As most of us are aware, here in the Bible Belt, religion plays a big part in many peoples daily lives. Well, at least on Sunday.
While working on a recent story I met two people, Brian and Naomi, who not only allow God to play a part in their life on Sunday, but every other day of the week as well.
As a little girl, my best friend and I used to put wash cloths on our heads with a head band and then practice walking down the aisle with flowers from our mothers kitchen table. As we walked we describe the guy at the other end of the aisle, waiting to meet us. I think at the time I was either walking to Joshua Jackson (Mighty Ducks) or Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Zach on Saved by the Bell).
As an adult, I no longer walk with wash cloths on my head, but I continue to argue with God about the man that I plan on marrying. Naomi Mandel did just the same.
As a child Naomi argued with her father when he told her that the most important decision she would ever make was to choose to follow God, "No it's not," she'd respond "who I'm going to marry is the most IMPORTANT decision!"
After reading a devotional, Naomi changed her mind. She was so moved by the love she felt for God and the love that He felt for her she asked God to give her a symbol of their relationship and give her an engagement ring from Him.
Naomi even went to the store to buy herself a plastic ring, but God told her to wait, so she did.
During this time, Naomi became friends with a guy from ACU named Brian. It wasn't long before Naomi realized that Brian liked her for more than a friend and she was quick to set him straight.
"I told him that we could never be more than friends," and Naomi even tried to discourage the friendship, so not to hurt Brian.
But Brian's interest was much more than just physical attraction.
"Within a couple of days of knowing her, I knew God was talking to me about her. I knew He was telling me that I was suppose to marry her."
During this time of friendship Naomi's need for a ring from God continued to grow, but He encouraged her to be patient.
One day while shopping, Brian glanced in a jewelry shop and saw a trail of light leading to an engagement ring and wedding band.
"God told me I was suppose to buy the ring for Naomi," but knowing the way that Naomi felt about him, Brian walked away. But the nagging feeling refused to leave so a few days later Brian returned to purchase the rings.
As nervous as Brian was about giving his gift to his friend, nothing prepared him for Naomi's reaction. "She started crying."
Naomi knew right away that the rings were not from Brian, but from God, through her friend.
Naomi had told both God and Brian that she and Brian weren't going to date, but how can you keep turning down someone who so clearly listens to God, even when told to do bizarre things? It took awhile, but Naomi and Brian started dating and eventually got married.
I can't tell you what Brian and Naomi's faith means to me. When you're single (especially in Abilene, where it feels like everyone else gets married at the age of 18), it's often hard to continue to walk in faith, to believe that God knows both your personal desires and what's best for you.
But as Naomi says, 'no one can pick out a better spouse for you than God'. So if you're luckily enough to have Him speak to you, you'd better listen.
Til next time-Courtnee
