“‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’
– 1 Corinthians 2:9
That’s what God said to me before I met her. I was single, broken, car repoed, no consistent money, depressed off and on, alone with a Motorcyle I’d ride everyday.
I didn’t have plans on loving anybody. I was done hurting people, I was done hurting myself. I told the Lord my plans of being single for however long it took. I simply wanted to stack my money and write my plays…Then, I met ‘her.’
She lived in New York. I had no car, so that was out from the jump. But I couldn’t deny there was something about how she spoke to my spirit. I was broken, I had nothing to offer any woman. I was beyond impressing anyone, but my spirit connected to a hope that seemed long gone.
She drove 6 hours to meet me! When I met her, I froze. I felt like I’ve known her forever, how could I have? I wanted to be tough yet, I was completely unraveled. I prayed fervently, ‘God, get her OUT of my life.’ Why? Because I was afraid. I was afraid to fail and afraid to be rejected.
God calmed my spirit and showed me that this relationship would minister to my broken soul. God didn’t send me a fling, he sent me help. When he said to himself, ‘It’s not good for man to be alone,’ he knew man’s proclivity to get into ‘things’ when he has no help. Women are God’s ‘7th’ Good. The number of perfection. He created everything she needed first, then he made ‘her.’ The last and best design and she was built with the Holy Spirit in her, which we call ‘a woman’s intuition.’
I had no idea what God had in store for me, and I still don’t. But he does. He knew the right help I’d need and he also knew what she would need from me. She chiseled me out of myself, out of my hurt, out of my fear.
Collectively we drove over 50,000 miles to get to one another. I rented cars, took a bus, borrowed cars and even tried to take the train until finally getting back on my feet. 6 hour drives began to feel like 30 mins. We’d find ways to be together even if it was 1 day. We’d travel to have dinner dates in Harlem, vibe to PJ Morton in Brooklyn. I’d get my hair cut in the Bronx, befriend her friends, love her family, and understand her language and dreams.
She’d teach me the speed of New York City, the sweetness of Georgia, how to think and move faster, she taught me how to really experience the word of God through deeper studies, how to love my family better, how to speak over my own self greater. I became a better man, she became a better woman, and I knew life without her wasn’t possible.
Within relationships, I’d always had a lot of pride. I had a superhero complex thinking I could save everyone, but my life humbled me to my own frailness. It was then that my heart was humble enough to receive help…the love and care of a good, Godly woman who saw me as a man, not as a hero or a husband, but a man who needs God like everyone else. Someone I could just be myself with, flaws and all.
So I understand the teaching of being perfect before meeting your life partner, but that’s just not true. I wasn’t ready to change until God sent me one worthy enough to change for. I’m not at the finish line, the race has just begun and as of July 7th, 2019, we became one.
I am most thankful for this, as well as my family who supported me through my many transitions, my church who received me and believed in me, my theater company that allowed me to write my pain artistically and my friends who held me together when I was falling apart. Most importantly, I’m thankful for Jesus. I’m thankful he didn’t leave me in the place of where I felt about myself. There aren’t words enough to express my gratitude.
God was right…my eyes hadn’t seen, my ears hadn’t heard, and it would have never even entered into my mind that I’d be here. But he knew, and he loves me, despite me. He’s a good father and he gives good gifts.
‘There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out all fear…’ – 1 John 4;18
Beside me stands my greatest gift, my 7th good, my wife.
P.S. Her Name is Faith.”
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This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Corey Lankford of Central Park, New York. You can follow his journey on Facebook and Instagram. Submit your own story here, and be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories.
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