LADY IN WAITING
“Is he going to be the spiritual leader of your family that God has called him to be?” I distinctly remember the question posed to me thirty years ago by my Bible study leader, Mrs. Braun. I answered without hesitation: “No ma’am.”
I was 23 years old at the time, and I knew the man I was dating was not God’s best for me. Although I was faithfully walking with the Lord, I had settled for someone who did not believe in Jesus. I had compromised my convictions. Because Mrs. Braun was willing to speak truth and walk alongside me, to help me surrender to the Lord, I was able to turn away from this unhealthy relationship.
I chose to use my singleness to pursue the Lord and patiently wait on his timing. It wasn’t about finding “Prince Charming.” It was about allowing Jesus to satisfy the longings of my heart, and then waiting on the Lord to reveal the godly man who would pull me even closer to Jesus. Too often, we put our identity in relationships, work, family, culture— pretty much anywhere else, and it can eventually bring on unintended consequences, heartbreak, and disappointment.
As I studied God’s Word, I began to fully trust him in the waiting and identify godly characteristics for myself as well as those for a husband. I was looking for a man of prayer, a spiritual leader, and someone who loved Jesus more than he loved me.
I was 23 years old at the time, and I knew the man I was dating was not God’s best for me. Although I was faithfully walking with the Lord, I had settled for someone who did not believe in Jesus. I had compromised my convictions. Because Mrs. Braun was willing to speak truth and walk alongside me, to help me surrender to the Lord, I was able to turn away from this unhealthy relationship.
I chose to use my singleness to pursue the Lord and patiently wait on his timing. It wasn’t about finding “Prince Charming.” It was about allowing Jesus to satisfy the longings of my heart, and then waiting on the Lord to reveal the godly man who would pull me even closer to Jesus. Too often, we put our identity in relationships, work, family, culture— pretty much anywhere else, and it can eventually bring on unintended consequences, heartbreak, and disappointment.
As I studied God’s Word, I began to fully trust him in the waiting and identify godly characteristics for myself as well as those for a husband. I was looking for a man of prayer, a spiritual leader, and someone who loved Jesus more than he loved me.
For years, I have hoped to be a voice of influence and guidance for young women, like Mrs. Braun was for me. Last year, we formed The Lady in Waiting Bible Study, a group of single women who want to prioritize a relationship with Jesus over all others. Our study follows along with the book Lady In Waiting by Jackie Kendall.
If you’re wondering how my own story turned out, surprisingly, my waiting ended a year after Mrs. Braun asked me that question. I met a young man at church through a singles group. We were both doing the spiritual work to prepare for a godly relationship. We maintained our Bible studies separately and collectively, shared our convictions with one another, and set boundaries. We loved Jesus more than we loved each other. We have been married almost thirty years and have five children. He was worth waiting for!
To join the Lady in Waiting group, visit seacoast.org/mtpwomen.
Lady in Waiting will be offered for 10-weeks in the fall and is open to single women in their 20s and 30s.
If you’re wondering how my own story turned out, surprisingly, my waiting ended a year after Mrs. Braun asked me that question. I met a young man at church through a singles group. We were both doing the spiritual work to prepare for a godly relationship. We maintained our Bible studies separately and collectively, shared our convictions with one another, and set boundaries. We loved Jesus more than we loved each other. We have been married almost thirty years and have five children. He was worth waiting for!
To join the Lady in Waiting group, visit seacoast.org/mtpwomen.
Lady in Waiting will be offered for 10-weeks in the fall and is open to single women in their 20s and 30s.
TESTIMONIES
“I wanted to be around women with the same mindset and values while growing in my faith. Sometimes, it can be hard to find that in today’s time.” -Courtney
“Having this community of incredible women surrounding me, God knew I would need to get through this with y’all and him! I now can take everything I’ve read in our book and implement it fully moving forward if God’s plan is for me to be married. The community and relationships I’ve built are priceless to me and I’m so happy to call you all my sisters.” -Alex
“I joined to find fellow girls/sisters in God that I knew would not only hold me accountable, but be role models in my faith. As someone who recently asked God into my heart, I love that this group simply encourages me on my walk with Christ. I learn from their experiences and know that they will always have my best interest at heart. I have found lifelong friendships that I had been searching for and found through the Lord.” -Julia
“To me, this group is a community of sisters who I get to grow a deeper relationship with the Lord and walk through life with.” -Kaela
“I wanted to be around women with the same mindset and values while growing in my faith. Sometimes, it can be hard to find that in today’s time.” -Courtney
“Having this community of incredible women surrounding me, God knew I would need to get through this with y’all and him! I now can take everything I’ve read in our book and implement it fully moving forward if God’s plan is for me to be married. The community and relationships I’ve built are priceless to me and I’m so happy to call you all my sisters.” -Alex
“I joined to find fellow girls/sisters in God that I knew would not only hold me accountable, but be role models in my faith. As someone who recently asked God into my heart, I love that this group simply encourages me on my walk with Christ. I learn from their experiences and know that they will always have my best interest at heart. I have found lifelong friendships that I had been searching for and found through the Lord.” -Julia
“To me, this group is a community of sisters who I get to grow a deeper relationship with the Lord and walk through life with.” -Kaela
