I was not prepared to be a wife.
For my entire adult life, I had been a career-driven single. Working with mission agencies and churches was my passion. But I also desired to be married and to share the rest of my life with one special person.
Getting married a few months before my fortieth birthday answered my prayer. I was so excited. But nothing could have prepared me for the conversation I had with my new husband on the way home from our honeymoon.
“God has not released me,” he said.
After losing his job in California during our engagement, he had visited the Carolinas a couple of months before our marriage to test the job market. He was overwhelmed with interviews, but no job offer.
“But we had a deal,” I said.
During our engagement, we agreed that unless he received a job offer we both would return to California where I had a steady full-time job with a large multi-campus church. Returning to North Carolina meant being closer to my family, but quitting the one job between us was not something I wanted to do. No income. No insurance. No security. Part of me longed to dig my heels into the ground and scream, “No.”
I realized I knew nothing about being a wife. One week before our wedding ceremony, our pastor integrated Ruth’s promise into our vows. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. What kind of wife would I be if I turned my back on those words just one week after I promised them?
“But, Lord, I’m scared, very scared.”
Trust me.
The words came softly to my spirit, and I knew the Lord had spoken. Did I really trust Him enough to take this leap of faith? I took some deep, heavy breaths. This was not what I had in mind, but I knew what I had to do. That night, I sat down with my husband and agreed to follow him as he followed God. One step of faith at a time. One day at a time. And God was true to His promise.
Taking a step of faith is often difficult when we are unsure of what lies ahead. Fear often grips us. This is where faith comes in. Faith to trust God at His Word. Faith to believe He won’t leave us. Faith to take one simple step.
God will prove true to His promises to you.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
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Yes, sweet Carolyn. His name is Faithful and True.
Looking forward to reading this