M: There were three main things here for me.
1. My extensive palm pilot list. I had long been talking to God and writing down exactly the characteristics my future husband HAD to have. This list had been in progress, as a result of some guidance by some of my mentors, for several years. It had been added to time and time again, some times changing emphasis as I discovered myself who I really was.
The scary thing was discovering more and more as I emailed and chatted to Christer, that he indeed possessed each of these qualities.
2. I had always told God that He had to send my future husband to me. I was very determined about this one, so when Christer first asked if he could come to L.A. to meet me face to face, I was totally shocked, but also very hesitant to believe that it would indeed happen. The fact that he travelled half way around the globe to meet me spoke very loudly to my heart.
3. I also asked God to give me an obvious sign while Christer was with me in L.A. So imagine my surprise and astonishment when the first thing Christer did at the Coffee club was give me a gift, a gift that turned out to be a Swedish road SIGN! I was always a details girl, but God was really overdoing it here!
Green Light for the P31
C: I had a big green light when it came to how I was going to handle my relationship with Marian. I fell more and more in love with her for each email, chat session, sms and phone call. I remember during this time, before we met, that we had a guest speaker at our church. He said that we have to do something and not just sit and wait for something to happen. He said: As long as you do not have a red light – just go for it. When I heard him preach, I thought to myself that regarding my situation with Marian, I had never had such a big fat green light in many years…
And I was already on my way to go see her in LA…
Marian to me is the woman that is described in Proverbs 31. In my asking God moments, that passage of the scripture turned up again and again:
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises.She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden.First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.
She’s quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks.Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
“Many women have done wonderful things,
but you’ve outclassed them all!”Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-GOD.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!Proverbs 31:11-31 (The Message)