Dear God, Will You Ever Give Me the Man of My Prayers?

On April 23, 2007, I wrote the following in my beloved journal:

Dear God,

I want a Christian home. I want to raise a Christian family. One that goes to church on Sundays, is involved with the church, and prays together at night. I want a husband. I want a spiritual leader.

Lord, will this ever be true for me?

I want that man who prays for me, and I pray for him. I want a man that prays with me. I want a man that takes everyone to church on Sundays. Who’s involved with the kids at church. Who smiles because he’s drunk in love with YOU! Who relies on You.

Lord, will this ever be true for me?

I want a man who is unconditional in his ways (love, gifts, kindness, helping hand). Who doesn’t expect things in return – EVER. Who accepts the world as it is and doesn’t let it affect his walk with You. I want a man who wants to change the world.

Lord, will this ever be true for me?

I want a man that knows You!!! I want a man that will accept Your blessings even the small ones. A man that makes me feel like he can make a mountain out of a mole hill even if there is no dirt or rock to make one with. I want a man that is positive and understanding. A man that makes me push to be a better person. A man excited about life and looks forward to life after death. A man that has a spot in heaven and will help me in my spiritual journey. Because that’s what life is … a journey of grace. God’s grace.

Lord, will this ever be true for me?

And while I’m asking. Can I have a man who is a gentleman? A man who has goals in life and who knows how to manage his money? Can my man have a beautiful, dark complexion, and dark, soft eyes? Can he be a man who loves his family? It is even okay if he’s a mama’s boy.

Lord, would you answer my prayers for a husband? Would you bring me this man?

I will wait as long as it takes.

On July 12, 2008, I married the man of my prayers. I cannot praise God enough.

So in honor of Father’s Day, I would like to write an open letter to God thanking Him for the gift He has given me (and now Samuel) in Mark.

Dear God,

I am humbled that the prayer of an unbeliever was heard. In May 2007, days after I prayed this prayer for a husband, you gave me something greater. You graciously saved me. Through a series of events, You were in the process of winning me to Yourself. For that I am eternally grateful.

Thank you for providing me with my leader, my lover, my friend, my Mark.

I am so thankful for a husband who daily sacrifices for me and my son. Thank you for a man who respects and honors me, who lives with me in an understanding way, and who counts me as more significant than himself. He gives without expecting a single thing in return. He places Samuel and me before himself every single time.

I praise you for a husband who leads us through family devotions and prays with me many nights before we lay our heads down to sleep. Praise You Father, for my uncompromising husband when it comes to his love and care for me. Thank you for a man that I find joy in submitting to!

One thing I tell Samuel often is, “You will never, ever doubt your Daddy’s love for you. He’s good at a lot of things, but loving passionately is at the top.” My Mark’s passion for You, God, for me, for our son, and for others is what I love the most about him. He truly wants to change the world.

Mark leads me with strong hands. He is my protector and my shield from the storms of this world. I am so thankful that I am married to a humble man who seeks input from men around him and kneels at the foot of the cross daily because he’s aware of his great need for You.

I praise you for a man who does not care what the world thinks but what You think. I am so thankful for my husband because he knows his reward is in heaven. He trusts in Your Word. He fears You more than man.

And while I’m at it, Lord. Thank you for my tall, dark, and handsome man. When I imagined my man, I imagined my Mark. I am so grateful that I get to spend the rest of my life gazing into the softness and tenderness that can only be found in the way that he looks at me – every single time I walk in the room.

Thank you, God, for giving me the man of my prayers.

Happy First Father’s Day, Mark!

Photography by Erin Manfredi & Lillian Prince where not otherwise noted.

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