February 2022

Page 12

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.


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