How I met Prince Charming!

Everyone has a story of how they met their Prince Charming. Yours maybe be more exciting than others. Or maybe, more awkward than others. Well, let me give you a chance to make the judgment in my situation.

January 2007 was when it all started in South Bend Indiana. For those of you who don't know, January is the coldest, snowiest month of the year with icy roads. As the weather forecaster always says, "if you have no reason to be outside, stay indoors." For several years, I made it a habit to journal important events in my life. Specifically, to look back with a thankful heart and see what lies ahead of me.

                           

      (we are no ordinary couple, we have a supernatural deliverer, Jesus Christ.)  

January 30th is a big deal in my little world. As I sat alone in my empty apartment, I could hear the echo's of my breath. Usually, waiting to receive a call from my parents and siblings who remembered to wish me well. And yes, when my dad remembered, he usually will sing for me. Oh! What special memories I now cherish.

This was my 26th birthday and I decided to take a different approach to my journaling. Yes, I was single or say, was tired of long distance over the phone dating. Good luck to all involved in this emotional heart wrecking dating experience. As I starting pouring my heart out in my journal, there was one thing I wanted. To be married. 

In my mind, I knew what I wanted. I was not going to compromise my values. It didn't take me long after a phone conversation/date with a guy to know their heart level with things. It was easy to make a date funeral and move on after just one conversation.  Some of you reading this need to move on from your current wrecked relationships. Pick a day and plan the emotional funeral; that day is today. 

Anyways, because twenty six was the number of the year, I came up with a list of twenty six things I wanted in a husband. Don't worry, I will share the list with you some other time.

At the top of the list was "A man that fears The Lord"! This was the key focal point. Well, it helped me with what to look for and listen to. I told God to take over the search because I was not going to worry about it. Did He not tell us to cast our burdens to Him?

        (Never did I imagine this trip to Boston was an ordained set up by God. Our steps are guided by The Lord, we are in the right place at the right time sensitive to our environment)

Fast forward August 2007, I traveled to Boston to attend a family friend's graduation. If you know me, you know I love to work and help. We were like family anyways. Is this not what friends do? To be there for each other.

Before this visit, I always had dreams and revelations about things. I was used to the voice of the Holy Spirit showing and telling me things. Little did I know The Holy Spirit had a surprise for me. It was normal to discern His voice about things; the reason I was able to make a list and hand it over to God.

As we cleaned, cooked and organized the house, my friend's uncle helped with moving the heavy stuff around (I will refer to him as "uncle"). After a busy afternoon of organization,  we all sat on the table to eat and relax. My spoon fell under the table. As I reached out for it, my eyes noticed some ashy feet that needed washed. All of a sudden, I heard a familiar voice(The Holy Spirit) "wash his feet." 

“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.”

John 13:14 KJV

Now, the wrestle with God begins. My soul talking to God. "No no no no! God you must be joking! I'm not going to wash his feet. Besides, he is not in my age bracket, plus he has a child already! Oh no God! This is not him! I did not come here looking for a husband." I could see God standing and laughing at me. "You told me to help you. Trust in me and I will teach you what love is. I AM love!"

From this point on, I distanced myself from "uncle" through out the party. I really did not want to have anything to do with him and talked less. After the party, I needed to visit my relatives one hour away the next day. 

Guess what? "Uncle" opted to drive me there. This was awkward! He was the only one willing and available to take me there. 

As we started out the drive, I was silent timid and nervous. So, the question came; What type of music will you like to listen to? Me; Gospel! Wooow! Gospel music he replied? You don't find many ladies your age listening to gospel music. I have one in here. It's Joel Osteen worship band. Me: You know Joel Osteen? I go to bed with Lakewood worship song always. I fall asleep easily listening to gospel music. This turned off the silence switch in the car as I got excited we had something in common. We talked about how encouraging Joel's messages were and the impact he had on us. This made the one hour drive feel like ten minutes.

The interesting part was, when we got to my relatives, everyone suspected we had something going on. I told them no, which no one believed me. Anyways, I was not going to argue on this. Maybe it was a confirmation. lol!

On our drive back, "uncle" asked me if I'm interested in visiting New York sometime in October where he lived. Joel Osteen had a concert at Madison Square Garden with his worship band. It happened to be the same week I had a break from school. He became the point of focus in most of our discussions and we shared his messages with each other.

                                                             (Heading back to Indiana from Boston August 2007)

I left Boston back to Indiana and we exchanged numbers. Three months down the road He asked to marry me, and six months later we started the marriage journey. We have several wedding dates due to our Cameroonian culture and paper issues.

To you still looking for a spouse, I pray this encourages you. He or she may not come as perfect as your dream, expectant, out of this world(utopia) list contains. Our faith in Christ was our focus. Have a standard but be willing to be flexible. The best gifts never come in pretty packed boxes. Jesus, our eternal rock was born in a stable. He was not the warrior king the Jews were expecting to come in chariots and defeat the Romans. He was humble and lowly yet, the savior of the world. The Prince of Peace and deliverer.

          

For those married and wanting their spouse to change. You can't change a man, but you can change his clothes. Be the change in a your marriage. The only person you can change is you. You are the change your marriage needs. Your spouse will notice the change in you through your good actions and attitude towards them. Remember, it is the goodness of God that draws men unto repentance.

 It is The Holy Spirit that changes the heart of men. Wash his/her feet with the love of God shed in your heart by the Holy Spirit. Marriage is service to each other.

And yes! I went and bought a home pedi set. The first time he visited me three months later, I offered to wash his feet; cut his toe nails and gave those once ashy feet a complete makeover. He never forgets and yes I still do when I get the chance.

“Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife...but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.”

1 Corinthians 7:3, 33-34 KJV

Each day is a blessing as we go through the good and challenges life throws at us. With Christ at the helm we are victorious in Him who called us into His service.