Proverbs 19:14 “Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.”

Proverbs 31:10, “Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.”

My brother Emmanuel walked into the wedding reception hall flanked by two attractive girls.  One of the girls caught my attention.  She was slim, tall, and beautiful.  She looked like the girl I envisioned when I was praying for a girl to marry.  I had spent the last three months earnestly seeking God’s answers to my prayers.  What drove me to prayer?  What would inspire a 22-year-old to spend an hour in prayer every day?  Three months earlier I had lost the girl I thought I was going to marry.  I decided to resolve the problem in prayer.

For the first few weeks, I prayed for God to touch her heart so she would come back to me.  I asked God to change her to what I wanted.  Interestingly, God ignored me.  For the next few weeks, God transformed me.  I stopped praying for her. Instead, I asked God to prepare me for the right girl. Instead of praying for Mrs Right, I asked God to make me Mr. Right, first.  He had to deal with me before I would be ready for someone. As I prayed, I would imagine what the girl would look like.  I prayed for a simple, beautiful, down to earth girl.

There she was.  Standing next to my brother.  I walked towards them.  I offered to buy all three of them some ice cream.  (Ice cream is very expensive in Zimbabwe.  Ice cream vendors receive much business at weddings and other gatherings.) While facing the beautiful girl, I asked her a question.  She did not answer. She shyly looked down while avoiding all eye contact.  Her friend answered, instead.  She talked, while the beautiful girl just listened.

I caught her stealing a quick glance at me, and then she continued to look on the floor.  Her shyness was intriguing.  She looked beautiful and mysterious.  She lifted her face, my eyes and her glistening big brown eyes locked.  She looked away quickly. It was as if, for a brief moment, we communicated at a deep, soul level. Her hair was set in immaculate, wool-like curls.  Her sun-kissed, chocolate brown skin glowed under the African sun.  I wanted to sneak away with her.  I wanted to run away with her to far, far away lands. Yet, her only communication when I asked her to call me was a simple nod.  A few days later, I received the call.  It was her at the other end of the line.  Thereafter, we went on our first date.  It was the beginning of a fabulous life with my bride, Rutendo. I am glad Emmanuel introduced me to her.  I am thrilled she called. My life has never been the same!

• How did you meet your spouse?
• What made you fall in love?
• How did you know you were in love?
• What are the circumstances that led to your meeting?
• Do you see God’s hand in your union?
• If you are not married, what are you doing to prepare for the spouse of the future?
• Are you praying for God’s guidance regarding your choice of a future spouse?
• What qualities are you looking for in a future spouse?