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While growing up, I hated the thought of singleness. I worried about becoming an old maid, and this worry often controlled me! I lacked faith and trust in my Creator, that the Lord knew what was best for me. It wasn’t until November 2002 however, that God finally got a grip on my heart and brought me to the point of brokenness over my lack of faith. It was then that I committed my future husband to the Lord and placed my trust entirely in God and His plans for my life. Once I repented of my disbelief, peace and contentment filled my heart, and I could completely focus on the Lord and His will.
Soon after that time, the Lord opened an opportunity for me to go to India in January of 2003. I watched excitedly as God provided every need in order for me to go. As I made preparations for India, many people said to me, “Oh, maybe you will meet your special ‘someone’ on this trip!” I dismissed those comments, instead praying that I would not allow any personal motives for going to India. I did not want my singleness to be a distraction for me, but an asset. I could then be focused on serving others, not self.
As soon as our plane landed in India, I was mesmerized by the culture...the people, the transportation, the food. Our group was welcomed at the airport by smiling nationals and some of our fellow teammates who had arrived ahead of us. David Denton was one of the advance team, and he kept us interested on the bus ride to the orphanage with many fun stories, answering all of my questions with a ready wit and a genuine heart for the people of India. This was my first conversation with David. I enjoyed his company, but thought nothing more of it, until something significant happened late one night.
It was Thursday, January 30. I was lying in bed, praying for the other team members and asking God to use each of them to teach me something. I’d prayed for several of the team members by the time that I began praying for David. I thanked the Lord for David’s godly leadership, his obedience and faith in the Lord, and for the way God had used him to encourage me. As I was thanking God for allowing me to be a friend to him, it was if God gently tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Jill, this is the guy you have been praying for to be your husband.”
I cannot hope to persuade you how clear His still, small voice was, but I knew that it was the Lord. I began silently weeping and praying that I would keep my mind focused on the Lord, completely trusting Him and allowing Him to work. I did not want to get in the way of God’s plans or timing. In the following days, the Lord proved to be very gracious to me and daily helped me keep my eyes on Him (the Lord, not David!).
As soon as I got home from India, I told my mother, “I met the boy I am going to marry!” She asked me about David, and I told her all about his character. I told her, “Mom, he is everything I have prayed for!” My parents asked me if I thought David was interested in getting to know me better. I explained to them how I didn’t show any interest in David while in India, nor did he show any interest in me. I told them about the Thursday evening prayer and how I knew that the Lord had spoken to me. At this point, I shared with my parents that I had made a commitment to completely trust the Lord and allow Him to do the work. My parents were very supportive of this decision, and they also knew that if it were God’s will, everything would fall into place
.The next several months were a huge test for me…a test of my trust and faith in the Lord. At times I doubted His promise, and I grew impatient, but each time, God would ever-so-gently remind me that He was in control. In my heart, I knew that I would see David again, but I had no idea when! The waiting and wondering killed me at times! My family grew weary of me, saying I was “a pitiful mess.” Every time the phone rang, I thought, “I wonder if that is David.” (Yes, I know he hadn’t ever shown interest in me, but a girl’s got to dream, right?) This dreadful anticipation and uncertainty, yet implicit faith and trust in my Creator God lasted from the end of the India trip in February until July!
On several occasions during this L – O – N – G time, I was able to see David, visit with him, and get to know him better. With each visit, my heart only raced faster…I wondered how in the world I was still living!
My first visit with David after India was at the end of February. When David and Brian called to ask if they could stop by for a brief visit on their way home from a children’s conference, I jumped at the opportunity! One of my closest friends, Katee, who also went to India, joined us that evening. I’d told Katee of my interest in David, and she was faithfully praying with me, but I was careful to not let on to David my interest in him. My parents met David briefly, and they hoped to see him later to get to know him better. We had a blast, and I loved being with David and Brian.
