In Part I, I promised to tell you my other tale with a happy ending, the "Cinderella" storybook romance of how I met and married my husband. As stated, I had become a Christian at age 15 and, when I was about 18, I began to ask God for a husband. As I prayed, the Lord told me to wait for Him, and He would take care of this matter. So, I began to wait and continued to pray and embrace the promises in God’s Word. For the next 22 years I did this!! [More about this kind of praying can be found at How To Stand On God's Promises.] It was very hard not to take matters into my own hands, but I knew I must obey the Lord because He would find me a much better husband than I could do. I knew if I disobeyed God, I would make a mess of my life.

Still, I didn't know why He was taking so long and, meanwhile, I was getting older all the time. I nervously began to notice that my prospects were not very promising. I learned that, in the world at large, there were many more women than men, that this fact was even worse among believers, that there were even fewer seriously committed, mature men among those that named themselves by the Name of Christ and, finally, of those scant few, now almost all of them in my age group were already married. Then, of course, a potential mate needed to be compatible with and be interested in you, be called to the same life’s mission, etc., etc..

The bleakness of the situation looked worse and worse with every passing year, and the devil thrust these impossible odds in my face continually. The utter hopelessness of the situation could not be ignored as I left first my 20's, next my 30's, and then started into my 40's. Sometimes the devil would suggest that I take matters into my own hands, that the Lord had forgotten me, that I would be left empty-handed if I insisted on a committed Christian man, and so forth.

Insensitive acquaintances, even believers, would say, “You are now too old to get married. Give up the idea.” Sometimes I would get discouraged and weary in my prayers, but God would send someone or something to encourage me. Down in my heart, I knew what God had said, and I determined all the more not to be denied. Also, during these many years, my godly mother’s faith and support was invaluable as she never wavered in her belief that God would abundantly fulfill this desire. The Lord Himself would also challenge me to believe that His promises in the Bible had unseen power over the natural world, and that they would slowly and surely change my circumstances as I saturated myself with them. In the Bible (book of Luke, chapter 8, verse 50), Jesus urged a man in another desperate looking situation, “Don’t be afraid; only believe,” and I felt Him telling me the same thing.

Over time God made it clear that He wanted me to take my eyes OFF the situation altogether and keep them fixed ONLY upon His Word. He exhorted me with such Scriptures as 2 Corinthians 5:7, “We walk by faith, and NOT by sight;” Hebrews 10:38, “The just shall live by faith;” Mark 9:23, “Everything is possible for him who believes,” and, lastly, Galatians 6:9, “Do not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season you shall reap if you faint not.” He taught me that His Word was more true than the negative circumstances I was seeing, and to consider these discouragements as lying deceptions. And so I persevered, little by little, day by day, year after year.

Finally, after about 22 years, I met a godly, eligible man through a job I was working on. I respected and liked this exceptionally fine man VERY much but said nothing, so he did not know. I prayed hard for several months, asking the Lord for a chance to get to know Bob better and for him to like me, but it looked impossible as he lived in a far-away town and had now stopped coming to my job to do business, so I never saw him anymore.

However, surprisingly, one day Bob showed up outside of my apartment but, instead of coming to my door, he knocked on the door of the apartment directly next to mine, and began to court another Christian sister who was living there. I was horrified and greatly discouraged, and didn't know what had gone wrong with my prayers!! Meanwhile, Bob continued to travel all the way from his city to my city to visit the girl next door. This went on once or twice a week for a long year and a half, and through my window I would see them drive off together time and time again. To make matters worse, I was good friends with my neighbor’s sister but, although I was in terrible anguish, I said nothing to her about this matter.

At last, however, Bob and my neighbor concluded that God had another plan for their lives, and they broke up. A little while after this, Bob moved to our area to join a local church and I began to run into him occasionally, once even at a social event given by my neighbor’s sister. I was excited that Bob was now unattached, and continued to be very interested and impressed by him. But still I said nothing to anyone except my mother, and only kept praying.

Then, a year after breaking up with my neighbor, Bob asked me out and, in a rapid whirlwind of events, we were married only three months later (October 7, 2000) -- with great rejoicing! Neither one of us had been married; Bob was nearly 46 and I was nearly 43. This marriage was a wonderful miracle and timely answer to prayer for me as I loved Bob very much. Also, although I didn't realize it at the time, the Lord Jesus was about to take both my parents home to Heaven, which would have left me quite alone in the world.

So, nearly 25 years and many trials of faith later, I publicly testify that God does indeed answer prayer, that He keeps His promises, and that patience pays off! His timing is perfect. Those who wait for God to move will never come out behind. Believe me, the results have certainly been well worth the wait!! It is far better to let God have His way in a situation, even if it seems to take a long time. Meanwhile, during the wait, God changes you and strengthens your character, and teaches you about Himself. He did this for both Bob and I during those many years. And, speaking of which, “delayed gratification” sure makes something sweet once it finally comes along! Everything has indeed worked together for good, just as the Bible promises in the book of Romans, chapter 8, verse 28.

Bob and I have been in marital bliss ever since our wedding day. I marvel daily at the thoughtful, loving man God has given me — a true gift from Heaven in every way and a joy to live with. It is a tremendous privilege to be joined to someone of such integrity and who has so unreservedly served Jesus Christ with his whole life.

In conclusion, I leave you with these thoughts. First, in regards to Heaven, it is impossible to have eternal life without going through God’s son, Jesus. Secondly, in regards to this world, it is impossible to have God’s best without doing things God’s way. Here is a beautiful bit of truth someone once shared with me:

Amen! God doesn’t show favorites. What goodness He has shown to me He will show to everyone who accepts Him as Savior, who believes His Word, and who waits patiently for His answers. He is such a good and gracious and loving Father.

May you also live happily ever after, and may you see your own blessings come to pass in due time.