Waiting for Wonderful
When I was in high school, I was blessed to have a lot of titles. Cheerleader. Honors Student. Student Body President. Youth Group Leader. But there was one title I was very displeased with.
Dateless.
I think I was the only one to graduate from high school without being asked out. Ever. No roller rink dates. No fast food jaunts.
Nothing. Nada. Zilch.
But God had given me a promise.
I went to a Christian school and one day after chapel, I was praying about my dateless state. To my surprise, the speaker came up to me and said, “I believe God has a message for you. He’s preparing a man of God for your life.” I cried tears of joy because like Hannah at the altar, I felt like my prayers had been heard.
Mr. Wonderful was coming!
Starry eyed, I began attending a Christian college where I thought for sure I would meet my match. After all, there were so many new, cute Christian boys everywhere! But once again, dateless. Four years later, I received my BA but alas, no MRS degree.
Months turned into years. I was in my late twenties and once again, dateless. But God had given me a promise.
I’m very happy to say Mr. Wonderful did finally come along. The first time I ever saw James, he was flipping hamburgers at a welcome barbeque at the graduate school we both attended. It wasn’t love at first sight at the condiment bar, but he did catch my eye. We became good friends and it was perfectly clear to me that he was THE ONE.
Unfortunately, it took him longer to catch this revelation so once again, I was waiting.
A few months later, James asked me on our first date to Outback Steakhouse. Thank God he talked to a friend who discouraged him from taking me to Dairy Queen! At dessert, he pulled out a red rose and a yellow rose which he had discreetly hidden in his jacket.
He said, “We’ve been friends for a long time and I want to date you and see if there’s something more.” From that moment forward, we were inseparable. Five months later we were engaged. Mr. Wonderful had truly arrived and he surpassed all my high expectations.
That was 17 years ago and marrying James was definitely worth the wait. This month of love and Valentine’s Day, remember your story.
Remember how your stomach churned when your future spouse walked in the room.
Remember how you used to sit on the couch for, well, a long time, kissing?
Remember how grateful you were to find each other?
Never forget your story. Your spouse is an answered prayer. A deep longing fulfilled. A sign of God’s faithfulness.
How did your story begin with your spouse? Where did you meet? How long had you waited to find the love of your life?
Blessings,
Arlene Pellicane
(By the way, if you need a little help jogging your memory, why don’t you consider joining James and me on a Cruise to a Happy Marriage to the Caribbean?)
