Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Love Stories Series: God's Perfect Plan- Amylou

This next blogger just radiates Sweetness. When I received her email I was so excited. Even from the computer screen, Amy manages to send her kindness and sincerity your way in comments, personal emails, and especially her own blog posts at her Blog, Amylouwho. So, for a girl who grew up thinking she wasn't a nice kid, her sweet and gentle nature just goes to show that God does have a perfect plan...


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My name is Amy and my husband’s name is Steven. Ours is not the perfect love story. It has it’s ups and downs, but it’s real and I wouldn’t tell it any other way.

Growing up I don't think I was a very nice kid. Don't get me wrong, I tried to be nice and considerate to others, tried to be a good child to my parents, I went to church, made good grades, and stayed out of trouble, but I was so full of bitterness and hurt.

Then I met Steven. He and his mom went to our church. I thought he was such an odd bird and never really paid him much attention. (This sounds so terrible. I hate that I ever felt this way and am even more shocked that I am sharing this.) Then came my sophomore year of high school. He got a car, a nice car.....and I noticed him....because of the car. I liked him for selfish reasons. I wanted a boyfriend like most girls my age did. So we started dating. And big surprise....It didn't last long. My heart wasn't in the right place and I did not treat Steven with respect at all. Harsh words were said on each end. Both of our hearts were broken.

Fast forward and I'm graduating from high school. My heart is in a different place. I have found a new love for the Lord and I realize He can love me back. This was such a crazy concept for me. I didn't think I deserved to be loved, by anyone really that wasn't already obligated to love me. God wanted me to be in a relationship with Him because He loved me...for me. I talked with my youth pastor about wanting to do more for God...to serve Him, and we decided that I would start training to be a youth leader. I was so excited and couldn't wait to start.

That summer I went to youth camp as a camper instead of a counselor. The pastors wanted me to ease into leadership and learn more about the students. It was a wonderful week. I remember really feeling God's love and enjoying the time spent with the kids and preparing for leadership. One evening at the camp during worship, I felt the Lord was telling me that I needed to apologize to someone. I was ready. I prayed that whoever it was I was able to apologize for my actions and make it right. As the week came to a close, I started to get upset. I had no idea who the Lord wanted me to apologize to. When I got home I was so frustrated with God. I didn't understand His plan or why he was waiting to reveal who this person was.

Sunday morning after camp. Back to church. I walk through the doors and see Steven. Clear as day I hear, "Go apologize, because that man will be your husband." I was floored. "No God! Not him!" That was all I could think. "Not him!"  I started to argue with God, thinking to myself, "There is no way I am going over there. No way!"  I'm not sure that I really even believed the part about him being my future husband so much as I just really didn't want to talk to Steven. In fact, I really wasn't attracted to Steven, so there was no way the marriage thing was ever going to happen, as far as I was concerned.

Eventually I gave in. I walked toward Steven terrified. I had no idea what to say to him. It had been over a year since I'd even spoken to him. I think I mumbled out my apology for treating him so badly while we were dating. Then dropped in something like, "Even though you were not a part of camp this year, I think you will be a part of the youth group." I asked him if I could give him a hug, then I did. I'm not sure he even said two words back to me. I made it fast and walked away. I remember thinking, "What was I talking about?" I had no idea why I threw in that last part.

Later that night we hung out as a group and Steven and I exchanged phone numbers...again. We talked for hours. About all the things we did wrong. I continued to say I was sorry. He told me that night that he had really been struggling and that if I had not said anything that morning, it would have been the last time he ever came to that church. Wow! I didn’t know what to say or think. We might have not seen each other again. God had a plan.

The next few weeks followed with me learning that this guy wasn't so bad...maybe he was even kind of cute. We spent lots of time together and on the phone. This turned into talking to our parents and him saying, "So do you want to make it official?" So we did. And we decided that we would be in for the long haul. We would date with the intention of marriage. I couldn't believe it. I was considering getting married to a man that just a short time ago I wasn't sure I was attracted to. God can change your heart. I knew that now.




A little over a year went by and we knew we were in love and were seriously considering marriage. On my birthday in 2007. Steven popped the question. It was the best birthday present I've ever received.



We had a rough engagement, but God got us through. We both knew that God wanted us to be together. That was His plan for us. Our wedding day was the happiest day for both of us. I woke up and I wasn't even nervous. I was a ball of energy and couldn't wait to see Steven! We did a first glance before the ceremony and it was the best thing we could have ever done. I got to see him for such a sweet short moment. Just us and the photographers, but no one else. I had no cold feet. I knew I loved him and couldn't wait to be his.



We knew marriage wouldn't be easy, because we had already had a rough ride. I wouldn't change my life for anything. I am so grateful everyday that I didn't have to "find" my husband. God knew right where he was the whole time. He prepared us for each other.



The Lord constantly amazes me! His plan is perfect. I may not always know what He has in store for us, but I will follow him.

“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”  Proverbs 3:6

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11



If you've enjoyed the series so far, make sure to visit our guest bloggers and show them some love! And get to know Amy over at Amylouwhogirl.blogspot.com. Stay tuned for Courtney Kirkland's Two Part Series coming up this Thursday and Friday!



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8 comments:

  1. Aw that is so sweet! I love your story Amylou! My favorite lyric from Mewithoutyou- "God is love and love is real" God is so amazing and He has ways of surprising us. This was such a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing!<3

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  2. I love this post, and I love this girl! I agree- she is incredibly sweet and I love getting to know her more! And her love story is so great! Thanks for sharing, Jhen! And beautiful love story, Amy!

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  3. I LOVE that God got her attention with a car! God got mine with a letterman's jacket :-)

    When God writes your love story, it doesn't have a happy ending...it just doesn't end!

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  4. A real 'Love conquers all' story!

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  5. Only a true love story would have God at it's core. Beautiful beautiful story, with lots of happiness and love at the end :)

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  6. Jhen thank you so much for this sweet opportunity. I am so glad that the Lord pushed me to share this part of my life. It is now a permanent tab on my blog with a link back to yours. Thank you so much for featuring our story. It was truly an honor. =)

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