There was a time in my life when my dream was to marry a committed Baptist church member. I was born and raised in a Baptist church, and as far as I was concerned, my church was the best. I wanted my children to experience being rooted and raised in the Baptist church because I believed it was the only place the word of God was preached lol (blame it on my not going out).
If you have read my book Identity crisis, I mentioned that the Baptist church was the foundation of my church; all the lessons I learnt in my sunbeam, girls auxiliary and Lydia auxiliary is all part of my faith. The interesting part was that I was so naïve to believe that as long as he is Baptist, he is automatically a good man.
I remember trying so hard to find a Baptist man, I wanted a royal wedding by force (in the Baptist church, when a member of the Lydia auxiliary marries a member of the Royal ambassador, they have a royal wedding, which is always ceremonial with parades and uniform) but I have come to realize over time that a good marriage goes beyond that.
I once dated this guy who was a Baptist member; I had no business dating that guy because we had no chemistry and nothing in common. The only common thing we had was that we were dedicated baptist members and our folks were pastors. He liked me, but I felt nothing for him. I told myself I would grow to like him because marrying him meant our kids would experience what I experienced. Looking back, I was so selfish and silly. I wasn’t looking forward to his call and was eager to return home each time we saw each other. I waited for the perfect excuse to break up, but he was just so sweet. He did everything right, lol.
I can’t even remember how I broke up, but I had to come up with a lie. I knew I hurt him and felt terrible, but I knew if I married him, I would remain miserable for the rest of my life, and he would not forgive me.
When I decided to hand over my relationship to the lord, one of the idols he removed from my heart was marrying a Baptist man or nobody. The Holy Spirit asked me, “would you rather marry a man after my heart or make your decision?”. God worked on me until I reached the point of surrender and absolute trust that He has my best interest at heart.
At the end of the day, I did not marry a Baptist man, but I married the best man for me. I have seen Baptist marriages crash, and I have also seen those that flourished. My point is that a good marriage goes beyond the denomination.
RIP OFF THAT LIST
I don’t know what your idol is. Yours might be a particular tribe, job or position. It goes for both genders. I have met men with ridiculous tastes, and I laugh because we often demand what we don’t have.
It’s time to surrender and trust the father. Rip off that list and start afresh. God knows the end from the beginning. Let God order your steps. Your assignment and calling are bigger than you, and whoever you are in a relationship with must understand that you are called to fulfil a purpose, and your union itself is to serve a purpose.
Marriage is beyond that list you are holding. Trust the father and watch him take care of you.
Tolulope has been a lady I’ve always admired from afar, she
knows what she wants, and she keeps going for it. She is that person who will
give you some tough love and at the same time cheer you on when you are succeeding.
I interviewed her when she was getting married, and the joy she had was undeniable, but what happens when after your wedding, a baby is not coming? I tried my best not to have this conversation with her because fertility is a very sensitive topic.
I never knew Tolu was fighting some silent battle. I loved
how she always showed up to celebrate with her friends who had a baby. I was
over the moon when a mutual friend told me, “Tolu gave birth”. Tolu
reached out to me some weeks ago and said she would like to share her
testimony.
My prayer is that this testimony spurs your faith to trust
God more.
Onome: Let’s meet you and how long have you been married?
Tolu: I’m Toluwalope Matthew, and I’ve been married for
2years and 5months.
Onome: How has the journey been?
Tolu: I will say with God the journey has been smooth.
People indeed find it hard to share the good sides of their marriage; all we
hear about is the turbulent ones. It has been a period of growth in all aspects
of my life.
Onome: Hmmm….. I hope we can change that perspective.
Tolu: Yes, we can, and we will.
Onome: What’s your greatest challenge about marriage?
Tolu: Hmmm…. my greatest challenge was the difficulty in
accepting my new location. Moving from an urban area to a semi-rural area with
little or no opportunity is not a child’s play.
Let’s talk about your waiting
season.
Onome: How long did you, and what was it like waiting?
Tolu: We waited for a year 6months.
Waiting, waiting, where do I start from Onome? is it from a
monthly period or counting ovulation or cramping. It was not easy. I
practically counted my period days and made sure I stayed indoors so I won’t
show myself to the world.
