Only Trust Him

There are Sabbath days when I need to decompress: no people, no smiling, just quiet. The only sound I want to hear is gospel music and a sermon —while I’m still in my pajamas. On those days, I like to “visit” Oakwood University Church and listen to their online sermon. One such occasion caused me to reminisce.

I was a single mother and wary about relationships after the failure of my first marriage. I wasn’t looking for any new relationship, and my burgeoning feelings for my eventual second husband scared me. I felt that this time should be devoted to my young daughter, to my relationship with God, and to developing a healthy love for myself once more, which had suffered tremendous blows and was only just recovering.

One morning, I poured this out to God, begging Him, “Please remove this man from in front of me and set my gaze on You alone!” I told Him that whatever He wanted me to do was what I would do. As I completed my prayer and got off my knees, my cell phone rang. It was Arnold. He had called for us to pray together.

The timing was an indication that God had heard me and was reminding me that He was in control. The more time I spent with Arnold, the more I recognized God’s leading. He constantly sought to develop a spiritual relationship with me and showed respect and regard for my daughter and other family members.

Fast-forward fourteen years, and I recognize that God was answering a prayer I had been praying when I first got married “for a man who loves You more than he loves me.” I figured if he had that kind of relationship with God, I would be in a loving relationship. The memory that morning reminded me that when God is first in every decision, goodness and mercy follow. He never steers us wrong.

Since then, there have been times when I forgot that lesson, but God never leaves me to my own devices for long.

When I compare those occasions with trusting God to guide, I can attest that His way has always been the better —no, the best—way!

Greta Michelle Joachim-Fox-Dyett