Last night, we had dinner with my husband's uncle and his girlfriend then headed back to their house to relax in the hot tub. A family friend came over to visit and hang out with us too and our conversation led to church and dating. This family friend attends the same church that my DH and I attend and we began discussing the different ministries our church offers. We were recommending that she join the ministry for her age group in the hopes of finding a boyfriend/husband. Out of no where she becomes extremely upset, begins to cry, and says "I have joined this ministry and I feel like I am NEVER going to find someone. I might as well face it that I am going to be single FOREVER!" My heart just broke in TWO :( She was not upset at us, just upset at her situation and was expressing her frustration in trying to find the perfect MATCH.
I immediately felt as if I have been taking for granted how lucky and blessed I am to have found my perfect MATCH. On the way home I started to reflect on how my DH and I met and the struggles I was dealing with at that time.
It was 2003 and I had recently been dumped after a 5 year relationship. Needless to say, I was absolutely devastated! I kept thinking over and over again how successful I was and how I just couldn't believe this had happened to me...I had a Bachelor's Degree, I was working on my Master's Degree, I had a great job teaching middle school math and dance, I was the co-owner of a local dance studio, BUT I was 29 years old and SINGLE!!! I honestly felt as if my life was going no where and just couldn't figure out how I had gone wrong in the MARRIAGE department. I had (have) a great group of friends that I hung out with, but didn't have a clue how I was going to meet someone new. My best friend recommended that I join Match.com to just see how it worked.
I set up my profile and started to meet a few people. I did go out on several dates, but like I had expected, people were dishonest...they didn't look like the pictures they had posted on their profile, they were younger (or older) than what they said they were, or they just weren't my type. I had decided to go ahead and let me subscription expire when another prospect began talking to me. We talked on the computer for weeks, talked on the phone for hours, but I just wasn't ready to go out on a date yet...I had been burned so many times and I just couldn't let myself be disappointed again. On the night before my 30th birthday (which I was NOT looking forward to) we had been talking on the phone and finally hung up close to 11:30 or 11:45 p.m. I had finally fallen asleep when my phone rang at midnight. I picked it up wondering who in the world would be calling me so late...to my surprise, it was the prospect calling! He wanted to be the FIRST person to wish me happy birthday on my 30th birthday. Can you say..."he had me at Happy Birthday!"
So yes, my DH and I met through Match. com!! We dated for two years, got engaged in 2005, and then married 6 months later. When you know...you just know.
I remember all the nights I spent praying and praying that God would send me the perfect MATCH. And I truly believe that all those prayers are what kept me going. Here are just a few of the verses that I have highlighted in my Bible from that time of my life:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do , and He will direct your path. " Proverbs 3:5-6
"I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry." Psalm 40:1
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do." Proverbs 4:23
Please say these prayers for my friend who is going through a difficult time. If you have time, please also visit the blog Kelly started called Dwelling in the Land. It is a prayer blog for women looking for their perfect MATCH (as well as those of us trying to concieve). And remember, "Take delight in the Lord and He will give you your heart's desires." Psalm 37:4.
5 comments:
Those verses are exactly what I needed to hear. It's funny how people are waiting for different things, but the verses apply to everyone. My wait is for my job (as you probably know from my blog!) and I have a job interview on Tuesday. I am praying so hard that this will be the match!
This is beautiful Lianna!!
Isnt is amazing the things that we take for granted? I will be praying for your friend.
I have a similiar story, I was "dumped" after five years dating and getting engaged. I was 31 and also just devastated. I was graduating law school, had great friends, family but, I was beside myself. It did take a few years but, I too went on match.com and within two months met my now husband in 2005 we got engaged in March 2007 and were married in October 2007, I was 36 and thought I'd never get married when I met him. God does wonderful things in his time. I too am now going through IF, two miscarriages, failed IUI's and one failed IVF. Back to trying on our own!! So I know all the struggles and remind myself daily of God's greatness. He watches over us and brings us what we need in his time.
Should anyone need to talk I am at jdsw02@yahoo.com I am sorry I don't have a blog.
Michele
As sad as I am that so many people have similar stories - I too share your experience. I ended a five year relationship because I knew he wasn't who God had designed for me. I was 25 at the time. I am now approaching my 27th birthday and have this fear that I am never going to meet the person God has made for me. Thank you for sharing your story. There is comfort in seeing others come out on the positive side of a tough situation!
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