The environment where I find myself even has its stigma. If
you have been married for months or years without a child, most people address
you as ‘iyawo’. So when you find yourself in gatherings and they say ‘iyawo’,
everyone knows no child yet.
Or is it concerns from family or friends? Well, I believe
none of them knew their concerns came as pressure indirectly, and that alone
leaves one with silent thinking. I remember getting in touch with an
undergraduate roommate in 500l when I was in 100l, she also had a delay, and
her experience helped me put myself together.
Onome: Did you ever felt like God left you?
Tolu: No, I never felt God had left me. Never. Physically
speaking, I was so anxious for this miracle but spiritually speaking, I knew
God was preparing me for something extraordinary, even though I don’t know how
long it will take.
Onome: How did your husband support you all through the
journey?
Tolu: My husband and my immediate family are my special gift from God. I am incredibly grateful for the gift of in-laws too. My father and mother-in-law were just so supportive; they were a shoulder to lean on—their care whenever they hear me down lifts up my soul. My husband stood by me all through. When I insisted on going for fertility tests, he declined but supported me afterwards since I told him it would give me peace.
Onome: How was your miracle birthed?
I had multiple urinary tract infection
(UTI) in secondary school. It was left untreated until I got to the
university. In my final year, I got involved in a running competition. I fell
on my stomach, I began to bleed, and it was not properly treated because I
visited a general doctor and not a gynaecologist.
Less than 3years
after, I got diagnosed with an ovarian cyst. It was treated early enough, a
year after (2019) fibroid was detected, and in 2020, we began our fertility
journey, went through all the processes, and it was fine.
I had to proceed to take a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) which is
meant to determine the potency of the fallopian tubes; before I continue, my
HSG scan was torture. I went to heaven and came back o. Hsg was deadly for me.
After the test was over, my husband told me that no more fertility test. He
told me I was more important to him than a million kids.
Hmmm, after the test, I got the shocker of my life. I was
told my two tubes were blocked, and the only solution was to go for In vitro fertilization (IVF).
It was a rude shock. My husband stood by me. He made sure we
kept it within ourselves and built our faith. I started getting depressed. I
cannot just count or express the support, but the truth remains that there are
still good men.
I enrolled in a fashion academy about an hour 30mins from my
location. My husband was willing to let me go for anything that will help me
gain my sanity.
I enrolled in July. I got back home excited and very busy
cutting clothes. I had my last period that same month.
It was indeed a miracle. It was the least expected. It is
only God that can say how it was birthed. But in all, positively, prayer seeds
were sown by different people, financial seeds were sown, faith was built,
relationships were built too.
Onome: Wao!!! God is undoubtedly a miracle worker. What
would you say is the biggest lesson you have learnt on this journey?
Tolu: The biggest lesson I learnt while waiting is to hold
on to God, turn deaf ears to negativity, gain my complete sanity. In all, I am
indeed grateful for the gift of motherhood. It is an opportunity I will forever
cherish. The waiting is worth it when I sight my bundle of joy.
Onome: How did you feel after delivery?
Tolu: Truth ehn, I
wasn’t so conscious the first day. But after naming when I got stronger, even
when he gets cranky at night and I want to get frustrated cos of sleepless
nights, I just look at him and thank him for coming and thank God for the gift.
Onome, sometimes, waiting helps you appreciate God the more.
I won’t know when I
will burst into singing or just begin thanking God for the baby. It’s not as if
I don’t get weak because I have sleepless nights but remembering how much prayers,
fasting, pains I just can’t help but thank God.
Onome: How did you handle the pressure?
Tolu: The main pressure I experienced was environmental
pressure sha. God didn’t allow room for family pressure but seeing the status
of people that just got married or someone talking to you about his or her
kids, and all can be overwhelming. Though not negatively o, I tried not to give
room for envy; that’s why I remind myself that everyone has their time.
Onome: What would you say to anyone waiting?
Tolu: I sincerely pray for everyone waiting that God gives
you double for your trouble and link you with people with the right mind.
While waiting, seek medical attention (gynaecologist or
fertility specialist), get busy, pray, pray, pray and pray, have a mind of your
own because advice will come, speak out to people who are willing to hear and understand
you.
