One of my dearest friends got married this past weekend! How sweet it was to join in celebrating their covenant of marriage and to rejoice in all God has done. As usual, I cried through the whole ceremony, as well as teared up frequently throughout the week leading up to their wedding. Tears of thanksgiving. Tears of joy.
Risa and I were roommates for two years when I lived in Maui. When you live with someone you get to know them extremely well. Risa and I walked through many highs and lows together- and every time she was right by my side. One of our favorite things to do together was go paddle boarding early in the morning before work. We would wake up, brew a pot of coffee, and hit the road with our boards on top of our jankie vans. (Yes, I did just say jankie. That’s the only word to describe our vans…no a/c, windows couldn’t roll down, over heating, cat pee, salt water stains…ah yes, the life of an intern!) As we paddle boarded we would dream of our futures, share our hearts desires and pray for our future husbands. We so desired to be married one day, and understood the importance of praying for our men. Risa hadn’t met her husband Eric yet, but she faithfully prayed for him and trusted in our Father’s wisdom and timing.
Two years later, she met him at a young life camp. They hit it off. And their whirlwind of a love story began. A beautiful adventure.
As I stood by her side, watching her and her husband exchange vows, my heart rejoiced at how GOOD and FAITHFUL God is. He heard every prayer. He knew Risa’s heart. He knew her longings, her dreams, her every need. And he blessed her with such a sweet and perfect gift. Eric is God’s perfect choice for Risa. Not that they’re perfect, but they’re perfect for one another. He loves Jesus deeply. He leads her well. He speaks truth, and uplifts her. He adores and cherishes her. He protects her heart and points her to Jesus. Tears of joy flow as I reflect on what God has done. Our God is mighty. Nothing is impossible for Him. His timing is perfect- not one second too late, not one second too early. He is all wise. All loving. All good. He loves His children and loves to bless His children. His way is perfect. And man, He writes the best love stories!
I am so excited for their marriage- for how God will use them as a team and how He’ll grow them as a couple.
Beloved, if you’re struggling with singleness today or if you are doubting if God can or will bless a husband into your life, know that He is good. He knows what’s best for his children.
[highlight style=”1″]He sees you. He knows you. He is for you.[/highlight]
He does not withhold anything good from those who walk uprightly. (Ps. 84:11) Right now, in whatever season you find yourself, if you are seeking Him, know and rest in the fact that you are right where He wants you. He is with you. Don’t lose heart. Don’t lose hope. Continue to bring your desires to His throne. Continue to pour out your heart to Him. Lay your life in His hands. He will fulfill His purpose for you. Don’t settle. Don’t give up. He is with you, and He does great things. Whether that’s in singleness or in marriage, He is at work- He will not forsake you.
“The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.”|| Psalm 138:8
<3 I love hearing about God's faithfulness through marriage. Thanks for sharing Alyssa. It's so encouraging. I tabbed it as one of my "favorites" just in case I need to hear this again later.
This is EXACTLY what I needed to hear today. I’ve been struggling with thinking that I’m not good enough for the man I’ve been praying for. I know that when I’m continually seeking God, He will bless me. I forget sometimes that God knows me better than anyone else, that is so awesome! Thank you so much for this blog!!
Love hearing such sweet love stories of God’s faithful! This is such an encouragement to a generation of young women pressured to settle for less that what God has in store. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful Alyssa! Wish I could have been there. So happy for them!
wooow this was so beautiful to share in the joy of your friend’s wedding. I welled up, tears flowing down my cheeks or your joy and for the joy of God’s love and promise for me in now in singleness and i long to meet God’s match for me! He is consistently good,He knows us and will never withhold good things from those who walk uprightly!
Thank you so much! Lord knows these reminders are so needed!
Bless you! Have a great week 🙂
Beautiful truth from a beautiful woman. It was so wonderful celebrating with you this weekend!!!
Thanks Alyssa! You are a blessing!
Thank you, Alyssa! Exactly what I needed to hear today… praise God for your faithfulness!
Alyssa Thanks for posting this for us, it helps me to keep waiting and not lose faith in the midst of waiting to see that, there are young people like you and your friend that God has blessed with good husbands (men with passion for God) is faithful but the enemy attacks our fallen hearts and sometimes falter at the time of waiting in faint and keep praying. But thanks for showing us again that is worth wait in the Lord.
God bless you,
Kate.
Loved hearing these truths! This was EXACTLY what I needed to hear today, and was just praying to the Lord about this exact thing before I saw your post! Thank you!
Hi Alyssa!
I’m a 17 year old girl in highschool and I started reading your blog about 5 months ago. Your writing and the verse psalm 84:11-13 inspired me SO much that I started my own blog hoping to inspire teenagers and offer insight on teenage situations with a strong Christian perspective. If it weren’t for you, I never would have done this. It would mean so so much to me if you’d look at it! And if you even had any time at all to write me back with advice to improve it or anything, It would be AMAZING. God bless you(:
-Morgan
Hi Alyssa!
I’m a 17 year old girl in highschool and I started reading your blog about 5 months ago. Your writing and the verse psalm 84:11-13 inspired me SO much that I started my own blog hoping to inspire teenagers and offer insight on teenage situations with a strong Christian perspective. If it weren’t for you, I never would have done this. It would mean so so much to me if you’d look at it! And if you even had any time at all to write me back with advice to improve it or anything, It would be AMAZING. God bless you(:
It’s walkingthroughthislifee.blogspot.com <3
-Morgan
This was perfect to me! Thank you.
God bless you so much!!!
God is so good!!! All the time 🙂