, we can always do better! I know that we have a great marriage, and this challenge only strengthened our relationship! Thank you Courtney!
To My Single Friends Who Long To Be Married
Believe me when I say, I remember where you are! How your heart aches to love another, and be loved back. To have that fairy tale love story, and be featured in a white dress in the finale! When your thoughts and dreams keep you awake at night, wondering if you will ever meet Mr. Right!
When I was 13 years old, I started a journal where I prayed for the type of man I wanted to marry. During my youth group days, my youth pastor’s wife, Carrielynn, had a huge impact on my life. I was pondering something, and one day I asked her. “How did you know that Scott was the right man for you to marry?” She paused, and then wrote 3 things down that she prayed for about him:
1) He must be saved and know the Lord as his personal Savior.
2) I must be able to respect him!
3) Do I like him for the hope of what he can become?
When I went off to Word of Life Bible Institute in the Fall of 1998, I dreamed of finding my Mr. Right there. When graduation day came around and I still had not found him, I was a bit discouraged. Years passed, and I watched friend after friend get married. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. That was me!
Until one day, in the Spring of 2003 I was able to turn some strongholds in my life over to the Lord. It was then, a switch went on in my heart, and I was finally able to be content. I had surrendered everything to Him, and finally was at peace with my singleness.
I met my Mr. Right, just a few months later! We dated for a whole 5 months before we were engaged, and were married 8 months later. A total of 13 months together!
How did I know that he was right for me? He was everything and more than what I had prayed for! Startling, really… how many specifics he had!
So dear friend, who longs to be married… remember these things:
1) Choose to be content where you are. (Phil. 4:11)
Until you can truly be content in your singleness, and turn over any sinful strongholds that have been holding you captive, you will not be fully ready for marriage anyway.
2) Be the women of God he is looking for. (Proverbs 31)
So many times we want that perfect guy for us. We have our lists and can be somewhat of a perfectionist when it comes to finding that perfect guy (as you should, never settle). But don’t forget to be working on yourself! What do you struggle with now? Lay it down at the foot of the cross. Are you taking care of your spiritual and physical body? These are both important life-long disciplines.
3) Pray for him daily, but let God bring him to you. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Pray for him daily. Be specific in your requests and standards; but let God bring him to you. Remember, He knows, even more than yourself, who is best for you. He’s so worth waiting for! Trust me 🙂
4) Bless the Lord in preparation. (Psalm 34:1-10)
In marriage, the wife is to honor and respect her husband. Practice by honoring the Lord, first and foremost in your life!
5) Remember, marriage will not be perfect.
Marriage is the most wonderful gift! I highly recommend it (tee hee). My husband still makes me weak in the knees, even after almost six years of marriage. He is my best friend. We adore one another. We love to be affectionate, to play and have fun, etc. But marriage is not perfect. We have learned SO MUCH about our own selfish, sinful nature, from marriage. It has stretched us, but only brought us closer together. Remember, marriage is not the answer to your lonely heart. Only God can fill that void!
Psalm 107:9
“For He satisfies the longing soul, and
filleth the hungry soul with goodness”
Maybe you know a single lady in your life, who might be encouraged by this post? Feel free to pass it along.
Thanks for visiting!