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By R.A. Mathews

I knew who she was.

She sat cross-legged in a restaurant booth, headphones over her ears, typing away on her laptop. She then absently reached for a roll; her eyes fixed on the computer screen. 

I was on my way out of the restaurant, sliding my laptop to the edge of the table.

“You are so focused,” I said, as she glanced toward me. “What do you do?” 

But I already knew the answer.  

As I said, I knew this twenty-something the minute I saw her — a much younger me.

“I’m an author,” she said, joy tugging at the corner of her mouth.

“An indie?”

“Yes.” The smile spread across her face. 

Indies, independent writers, choose this wonderful life — not just writing. Oh, no. We form publishing companies; hire cover artists, editors, marketing pros and constantly gather to learn! 

And thus, Kaitryn Sullivan became my colleague.   

Yesterday, she told me an amazing story. Katie was reared in California and worked one summer as a counselor at a Christian camp. Her family then moved to Texas. 

Longing for a mate, who also loved the Lord, she joined a Christian dating service. Her soon-to-be husband was four hours away at Fort Hood, Texas. He had also contacted that dating service, desiring a Christian wife. 

The two met and married three months later. 

“When you know, you know,” she said to me. They now have two children. 

But here’s the amazing part of their story — when she was that counselor in California, he was also at that camp. 

“We didn’t know each other,” she said, “but he was there at the same time!”

Was God trying to bring them together? 

And later, in Texas, was God determined to keep trying?

I am not married but, believe me, I pray earnestly for God to keep trying with me. Scripture has such a story of a righteous man who prayed to find the right girl, and God answered Him. 

It has a bit of a twist — the man was acting for someone else. 

It seems that Abraham was old, his wife had died, and his son was 40 and single. God had brought them to what would become Israel, but there were only ungodly women there.

So, Abraham sent his oldest servant, probably Eliezer, to his faraway family to find a wife for Isaac. Eliezer made the long journey with his men and when they arrived, as they were standing near the well, he prayed, “O Lord, God… Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’… be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.’

“Before he had finished speaking…” (Genesis 24:14-16, ESV).

Isn’t that amazing? God knew this was a big deal and acted before Eliezer could finish his prayer!

“Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah … went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. Then the servant ran to meet her and said, ‘Please give me a little water…’ And she quickly let down her jar” (Genesis 24:16-18, ESV).

Eliezer explained his mission to her and her family, and she returned with him and married Isaac.

Just as I pray to be the Lord’s voice for my generation, I pray for Katie every day, that she will write God’s truth to her generation. I hope her children will proudly hold her books one day and know their mom’s characters inspired millions to live closer to the Lord.

God has His Hand guiding you, too. 

The question is whether you will follow Him. That’s always the question. Lift your heart in prayer, telling God your heart’s desire, and let Him lead you. 

It may be to the person you are meant to marry or the job you are meant to have. It may be the healing that your body needs or your finances or a wayward child.

Believe. Do not give up on the dream God has placed in your heart.

Scripture says, “I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined to me and heard my cry … and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.” (Psalm 40:1-2, NASB, 1995)

Know that God is with you, listen patiently for His guidance, and follow Him. You can have your heart’s desire.

The Rev. Mathews (BA, MDiv, JD) is a newspaper faith columnist and the author of the Reaching to God series and Emerald Coast: The Vendetta. Write to her at Hello@RAMathews.com. (just one t in Mathews)

Copyright © 2024 R.A. Mathews. All rights reserved.