Onome: Thank you for sharing your testimony Tolu.
Tolu: It’s a pleasure, and it’s a promise I made to God that
if He blesses me, I will share the testimony, and so it’s a big honour doing
this.
CONCLUSION
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their
strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be
weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31 KJV.
Nothing is exciting about the process of waiting, it is demanding, and a lot of times, it is filled with tears. The beauty of waiting is when you get results. You forget about the pain when the answer comes.
I don’t know what you are trusting God for today but let
Tolu’s testimony encourage that joy comes in the morning.
If you are friends or a family member to young women who
just got married or are trying to conceive, please be sensitive with them and
don’t put pressure on them. Children are the heritage of the lord, and parents
should have them at the right time. Let’s encourage each other and shield our
women from societal and environmental pressure.
Let Tolu’s testimony increase your faith because God is
writing your story, and I know it will be a marvellous testimony.
“To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for
mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be
called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be
glorified.” Isaiah 61: 3 NKJV
Writing Opeyemi’s story gives me bittersweet memories. We were friends from afar before we got close in 2018 when a mutual friend recommended her services. She became my hairstylist and we got really close.
I always knew there was more to her, so when she called me
last month and said, “Onome, I want to share my story”, I knew the time had
come. Listening to her while she shared her story, gave me a lot of emotional
chills. I cried and wondered but at the end of the story, something stood out,
and that is the fact that “God is good and His mercies endureth forever”
I want you to read this story and see a woman who was broken
but not despaired, struck down but not destroyed. A woman who went through the
fire but came out stronger, one who God loves.
Grab your bottle of orange juice and let’s meet Opeyemi
Oguntimeyin nee Olagunju.
THE INTERVIEW
Onome: Tell us a little about yourself
Opeyemi: I’m Opeyemi Oguntimeyin nee Olagunju. I’m a businesswoman, I love money, please. I’m married to an amazing man who is a pastor and I am a full-time child of God
Onome: What was growing up like?
Opeyemi: Wasn’t fun, had so many memories but looking back I
think everything worked together for good. I started looking up to men early to
meet my needs, my parents were not poor; we were comfortable. When a need arose
and my parents could not meet up, I had a man I could call that would meet that
need.
Onome: If I may ask, when did you start looking up to men to
meet your needs?
Opeyemi: I lost my virginity to rape. There was a young guy
around my compound, who kept having sex with me at a young age; that was when I
was within age 11 and 15. I became wild and started going out with guys when I
was 15. Within age 15 and 17, I had slept with about 10 guys and three married
men, just to get money. In fact not just for my needs but to also help others.
Onome: (At this point I was crying) I’m so sorry you had to
go through that but would you say you were addicted to sex?
Opeyemi: Yes I was, couldn’t go a week without sex. Along
the line I got pregnant by one of my older boyfriends, I tried getting rid of
the pregnancy but was unable to do that. That was how I had my first son. It
was a disgrace on my part then but after giving my life to Christ, it became a
blessing to me and my family.
Onome: How did your parents react when they found out you
were pregnant?
Opeyemi: Hmmm…my
mum, a mother I can’t trade for anything, accepted me with all her heart, but
my wonderful dad, being disappointed in me at first, was so bitter and he
angrily told me to move to the man’s house.
Onome: What did you do at this point?
Opeyemi: My mom kept on pleading that he should let me stay.
I kept crying because I didn’t know what to do.
Onome: Did people stigmatise, did your friends laugh at you?
Opeyemi: Yes, a lot of them. In fact, I almost cried my eyes
out.
Onome: So sorry. Did the father of the baby accept
responsibility?
Opeyemi: The father of the baby accepted the responsibility
and was providing what he could afford for a particular period, but suddenly he
stopped. When I realized, I told him I couldn’t marry him. My sister, that was
just the tip of the iceberg oo! There’s a lot more to say.
Onome: (Sigh) We are here for the story. Please take your
time (At this point we were both getting emotional).
Opeyemi: I started sleeping with different men and boys
after I stopped breastfeeding my son. There were times I slept with two or
three men in a day, I masturbated and In fact, I tried lesbianism once. I just
couldn’t stop myself. I travelled to different places like Lagos, Abuja, Minna
and a lot more to meet with men I had never seen before.
