Our second date was at Lakewood Church for their Wednesday night worship service.

Somehow, early on, he knew the way to my heart. Having grown up going to church every week, I couldn’t say no when he invited me.

But, he wasn’t asking me there to impress me.

He was being intentional.

In this season of praying for a wife, taking me to church was important to him.

Fast forward 13 years….guess where we were last night: Wednesday night service at our home church.

There’s no doubt that God brought my husband into my life. No question.

But, there is also a part that we both played in making the relationship happen. I’m grateful that my husband was purposeful from the start because #1- he was clear about the relationship leading to marriage (I didn’t wait around wondering where this was going) and #2- I could see early on that we were like-minded in our love for God.

Hannah prayed in desperation for a child and God gave her her heart’s desire by giving her a son, Samuel.

This is what she says, “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” 1 Samuel 1: 27-28 (NIV)

She was intentional.

She gave him to the Lord, so she intentionally left this child in the care of Eli at the temple.

The result? “And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with the people.” 1 Samuel 2:26 (NIV)

She followed her words with her actions. She promised and she gave.

And God used Samuel.

This afternoon, I heard an alarm go off on my son’s iPad, and I went to turn it off.

Do you know what the label said? “Pray for a good wife”

He is 7 years old, and he is being intentional.

With some advice and encouragement from my husband, he has decided to commit a few moments a day to pray for this need.

I can’t wait to see who God will bring for him.

What do you need to be deliberate about? Prayer time? A relationship? A job? Practically, it may mean writing it down or sacrificing something, but the end result will be worth it.

Taking that first step may be the hardest, but you will be so grateful and blessed to see the reward.

~Elizabeth (Betsy)