A Prayer-Filled Proposal
Seth and I had been dating for 10 months before we finally settled in, had a serious discussion, and began incorporating the word “marriage” into our daily conversations.
When we got engaged a month later and began planning a wedding for just 5 months down the road, many people were shocked, to say the least.
Even though it seemed like a whirlwind, it wasn’t a decision that either of us made lightly.
Often times, when we face big decisions in our lives, we need advice or guidance.
Where do you go to receive this feedback?
I usually turn to my mom, sister, or to a close friend.
It is great to have these kinds of people in your life. Ones who you know you can always turn to and who can steer you on the right path.
However, we are only human.
And, what if that path isn’t really what is right for you?
When we face a crossroads in our life, there is really only one place you should turn for a push in the right direction.
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.”
(James 3:17)
I’ll be completely honest; I do not always involve the Lord in every decision that I make.
I’m as guilty as anyone of picking up the phone and calling someone who I know will provide me with the advice that I want to hear instead of submitting to the Lord in prayer.
However, when I faced the decision of forever with Seth, I knew that it would be one of the most important choices that I would ever make.
I wanted it to be right, and I did not want to be swayed one way or the other.
Sara Claudia and Seth facing the Christmas tree in Blue Ridge, GA.
So, before I talked to anyone, even Seth himself, I talked to the Lord.
This was not just a one-time conversation.
It took months of laying my heart and soul out before Jesus.
Little did I know, that Seth had been doing the exact same thing.
It was clear to me from the very beginning of our relationship that Seth was special.
He bought me a deck of braille UNO cards on one of our very first dates, after all!
Despite this, I was still trying to get used to the whole dating world without my sight, and I had built up a lot of walls around my heart over the past five years.
I spent so much time and effort striving to be independent despite my blindness that it was hard for me to be in a mutually dependent relationship.
In fact, Seth will probably be the first to tell you that I am still not very good at being vulnerable and accepting help from him…but I am trying!
When I began to have deep feelings for Seth, I started to pray that, if Seth was the one that God wanted for me, He would help me break down those walls and let him into my heart.
“And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him. And since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know that He will give us what we ask for.”
(1 John 5:14)
At the same time, unbeknownst to me, Seth was sending up his own daily prayers for our relationship.
Every morning, on his commute to work, he would pray for us.
He prayed that God would allow our relationship to grow, and that, when I was ready, God would prompt him to broach the topic of forever.
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.”
(Proverbs 16:9)
While we were silent to our friends, family, and even each other about these feelings at first, we were bringing them to God daily.
We both realized how important it was to seek His will first, ask for His guidance, and put Him in charge of our hearts and future.
God prepared us and led the way for that first conversation, and, even though we had not spoken about marriage previously, we were on the exact same page.
I am still getting used to referring to Seth as my fiancé, and, in less than 6 months, I get to start calling him “husband”!
I could not be more excited and thankful for this new chapter of my life.
Seth and Sara Claudia smiling at the camera. Sara Claudia's new engagement ring is shown off in this photo.
The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of planning, anticipating, dreaming, and, yes, praying (together now) about our future.
When you are facing a time of uncertainty or a big decision in your life, I pray that you will take the words of Proverbs 3:5-6 to heart.
“Trust in the Lord with all of 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)
Listen for the Lord’s guidance and pray for His will to be done. With patience and persistence, I promise that you will be amazed at the sense of peace and clarity you will receive.