Onome: Did you at any point, abort a pregnancy?
Opeyemi: The first time I aborted, it was painful. I even
landed in the hospital but at a point, I got used to it until Christ himself
saved me. I had nothing less than 10 abortions, 6 D &Cs and the rest with
drugs. I went for nursing training which exposed me to all the drugs I could
use instead of going through the stress of D&C. Onome Jesus loves me,
that’s all I can say.
Onome: How and when did you get born again?
Opeyemi: I love to answer that question with a smile because
that was how I experienced a sudden change in my life. I got born of Christ
totally, and finally in the year 2017, with my husband’s help, I received the
baptism of the Holy Ghost. It happened through a phone conversation also, all just
within a space of three months.
Onome: How did you meet your husband?
Opeyemi: I have been
waiting for this to come. I met my husband at my brother’s wedding. I was to
serve his food that day, he appreciated me and my stature. That was how the
friendship started, but it was just a lustful friendship. We had to break up
our friendship for a while, I guess it’s the Lord’s doing, in order to make the
relationship a pure one because we were already lusting after each other, but
we didn’t date. We came in contact again in the first month in January of 2017.
Onome: How did you
guys start dating?
Opeyemi: We were just discussing on phone that day and he
asked me a strange question, “Can you marry a pastor?” I never wanted to marry
a pastor but I told him to let the will of God be done. I was not born again
then oo! but I was tired of the promiscuous lifestyle. So my behaviour had
reduced to the minimum, you know as a normal worldly person, one boyfriend at a
time. So he told me to go and pray about it, which I did but what I did not
understand, was how someone would have peace about an issue when you are not
saved? Because I had peace to go with him when I prayed about him that was how
we started.
He gave me different books and asked me to read the Bible every day, starting from the new testament and explain what I read in the book, then take pictures and send it to him every day. Until one day, I told him I masturbated and he asked if I have given my life to Christ, I said yes but no more in Christ; so he led me to Christ that day. Onome, 2017 was the year the Lord changed my story.
Onome: After you got born again, did you still have sex?
Opeyemi: Yes I did but with a man. Truth is, addiction is
not something you just stop, it’s gradual. I had sex four or five times before
my wedding.
Onome: Was it with your husband?
Opeyemi: My husband fulfilled his promise to abstain from
sex until we got married but I did not. I had sex anytime I needed something urgently
and it was delaying.
Onome: Was your husband aware you did this?
Opeyemi: I confessed to my husband and he forgave me. Each
time I messed up I felt bad but I was relieved when I confessed to him and we
moved on.
Onome: When would you say you stopped?
Opeyemi: I just knew it was gradual but a few months to my
wedding I stopped totally. I honestly think I’m a product of grace. God loves
me and He is a merciful father. I saw God’s love through my husband. I kept
messing up but he chose to stay with me. We got married 22nd September 2018 and
God gave us a son in June 2020. Like I said I’m a product of God’s love.
Onome: Thank you for sharing your story Opeyemi. Hope you
don’t mind me interviewing your husband for a follow up of this story?
Opeyemi: He is looking forward to it. He was the one who
encouraged me when I got the nudge to share my story.
Onome: Thank you!
CONCLUSION
“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved
us so much, 5 that even though we were
dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.
(It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)” Ephesians 2: 4-5.
Opeyemi’s story felt like I was listening
to Hosea and Gomer’s story in real life. It’s a story of God’s love! I don’t
how far you think you have gone but our father is rich in Mercy and love. He is
waiting for you and just like Opeyemi, he will give you beauty for ashes.
Ps: Fam, I would be interviewing Opeyemi’s husband very soon for a follow up of this story. Stay tuned!
There is nothing regular about this couple; theirs is a
story of love, patience, God’s intervention and grace. It is not just exciting
but it is also a beautiful story.
David and Victoria are my friends and their love would make you jealous. The way David watches out for Victoria and the way he protects her, is something I admire. The interesting thing about them is their friendship. Victoria is the shy one while David is quite outspoken. It’s a perfect blend but what amazes me the most, is how they always look out for each other.
