How Much Does Mr. or Mrs. Perfect Cost?
Everybody wants Mr. or Mrs. Perfect, and I was no exception. When I was younger I looked around and saw that most people were more unhappy after they got married than before - except my parents, who had a wonderful marriage. So I decided that I wanted God to pick the person I was going to marry, and I firmly decided that I would not marry anyone unless I was sure this was the person God had chosen for me. I also had a mental list of qualities that the person needed to have (mostly things I had read in the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy). Most people, if they had heard my list of requirements and desirements, would have told me, "You're shooting too high! You'll never find someone that perfect! You had better lower your expectations." I realized I was shooting high, but I also knew that most people who were shooting low ended up unhappy, and sometimes in divorce. So I decided I was going to find the kind of person I was looking for (with God's help) or else I would never get married.
This all sets the stage for a certain conversation I had with God one night while I was walking under the stars - and feeling quite lonely for someone special to share my life with. My family had just come back from a trip, during which I learned that several of my old friends had gotten married as well as my cousin. It seemed to me that everyone was getting married and it seemed so easy for them to find someone to marry. So I was out walking under the stars and asking God about this problem. The conversation went something like this:Shawn: "Father, why is it so easy for my friends to find someone to marry, but for me, who's trying to follow you're guidance, it seems so hard? I want to get married too! Why do I have to wait and wait and there seems no hope of someone special in my life, but for my friends who are not letting you lead their lives, it's so easy for them to find someone to marry?"The Still Small Voice: "Quality costs."Shawn: "What! What do you mean, 'Quality costs'?"The Still Small Voice: "When you go to a cheap store to buy something you will get something that's cheap and may soon break. But if you want quality then you have to pay a lot more for it!"Shawn: "What does that have to do with finding a wife?"The Still Small Voice: "If you want a quality marriage, you will have to pay for it. It's easy for others to find someone to marry because they are willing to settle for less. But if you truly want quality then you will have to pay for it."Shawn: (Thinking, "Uh oh, I wonder what the price is.") "Ok, so what do I have to pay to have a wonderful marriage? What is the price?"The Still Small Voice: "The price is to wait."Shawn: "To wait?"The Still Small Voice: "Yes, if you want me to find 'Mrs. Perfect' for you, then you have to pay the price of waiting on Me. I know it's hard, but the results are worth it! Are you willing to pay the price?"Shawn: "Yes Lord, I want a wonderful, lasting, marriage and I am willing to pay the price of waiting on you to pick the right person for me."
The rest of the story:
Well, the rest of the story is that I had to "pay" about two more years of waiting before God found me a wife. He waited until I had become content being single; I would have been very happy to be married too, but I was content with the possibility that God might want me to be single the rest of my life. When I became content with whatever God would choose, then God took action! And I want to tell you that when God decides it's time to take action, things can happen so fast it will leave your head spinning!I had been working at a supporting ministry doing multimedia work, and I started to notice a certain beautiful young lady who was so kind and friendly to everyone and always seemed to be walking around memorizing Bible verses or reading something from the Bible. The more I watched her, the more I thought she was just the kind of person I had been dreaming about! From all I knew of her she matched exactly the list of requirements and desirements I was looking for and I started to think that she seemed like "Mrs. Perfect"! Unbeknown to me she was watching me as well and thought I seemed an awful lot like "Mr. Perfect" too.
Well, to make a long story short, both of us had to "pay" another (seemingly agonizing) year of waiting and praying before God finally revealed to us that indeed we were meant for each other.
And what has been the result of all this? Did we get what we were looking for? Are we happy together? Absolutely!! We are wonderfully happy together! We've been married almost a year now and we are more happy now, if possible, then when we got married! God is so good. Let me tell you, God is very good at picking the perfect husband or wife for you. He knows what He is doing and you can trust Him. I know during the time I was single I sometimes had silent worries that God might pick someone who was ugly or who I didn't really like. But He didn't do that. He chose someone very beautiful, both inwardly and outwardly! Adriela is the perfect wife for me, and I have no doubt God picked us for each other. We match so well! I am so thankful that I waited and paid the price to have a wonderful marriage!To see our website and wedding pictures click here - www.shawnandadriela.com