This Is The Man I Prayed For

 Several years ago, I began to pray for a man I’d never met. I didn’t know his name and I didn’t know if he’d ever come along. I did know that I had a whole lot of love to give to the right man, a godly man. So, I asked God to grant me my heart’s desire.

I asked God to send me a man who loves Christ more than anything else and a man with a heart just like His: the heart of the Lion and the Lamb. I asked for a man who was gentle and kind. A man who would love me and Riley unconditionally, but also a man who would fight to help guard my heart and advocate for my little special needs hero. I asked God for him to be someone I could play with and pray with; a person to be my best friend and true partner. And then I asked God to help me know that He is enough and He is all I will ever need because no one or no thing is greater.

Unbeknownst to me, at the same time, CJ was praying for God to bring a godly companion into his life. He wanted someone who loves Jesus and walks with Him, someone whose life reflects the Lord, not just playing lip-service. (His words, not mine! )

And unbeknownst to the both of us, his mother had been praying a long time for his happiness. She didn’t know what form it would take, but she asked God for it every day.

Eleven months ago today, the prayers of three different people in three different cities were answered with a couple of “I do’s!” I can’t believe it has been almost a year since I married this man. This man who has become my best friend, this goofy dude that makes me laugh until I cry is also the man who once told me, “Your heart is safe with me but more importantly your heart is safe with Jesus. Don’t put your hopes in me. I am not a perfect man, put your trust in the Lord. He will never fail you.” (Yes, I saved that text message! ) He has truly shown me Christ’s love and that’s TRUE LOVE, y’all!

You may not be perfect but I do believe you are God’s chosen perfect for me! Happy 11 months, CJ. Let’s do a couple hundred more!! (Is that a really long time? I was told there would be no math!)

(**UPDATE: Turns out, a couple hundred months is only 16 2/3 years so I’d like to amend my earlier statement. I still don’t like math though.)