When the school I teach at went on spring break, I decided at the last minute to book a cheap flight to Michigan to see Amanda Canaday, a friend from the India trip. My four-day visit was refreshing and fun, and the day before I left Michigan…guess who showed up? Yes, David and Brian arrived home early from a trip to Virginia! Needless to say, I wasn’t in Michigan anymore; I was on Cloud 9! Though there was still no clear evidence whether or not David was interested in me, I just enjoyed getting to know him better, thankful that God allowed me to be around him. I was daily praying for David and daily placing my faith in the Lord regarding my future.
On Sunday, April 13, I received my first-ever phone call from David. I nearly forgot how to breathe! David called because he was passing through my town, West Memphis, on his way home to Michigan from Texas. He and a friend stopped by that evening and visited with my family, my friend Katee, and me. This just made the wait for God’s timing even harder…I couldn’t let on that I was interested, but I kept asking God to clue David in!
Then on May 19, the coolest thing happened! Katee and I went to the airport to pick up my friend from Michigan, Amanda. When we arrived home, there stood David in my yard! He’d worked out with Amanda to surprise me, since they were both headed to the same conference. I screamed. I wanted to jump out of my car, run up and tell him that I love him…but I thought better of it. Instead, we invited David to stay for dinner with my family the following day before driving on to the conference. This gave us the opportunity to get to know him on a more personal level. We all enjoyed David’s company, and my family said they could see why I was drawn to him.
Not long after this visit (May 25 to be exact!) David called me. Very carefully, David approached his main point like a herd of buffalo stalking its prey. He wanted to be sure that I wasn’t getting the wrong impression from our friendship. Well, with the big question now on the table, I responded to David with how I really felt. I related to him how the Lord had given me clear direction in India. I also told David how I had specifically prayed for my future mate for several years and that he fit the description perfectly of the person in my prayers. But, I also assured David that I didn’t want him to do anything unless he knew the Lord was directing him, so that God alone receives the glory! Then David dropped the bomb on me. He shared, almost matter-of-factly, that he had not received direction from God about me, but that he was praying for me. At first I felt sad and discouraged, but the Lord reminded me that His timing is perfect. Another test of my faith began.
I received two other phone calls from David: one on June 6, one on June 8. Each phone call was delightful; we talked and talked as friends, and laughed a lot! After hanging up with him, I felt we were really getting to know each other, and I just floated around Arkansas, nearly glowing, with a huge smile on my face!
After June 8, I did not hear from David until a month later. During this wait, I became more discouraged. I began to get sad and heartbroken. On July 4, late in the night, I fell on my face before God and cried. I said to the Lord, “You know how I feel about David. God, I want to trust you completely, but I am getting weary, and I confess that to you, Father. If it is not your will for me to be with David, then cut off all communications with David until my heart heals completely. Lord, I just want to be in the center of your will, and I want my life to bring you the glory you deserve.”
I meant every word of that prayer, though it was hard for me. Well, God didn’t take long to confirm to my heart what His will was. The very next day, July 5, I received my first e-mail from David. He was responding (a month late!) to a little note I sent him after he’d visited my home. Coincidence? I don’t think so! This was just the beginning of God’s unfolding plan.
Beginning July 5, David and I communicated daily via e-mail and AOL Instant Messenger. On July 14, David met with his parents and shared his heart regarding me. They encouraged him to seek the Lord and spend some time alone with Him for clear direction. David honored his parents and waited for further direction from the Lord. Soon, God gave both of us confirmation after confirmation. Both sets of parents were in full support of us, and we had complete peace from the Lord.
On August 4, David’s parents gave their blessing for David to talk to my parents regarding our future. On August 11, David arrived in Memphis, Tennessee. That evening, he and my parents sat down and discussed how the Lord led David and I together, and David expressed his desire (and mine) for a future together. My parent’s gave their absolute full blessing! At this point, our relationship became official!
God’s ways are unfathomable. I know without a doubt that God brought David and me together according to His perfect plan and timing! I give Him all the praise and all the glory. I am excited about the days ahead, and I can’t wait for the day I have dreamed about: our wedding day!
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