Beyond love and affection, is the commitment they share and how passionate they are about purpose. Victoria has been a great helpmeet and I’ve seen how she supports and encourages David when he goes out to minister or when he holds his programme.
Another gist about this couple is that they share the same
birthdate and today is their birthday.
Interviewing this couple was a great experience because they
were both real and their story is one you will learn from.
It is time to meet this beautiful couple, so grab your
bottle of orange juice and get a slice of cake to step down with, while you
read how God wrote Victoria and David’s love story.
Onome: Tell us something about you and what makes you special?
Victoria: Everything about me is special, Onome and it’s because God is my creator. He is the most special person on earth, and He created me, thus, I am special.
I am Victoria Adeola Ibitoye (nee Ajayi), I am a child of
God and an Accountant by profession, trained at the Federal Polytechnic, Offa.
I served in Rivers State. I love reading, dancing, travelling and I also love
music.
David: The scriptures from A to Z testify to it about me. I am special because God says so. After all, why will Christ die for a nobody?
I am David Iyanuoluwa Ibitoye. I am saved and I love Jesus more
than my breath. I want to die loving Him. I am an alumnus of the great
University of Ilorin; the Better By Far University, and the Nigerian Baptist
Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso. Needless to say, I am a pastor. I got born
again in the year 2009. I love music, reading, travelling (not on Nigerian
roads though), gisting and meditating. I’m a lazy writer but oftentimes I
stumble on writing and it comes out fine…I guess.
Onome: Tell us about your waiting season
Victoria: God helped me during my waiting season because I decided from the beginning, not to play around. I wanted my first love to be my husband, and God did just that for me. Not that I didn’t have suitors, some of them looked so much “like it”, but God helped me out.
At a time, I looked at many of my friends getting engaged
and I was just there, but the Holy Spirit kept encouraging me to wait and I did
just that. Then God showed me, love, by giving me the best man on earth as my
husband.
David: Well, when I was single, I was helped by God. I had a breakup as a teenager. I was the one who broke up. I regret that decision because I knew I hurt the lady. So, I decided never to enter into any other relationship unsure. I promised myself before God that my next girlfriend would be my wife, and God helped me.
Onome: How did you meet your husband/wife and how did you know he/she was the one?
Victoria: On the 3rd of August 2014 in church,
after the Sunday school class he took, he asked me to please wait behind to see
him, for an important discussion after service, which I did. Interestingly, I
wasn’t expecting it. I thought he wanted to discuss some “Kingdom assignment”
with me (not as if toasting me was not kingdom assignment though), to my
amazement, he told me he would like to walk life’s journey with me, and that
was it. He did not over-spiritualize the proposal, he didn’t try to impress me
or sweep me off my feet with some spiritual talk. He just said, “I love you
sister Vic, and I will like you to be my wife.” What impressed me the most was
that his words were brief and straight to the point. With a little sprinkle of
arrogance which I enjoyed though, he asked if I would like to be disturbed for
my answer or if I would just get back to him whenever I was ready. I loved
that. I told him I prefer not to be disturbed.
Actually, immediately he came, I had this inner peace in my
spirit man, compared to what I had experienced with other suitors. But you
know, as a lady, I didn’t want to rush into my response like that, so I told
him I would get back to him, and I did on the 1st of October 2014 after being
fully convinced by the Holy Spirit.
David: Actually, I have received her since 2010. That year,
I was working a menial job and came home hungry one day. I was scrambling for
what to eat at home but couldn’t find any. So I went to my mom’s WMU bag (Women
Missionary Union, it’s the women arm of the Baptist denomination) for WMU
biscuits and the likes and was disappointed again. While searching inside the
bag, I saw a picture of a prison evangelism team of my church and saw my
fiancée among the prison evangelists.
Then I clearly heard the Holy-Ghost say (so audibly, I had
to turn back to check if someone was behind me) “That is your wife” and that
was it. Though I ignored for some time because I wasn’t at first pleased with
it, God had to teach me how to love His will, and if I have to choose over and
over again, I would still choose my Victoria. In 2014 after having been fully
convinced by the Lord and just after graduating Unilorin, I went to deliver my
manifesto to her after a Sunday service. Three months later she said yes.
Onome: How was it like preparing for your wedding?
