This is the story of how God used the internet (among other things) to teach me to trust in His perfect timing and perfect plan for my life…. and also why online dating no longer gives me the creeps.
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Photo by Tindall Farmer |
Let’s rewind to 2010.
And yes, Jesus is the best spouse a gal could ask for.
Over the next month some things happened that, well, let’s just say that peace and contentment with being single was long gone. Long story short, I had hit my limit, and I was frustrated with God.
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Defiant Deanna’s Catholic Match Profile Picture. |
And convinced that God just wasn’t going to help me in the dating department, I signed up for CatholicMatch.com and paid for a two month membership.
By the beginning of April I was back to being skeptical about this online dating thing. Sure, it had connected me with a few guys in my area. It had even provided an entertaining and awkward date. But this really didn’t seem like it was going anywhere. I decided that once my subscription ran out, I wouldn’t renew it. Why did I think I could try to do this without God’s help? I didn’t realize it at the time, but God was doing more heart and soul surgery on me. I may have thought I was “gonna show Him,” but really God was leading me into something deeper and more perfect.
Because He’s just good like that.
And there he was.
I decided I would send him a message, which simply said something like:
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Note: Never underestimate the power of a smiley face 🙂 |
Within a day or so, Michael actually responded. Before I knew it we were instant messaging and emailing almost every single day. I think what stood out the most over those first few emails and online conversations was Michael’s ability to make me laugh, and the sincerity in which he said he would pray for me.
Stuff was getting real.
Friday, June 4th was going to be the big day. Michael and Sayf would be in town until Monday morning, giving Michael and I the weekend to get to know one another. As the day got closer, I got more nervous and excited, and prayed that this would be exactly what God wanted it to be.
Thursday evening, however, I got a bit of a surprise. I was walking out of my evening Zumba class, covered in sweat when Michael texted me. He said that they had gotten into town earlier and wanted to know how I felt about meeting that night..in oh, an hour or so.
I don’t think I’ve ever driven home, showered, dressed, and done make-up that fast in my life.
I got the address to where Michael was staying, and headed out… but before picking him up I stopped by perpetual adoration and prayed. I didn’t know what was going to happen, but I really just wanted God’s will to be done… I prayed the rosary on the drive over to pick up Michael, and with nervous excitement I pulled up to the house.
A handsome young man in jeans and a black T-shirt came out of the house. I got out of my car, and with a smile and a crazy bunch of butterflies in my stomach, walked towards the man I’d met on online.