Gò0dNews for Men
A Good and Perfect Gift
W
by Chuck Cleveland
hen I asked God for a Christian wife, I
asking me, “What was it you recently prayed about?”
sensed His reply was, “What exactly do you
Could Barbara be the answer to that prayer?
want?” Somewhat encouraged, I proceeded
I was starting the book of James the next morning
to make a five-fold request. Barbara meets all five of
and I wondered if God would provide direction from
those characteristics, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
that letter. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask
In February of 1975 I had attended a singles
God, who gives generously to all without finding fault,
retreat over Valentine’s at Kay and Jack Arthur’s
and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must
Reach Out Ranch in Chattanooga. When another
believe and not doubt . . .” (James 1:5-6a). I clearly
retreat was announced for late September that year,
lacked wisdom, but I was ready to believe what God
I encouraged my fellow singles at our church in
would show me.
Atlanta to go, and many of them did. I had a responsibility at the church on Friday night that weekend, but I drove a little over 100 miles on Saturday morning to participate in the remainder of the conference. What I didn’t know was that Kay had concluded her teaching Friday night by asking those present if God wanted them to remain single, would they be willing to do so. Barbara surrendered her desire for marriage on Friday night, only to meet her future husband the next evening. I have no idea why I was sitting by myself toward the rear of the room that Saturday night. But there I was when Barbara came in, looking for a
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, from
seat. I would like to think I would have done the same
the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change
for a less attractive woman, but we’ll never know.
like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). In September
Barbara was very pretty, and I motioned there was an
1975 I took those verses as confirmation that Barbara
empty seat near me, which she hurriedly took.
was indeed the answer to my prayer for a Christian
We met during a break and had a pleasant
wife, and ten months later we married. After forty-five
conversation. We continued that talk the next day at
years together, I continually thank my loving heavenly
the conference and decided to extend our time together
Father for His good and perfect gift.
about spiritual matters turned to romance, but it certainly did, and as I drove home, I sensed the Lord
12 // February 2022
About The Author
Sunday afternoon. I don’t recall when the conversation Chuck Cleveland lives in Newnan, GA and has written for three area magazines, as well as the local newspaper. He has been a Christian for over 50 years.