Victoria: Hmmm… I would say interesting but ours was a
testimony so I would say God did it.
David: God gave us a word in Matthew 22:2 “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son”… That was it. God told us in the order of heaven, the Father makes marriages for His children, so He began to give us specific instructions on what to do. He sent many angels in human form to us. For example, when it was time to get introduced and it was looking impossible, it was one of my Pastors, Reverend Shola Sangoleye, who advised us to just pick a day and trust God. We chose November 30 and God made it work. Then we were left with the wedding date. We found it hard to conclude on a day, then God just told us to pick by faith. We settled eventually for May 30, then coronavirus came. We decided we were not going to shift the day for anything. God granted our hearts’ desires and it worked out just fine. To God be the glory!
Onome: What is the place of God in choosing a partner?
Victoria: God is the author of marriage. Any relationship
that will not become a snare must be God’s idea. Even with the partner that God
gives you, there are lines to straighten out, not to talk of jumping into it
all by yourself…
David: The thing is that no man knows himself fully, not to talk of another person. Even if you court a lady for 20 years, you still don’t get to know an inch of what she is. So, why not take the short-cut; go through her Maker who knows all about her? He calibrated her being so He is the best person to tell you if it is safe to marry some lady or not. Furthermore, God knows your capacity as a person. He gives you the partner that your faith and desire can walk with. No one is perfect, but if you choose without His leading, the probability to choose the one your faith cannot walk with is incalculable. Thus, God is not to be an after-thought after choosing someone, but the One Who directs your heart into what to do. Not all good, godly, born-again ladies are right for one o! so we must not be fooled into gambling with our marital lives.
Onome: so David and Victoria, How did you keep yourselves
while dating? How did you abstain from sex, what was your secret?
David: My wife is the best person to answer this
Victoria: (smiles) Honestly, God kept us. We were determined
from the onset to keep ourselves. Our father in the Lord, Reverend Paul Debo
Adeyemi told us when we just started, that the lady should be at the driver’s
side. I sat comfortably at the driver’s side ooo! Our Reverend further advised
us that whenever we were alone, we should beware of tempting situations. We
were able to achieve this. Whenever I go visiting my single fiance, I would
sleepover at someone else’s place instead of his, because we were wise enough
not to trust ourselves prodigally. Sex is worth waiting for. Thus, it is unwise
to rush into it.
Onome: Hmmm.. Thanks, guys. The last question. What’s your
advise to singles who are waiting?
Victoria: I will put it in one sentence and that sums it up;
It is good to wait for God’s time because His time is the best.
David:Firstly,
relax! Build a relationship with God first. Don’t start emergency prayer life
when you’re looking for a partner. The God you cannot hear when you’re deciding
which cloth to wear, you can never hear when deciding whom to marry.
John Piper’s daughter once said, “A girl should get so lost in God that a man has to know God to find her.” That ought to be everyone’s maxim. Just get lost in loving God, you will be found by a lover of God.
Onome: It has been a great time with you guys. Thank you for
your time, we do appreciate you.
David and Victoria: Onome,
It is an honour, we appreciate the opportunity to share our story!
Onome: Oh, happy birthday guys, God bless and increase you
on all sides.
David and Victoria: Onome, we appreciate. Amen. Thank you.
CONCLUSION
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take”. (Proverbs 3:5-6) NLT
There are days it gets overwhelming, I know being single is
not fun when you see everyone around you getting engaged or married but God is
not done with you. Let this Love story encourage you in your wait, I’ve known
Victoria for more than 15 years and I know her to be so committed and faithful
to God’s work and God blessed her with the best.
David had to submit his will and desire to God and God the
perfect fit for his purpose and assignment. He had to allow God to teach him
how to love this special woman. David has been my friend for more than 10 years
and each time we talk about love and marriage, he was never worried because he
believed God had his best interest at heart.
You think God is late, He is not. He is busy writing your
love story, be patient and trust His timing.
I look forward to sharing your story.
PS: Don’t forget to show our couple some love in the comment
section, it’s their birthday let’s wish them well.
I almost forgot I promised God, that if He sponsors our wedding, I would share the testimony. When my husband reminded me last week, I knew the time had come to share our wedding testimony.
