The New Man in My Life!

The New Man in My Life

I can’t wait to tell you about the new man in my life. He is very, very sweet. My kids like him, too. We talk about him all the time and can’t wait to see him again. He’s coming to spend Thanksgiving weekend with me and meet my whole extended family. What does he look like, you ask? He’s extremely cute. He has dark hair, a dark complexion and the most beautiful brown eyes. He’s of Hispanic heritage. He talks to me often on the phone in a language I don’t understand, but it doesn’t matter, because just the sound of his voice gives me a thrill. I love him and he loves me. I’m just crazy about him. I can really make him laugh. He gets so excited when he sees me, he practically drools. Did I mention he’s cute? Yeah, I did. He’s barrel-chested and has thick arms and meaty thighs and when he grins at me, I just melt. When he smiles at me, with his two teeth showing...yeah, he only has two teeth, (that’s how I like ‘em.) He’s my man, my boo.  He’s the best–looking eight month old baby I’ve ever seen! He's my God-son.

I got you didn’t I? Did you really think I was talking about an adult man? Well, everything I said is true. He is very special and I do love him and he is so cute. A few months ago, I was having a bad day. Not a “bad hair” day, not a “flat-tire” day, not a “down in the dumps day”.  I’m talking one of the “top ten worst days of my life” bad day. Sitting at my computer in the midst of my “worst day ever,” I opened an email from a relative who sent pictures of her children. As I looked at the pictures of her young son, I thought to myself, “Wouldn’t it be nice to hold a baby? That would feel good. I would like to hold a baby.” It was a fleeting thought, just a momentary desire of my heart. I went back to the computer. Immediately, I received a text from my pastor’s wife. One of our church members had to be admitted to the hospital and they did not know what to do about finding someone to take care of her baby for a few days. They had called me for advice because of my history of working with foster care. She said, “I don’t know what we’re going to do”. I said, “I know what you’re going to do. You’re going to let me keep the baby until she gets better”…and so I did.

Since then, I have kept him for her to have surgery and to have medical appointments and for her to move.  Now, I’m his God-mother. I do special things for him and his mother. Friends at church think I’m a “nice lady” for doing that. Others, (not church people), have criticized me for keeping him, saying that it’s a “risk”, too much “responsibility”. Neither side really understands that on that day, I needed that baby as much as he needed me! That baby is very special to me. He represents new life, new beginnings, and just how quickly God can answer a prayer and give you the desire of your heart!

I couldn’t resist fooling you with my “new man in my life” joke. I think God has a sense of humor, don’t you? My Dad teased me as a teenager when I was applying to colleges. He told me he was going to send me to Bible college so I would marry a preacher. I didn’t think that was funny. Seemed like a fate worse than death. My teenage mind wondered, “What could be worse than marrying a preacher?” Well, I didn’t go to Bible college, and I didn’t marry a preacher, so God made me the preacher! I’m not a Pastor, but I do like to teach and speak at church. God does have a sense of humor or at least he has a sense of irony!

Honestly, I do think that one day I will marry a preacher or at least someone very involved in ministry, because that is my heart’s desire. However, my children don't like for me to discuss my love life…that’s a sensitive subject for them. So, I’m just going to throw my friend “under the bus” and talk about her love life! (That's what friends are for!)

 A few months ago, my friend and I sat on the beach and talked about what we were looking for in a man. We started out with the obvious non-negotiables that had to be in place…(He had to be a Christian, non-drinker, non-smoker, with a job, had to be faithful, etc.) Then we went on to more specific things like interests and personality and physical description.  Well, as the conversation went on, we really started enjoying ourselves, laughing and coming up with some really outrageous, extremely specific things. Oh! the fun we had that day!  My friend really came up with some real “doozies”. I laughed, thinking to myself, “She’s being unrealistic now, no man is ever going to do that or be like that.”

Guess what? She has met someone who meets all the criteria…even the doozies! Are they going to get married and ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after? That remains to be seen…that’s in God’s hands. The point is…God did bring someone into her life that was exactly in line with the desires of her heart. She’s having a great time and has met a wonderful new friend and companion.

Trust God with all the desires of your heart, (not just your romantic desires!) He made you and he knows what you like and what you need. Just ask. Be specific.  After my friend’s experience of meeting someone with everything she had prayed for, I went back home and upgraded my list. (Really, I did. I’m not kidding).

 The Bible says that we have not because we ask not. Now, I’m not suggesting God is a heavenly Santa Claus. Life will never be perfect, because we live in an imperfect, fallen world and there are some things we will never understand until we get to Heaven.  Sometimes the answer is “no” or “wait”. I’m just saying…TRUST HIM. Make your requests known, with prayer and thanksgiving. Do your part...what you know is right to do… and then just watch Him show up! Believe in Him with child-like faith and expectancy.

He's able to do exceedingly abundantly more than you could ever ask or think! Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart!

Get in the habit of keeping a daily prayer journal. In a few months time, you'll be surprised to look back at your old prayer requests and see what God has done!