Ecstatic about the possibilities, Kim said, “That’s a great idea Matthew. We’ll pray and leave it in God’s hands. Right, Cate?”
Once again, Cate was silent. She was being asked a pivotal question that could change her life,
What do I say?
“Come on Cate. Are we all agreed?” Matthew asked.
After breathing a very heavy sigh, Cate finally answered, “Agreed.”
As she hung up, Cate could hardly wrap her head around what had happened. Could it be that David loved her after all? After all this time, was God working out a way for them to be together? Did it all happen in Ecuador to pave the way for this? She might be on the verge of having what she never thought she could. Only prayer and time would tell. She savored the possibilities for a few minutes before she shared the conversation with her parents. Her parents looked at each other in amazement and smiled.
“Cate, that’s wonderful,” her mother said.
“Maybe, Mom. I don’t know yet. I’m not sure what God is doing.”
“Just continue to be open and submissive to His leading,” her dad said. “And, he’ll make it all clear in time.”
“I know, Dad.”
They joined hands in prayer, praying that God would provide unmistakable guidance. Cate felt grateful and humbled by the experience and was confident that God would answer their prayers.
During the weeks that followed, she spent more time in prayer, meditation and fasting in order to discern God’s will. God’s answer to her request for guidance was continually the same. He brought three verses of Scripture to her mind. One He had given her in Ecuador, Psalm 57:2 and two new ones, Psalm 37:7 and Psalm 91:1-2. Reading them in the Amplified Bible, Cate fed on what they said, “I will cry to God Most High, Who performs on my behalf and rewards me—Who brings to pass [His purposes] for me and surely completes them! Be still rest in the Lord; wait for Him, patiently stay yourself upon Him; fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass. He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God: on Him I will lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust.”
She shared with her parents what God was saying to her heart. They continually prayed for her and with her, and encouraged her to submit herself and the situation with David completely in His hands, and to trust what He was saying to her heart. She humbly and patiently heeded their advice.
More weeks passed and God’s guidance remained the same. He constantly asked her to trust Him and she submissively clung to the verses in the Psalms.
Three months had passed since Matthew’s call, and she’d heard nothing from him, Kim or David. She believed David had been praying and seeking God’s leadership as well, yet since so much time had passed, she concluded that God had not led David to accept Matthew’s offer.
“God please help me. If you have said no to David and me, I want to submit to Your will. I don’t understand why you brought me home, or what you’re doing right now, but I know that You love me and You’re wise and good in all that You do. I admit that my heart is broken, but I know You can mend broken hearts. Please help me. I want Your will to be done and not mine.”
Things happened quickly after that prayer. One bright sunny morning Dr. Jones answered a knock at the front door, smiled, quietly greeted the visitors and said loudly, “Cate it’s for you.”
Rounding the corner from the den, Cate suddenly stopped as she realized that David and Sarah were standing before her. Her mouth flew open, her face lit up with surprise and happiness, as tears of joy filled her eyes.
“Hi Cate,” David said, with a smile.
“Hi!”
“Ask her Daddy. Ask her,” Sarah ran from her daddy’s side toward Cate, who immediately scooped her up into her arms.
“Ask me what?”
David took a deep breath and moved toward Cate and Sarah. For the first time in seven years, his eyes revealed exactly what was in his heart as he looked deeply into Cate’s eyes. She saw it plainly and melted at its presence. He took Sarah from her arms and put her down, took Cate by the hand, and said the words that she never thought he would.
“Cate... Will you marry me and be Sarah’s mother?”
“Yes, yes I will.” She fell into his arms, sharing the kiss she’d always dreamed of.
“Hooray,” Sarah clapped her hands with joy.
As David hugged her and Sarah clung to her leg, Cate lifted her teary eyes heavenward.
Thank you Lord, for my husband and child, and for my calling.
END
About the Author
Deborah A. Hodge was born in Camden, Tennessee and attended college and graduate school at Union University, Jackson, Tennessee, earning a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Arts in Education. She completed thirty-three hours at Luther Rice Seminary in Lithonia, Georgia.
Presently, Deborah is a teacher at Bolivar Central High School. She teaches United States history and Theater Arts. She is the chairperson of the Social Studies Department at Bolivar Central and an adjunct instructor in history for the University of Tennessee at Martin.
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