Friday Fifth Week of Lent
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Ezekiel 37:12-14, Psalm 130:1-8 Romans 8:8-11, John 11:1-45
“I know the plans Ihave for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11-13
I won’t sugarcoat this. Waiting is hard! Sometimes waiting is painful and it seems as though what we want will never come. There are times when we finally get what we wanted, but we never saw it coming! Waiting patiently is even harder. I have learned, however, that it is so worth it!
I remember it was March 31, 1999. I was a freshman in high school with my first boyfriend. My parents sat me down to tell me we would be moving that summer from Brandon, MS to Nashville, TN. I, obviously, was beside myself. I was 15 years old, and my life was officially ruined! That summer, my brother, my only friend that had been with me my entire life because of moving so much, went off to college and I moved with my parents.
I started at a new school that was very different from my old school. I met this guy named Bryan that I had a few classes with, and he seemed interesting, like someone I might want to get to know better. Just before Christmas break, he came over to study with me for our Algebra exam. I had learned that he liked chocolate chip cookies, and since my mom was my best friend (and still is to this day), I told her this. She made sure to keep the freshly baked cookies coming while we studied. Now that I’m a mom myself, I know she was just keeping tabs on us.
Shortly after this study session, he asked me out on our very first date. We, along with his two younger siblings, went to a Nashville Predators hockey game on December 18, 1999, which happened to be my mom’s birthday. (She really is a saint for allowing this!) Bryan and I dated until the spring of 2002 when I broke things off with him. He had gone to college in the fall of 2001, and at 18 years old, I felt that he was “taking me for granted”. Now that he was in college, all of a sudden, he was asking me to help pay when we went out on dates. Little did I know, this was simply because he was a young college kid who didn’t have much in the way of an income. He wanted desperately to hang out with me, but just plain couldn’t afford to like he could when he lived at home with his parents paying for all of his life expenses.
All through college we both dated other people. I can’t speak for him, but I always found myself comparing my dates to those with him. I prayed all through college that I would someday meet “the man of my dreams”. All I ever wanted was to be a stay-at-home mom with two kids, a boy and a girl, in that order. That seemed like reasonable request.
Bryan was a year older than I was, and just before he was to graduate from college, we ended up chatting on AOL Instant Messenger one night. He told me about a date he had been on recently. He said he gave the girl his number and asked her to call him. At this time, it had already been a few days and she still hadn’t called. He asked me what he should do. I told him that the ball was in her court, and if she wasn’t calling, it was probably time to just let it go. One thing led to another, and he told me that he would be commissioning into the Air Force soon and asked if I would be willing to go to the ceremony. He said, “You were with me when I started this journey, and I’d like it if you were there for this next big step.” I hesitantly agreed to attend. I immediately called my mom and asked if she and my dad would go with me to the ceremony. I needed an “out” in case I got uncomfortable or was just done and ready to go. My parents graciously agreed.
May 7, 2001, the day of the ceremony came, and my parents and I drove the 45 minutes to his college. I brought my little point and shoot camera to document the day. I was trying to take photos of all that was happening, but I was sobbing. I had to give the camera to my dad to take photos. I was too shaky, and they were all coming out blurry, much like my vision at the moment. After the ceremony, Bryan told me that his parents were hosting a barbecue at their house that evening to celebrate. Again, he asked if I wanted to attend and again, I asked my parents to go with me in case I needed an out!! They, being the wonderful parents they have always been, agreed and joined me at the barbecue. Bryan and I were in our own world that night. (Sorry, Mom and Dad. I kind of left you on your own.) Eventually, my parents were ready to go home, but I was not. Bryan was heading back to his apartment that night to celebrate with his friends and asked if I wanted to go too. I checked with my parents, and they agreed that it was fine. I packed a bag and off I went. Bryan brought me home the next morning, which happened to be Mother’s Day. (Gosh, Mom, I’m sorry again!!)
One of my best friends was getting married that summer. She and I had a trip to Florida planned the next week as a last hurrah before her wedding. Bryan and I agreed that we needed some time to think before we committed to being in a relationship again. This seemed like the perfect time. We agreed not to talk at all and see how we felt after the week. That week was pure torture!! I missed him so much. He told me later that he had the same feelings all week. As soon as I was home from Florida, we started talking again, and it felt like we had never missed a beat. My mom told me much later about her feelings the day of his commissioning ceremony. Her words were “I’ve never witnessed someone falling in love before that day.”
Needless to say, it became very clear to me that my prayers were answered. I never gave up on God and knew that the perfect guy was out there somewhere for me. I just had to relax and trust Him. Turns out, he was right in front of me the whole time!! It also turns out that God had bigger plans for our family than either of us ever knew. Remember how I said I wanted 2 kids? Bryan wanted 3. God had us compromise with 4 kids, and I wouldn’t change a thing about it!! I am so thankful that I waited patiently for the husband I always dreamed of. God knew exactly what was in store for me, and I thank Him every day for the life I am living!
Katie Williams is married to her high school sweetheart, Bryan who has been active duty in the Air Force for almost 18 years. She was a stay-at-home mom until this year when she took on the role of being an aide in the three year old Pre-K class at Wylie. Katie and Bryan have three daughters and son who keep them on the go, but they wouldn’t change it for a thing!
