Impeccable Timing in Action

   A few nights ago I wrote about impeccable timing. Over the past few months I have been able to witness God's impeccable timing in the life of my best friend who got engaged tonight. :] It has been a fun ride with her! We have had many a late night conversation about practically every subject imaginable, but guys was definitely in the top 2 of things we talked about the most. I still remember driving around with her looking at Christmas lights after meeting her now fiance, and her talking about him, but not really ready to let herself start liking another guy that might not be the one God had planned for her. After they had been talking for quite a while and built up a friendship they began to date. Things progressed and they fell in love and then a couple months later they got engaged.
   It was cool though to be on this side of things. I got to watch a love story unfold, but it was nothing like what I watch on television. Throughout every piece of it I saw them give their relationship over to God. I saw the type of leader he is trying to be. From the very beginning he would ask her to pray about the relationship before taking it a step further. What is intriguing is if I understand correctly it was her comment to him on facebook chat that she would pray for him and he could pray for her when he really started to like her. I saw through all of that the deep commitment to honor God with every step. I was able to watch as different challenges arose within the relationship where they both knew that if it didn't work out where they could serve God best together they would have to move on with their lives apart. It's my belief that that was the reason things worked out so smoothly.
   Hollywood likes to paint pictures of romances where the guy is perfect. He says the right thing at the right time. Never ever has an awkward moment. Knows the instant he sees her that she is who he wants and sweeps her off her feet. They paint the girls pretty much the same. Knowing exactly when to flirt and when to act like the guy doesn't exist. Able to play the "dating game" perfectly so that the guy never even has a chance. To me though, it seems that there is something usually unsettling about the way Hollywood does romance. I believe what it is, is so often its a guy and a girl from two different sets of values willingly  compromise their beliefs in order to be with "the one." The God-honoring relationship however is willing to give up "the one" in order to be pleasing to their God. (Yet in the end often doesn't have to if both sides are that committed to serving God on His terms.)
   It has been such a joy to see the answers God has given with this relationship in the events leading up to their meeting to the way things have worked out since. It's comforting to watch God bless others with the things you want in your own life (whether you want them now or just eventually someday) because it gives you a glimpse of His goodness in answering prayers and just a taste of what your own future will be like. It's ok to want the same type things to happen in your own life but never begrudge others happiness for one day it will be your happiness that you will want others to share in your own joy as well as to remember what it was like when you yourself wanted the very thing you are getting. That is something she has been so good about is still being aware of others around her.
   What an awesome God we serve! :]
"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3 (NIV)