Be: 1997

Genesis 2:18 NIV
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

God knew that I needed to have someone to be a part of this life journey with me; however, I tried to take matters into my own hands at first. After becoming one of Jesus's disciples, I started taking my sisters in Christ on dates in order to encourage them. Unfortunately, I thought that I liked every single sister I took out. You see, before Jesus became my life, not too many women gave me any kind of attention, and the relationships I had with those who did were unhealthy ones. After Christ, I got so much attention from them that I thought that there was a chance that one of them wanted to be with me for life. I was so fickle back then! It wasn't until January of 1995, when I was told to back off of pursuing a relationship with a sister that I was interested in, that I chose to surrender the situation to God and not make it a priority in my life. I decided to stop pursuing a dating relationship and just focus on encouraging my sisters with dates--no agenda. That was what God was looking for from me, because 1 week after making that decision, not only did Sanford Greene and Lesli Lawrence start dating steadily (they eventually married each other), but God also placed Michelle Meachen in my path. We instantly became friends, fell in love, and started dating each other steadily within three months of her moving from Hawaii(!) to South Carolina. We married each other on March 1, 1997. Michelle is the second greatest gift I've ever received from God; I'm so thankful to Him for entrusting her to me. She has been through this entire worship leader journey with me from its early stages; she has seen me at my best and at my worst, and yet, she's STILL with me! I tell ya, only by God's Spirit!

1997 was a milestone for me because I learned that there is a difference between going by my emotions and living by the Holy Spirit within me. Going by your emotions can lead you to uncertainty, doubt, and quite honestly, foolishness; living by the Holy Spirit leads you to God's will for your life, and there is certainty, confidence in Him, and wisdom, not to mention true peace. God knows what's best for you. Trust in Him and seek to know His will for you.