It was my birthday and I was meditating with the father asking Him what He would have me do this New Year and he said marriage was the next assignment. I was genuinely surprised because I felt I wasn’t ready and kept asking myself where the money for the wedding ceremony would come from. That same day, my lover proposed and I knew God meant business. After the Euphoria of the proposal, I had to ask my lover how we were going to do the wedding because there was no money anywhere and we had no rich uncles to run to.
It wasn’t just that, my lover had taken a loan from a
microfinance bank about four months ago that he was still repaying and it
didn’t make any sense that we would choose to get married when he was not done
paying the loan but all that mattered to us was that God had given a go ahead and
we were ready to obey.
After the date was chosen, we started praying and each time we prayed God kept speaking to us that he was with us. I panicked, I was scared but each time I prayed I felt this peace that passes human understanding.
Three months to the wedding, it wasn’t looking like it;
then the Holy Spirit started teaching me about confessions. He told me to write
what I wanted for the wedding. He also gave me Philippians 4:19 (MSG) and I
went ahead to write my confessions. I started making the confessions morning
and night. Each time I made the confessions I felt this new level of
confidence. Two months to the wedding, it still wasn’t looking like it. Our
invitation cards were not ready and it felt as though the wedding would be
postponed.
My faith began to shake but my lover kept encouraging
me. Watching him make plans even without the finances boosted my faith; so I
took the backseat to see what God would do. I remember having a vigil with my
close friends I call sisters and we prayed together. A word of prophecy came
out that God would supply all my needs and I should just relax. I started
praising God knowing He would come through.
We were preparing to travel home for our counselling session when the Lord told me to sow a seed. I didn’t feel like it because I already had a budget for the money at hand and as at that time, I had not bought anything and the wedding was just in two months. I called my husband and he told me to go ahead with the seed that if we wanted God to sponsor the wedding, then we have to be obedient 100%. I sowed the seed in faith and by January God started coming through.
The finances started coming in and for every monetary
gift we received, we paid our tithes and in some cases, we even paid 20%. It
felt stupid but since we wanted God to be the sponsor, we had to trust Him
completely. Our invitations came out a month to our wedding and honestly we
still had a lot to do. Needs kept coming and God kept providing. The wedding
day was getting closer and God kept sending men our way to help us. Our parents
kept sharing testimonies every day of how God was sending men to help and
support them, they would tell us how this person dropped this and how that
person donated that. I was just so dumbfounded because indeed God came through.
Two days to the wedding, my mum called me to tell me
that we were yet to buy drinks. I was worried but I knew God that started the
good work will complete it so I went on to sort some other needs and I
completely forgot but God did it again.
My mum was telling me after the wedding how God showed up that He didn’t just provide the drinks, there was even more than enough funds to sort out every other need.
It still felt like a dream. God had gone ahead of us to
make all the crooked paths straight. He made the two days glorious and He alone
deserves all the glory. I also want to say a big thank you to all our friends
who decided to take up the ministry of intercession; we could feel your prayers
and a lot of them also made sacrifices. We had friends who gave their all,
cancelled all their appointments and travelled from Thursday till Sunday. We
love you guys passionately.
We enjoyed the gift of men and God showed Himself
faithful indeed.
CONCLUSION
“God is not a man that He should lie, Nor the son
of man that He should repent.
Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken and will He not make it good and fulfil it?” (Numbers 23:19) Amplified bible
Planning a wedding for us was a step of faith; all we
did was obey God. What is that assignment God is asking you to do or is He even
telling you to get married but the present circumstances does not look like it?
Our wedding is proof that God never fails. Our resources were not enough but he multiplied our little and gave us abundance. The journey of faith requires obedience and complete trust in God knowing that He will do what He says.
If your wedding is around the corner and you are trusting God please don’t give up and at the same time don’t try to impress anyone. I tried my best not to put my husband under any pressure because I didn’t want him angry and cranky after the wedding.
We planned with what we had and God surpassed our
imaginations. I don’t know what you are trusting God for but let our testimony
be a proof that there is a God who never fails and with Jesus in your boat, you
can smile at the storm. When it feels tough, keep praising and dancing, that
weapon confuses the enemy.
God never fails.
If you missed our love story click here to read it.
