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I prayed for a man committed to God.

Jesus smiled, “I and my Father are one.” John 10:30

I prayed for a man that would be a spiritual leader.

Jesus unashamedly declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No man cometh

to the Father, but by me.”  John 14:6

I prayed for a man of hight standards and integrity.

Others testified, “He did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth.”  I Peter 2:22

I prayed for a man of the Word.

Jesus opened up His arms with love as He whispered, “I am the living Word, and

I came to live with you.”  John 1:14

I prayed for a man that knew how to be a servant.

Then I heard others whisper with amazement, “Jesus made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”  Philippians 2:7

I prayed for a man that was full of spiritual life.

He smiled again, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”  John 10:10

I prayed for a man of faith and prayer.

Then I watched with amazement as He went out and spend all night in prayer...for me!  Luke 6:12

I prayed for a man that would provide for my needs.

He not only fed the five thousand long ago, He also feeds me today! Mark 6:41, Philippians 4:19

I prayed for a man that would be the head of the home and a leader.  Someone I could look up to and respect intellectually and spiritually.

Then I realized that not only had Jesus been knocking on my door begging to be allowed to be the head of my home, but He was so far ahead of me intellectually, I would have all eternity to learn from Him.  “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:9

I prayed for a man of steel and velvet...someone that could be strong but also tender at the same time.

Then I remembered Jesus’ words as the mails were driven into His hands, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”  Luke 23:24  And how, when dying upon the cross, some of His last thoughts were to make sure His mother would be cared for.  John 19:26  I also remembered how that when even a little sparrow fell, He noticed and cared.  Matthew 10:29

I prayed for a man that knew how to love others...even the unpleasant outcasts.

Jesus replied, “In that while you were all yet sinners [the lowest outcast],

I died for you.”  Romans 5:8

I prayed for a man that would be the head of the home and a leader.  Someone I could look up to and respect intellectually and spiritually.

Then I realized that not only had Jesus been knocking on my door begging to be allowed to be the head of my home, but He was so far ahead of me intellectually, I would have all eternity to learn from Him.  “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:9

I prayed for someone that I could share my deepest thoughts and dreams with, someone who would walk with me through joys and through sorrows.  Someone that would not only hold my hand, but would hold my heart.  Someone that I could stand behind, love, respect and serve with all my heart.

I looked up in awe as He not only began to walk beside me and hold my hand (Isaiah 41), but also to share with me the hidden riches and secrets of eternity...heart companionship and beauty that I had never had with another. (Isaiah 45:3, Psalm 34:8)  And I just knew that He was someone I could not only love, but stand behind and serve for the rest of my life!

I prayed for someone that would help me walk closer to God.

And the more I got to know him, the closer I drew to God.  Psalm 23, Matthew 6:33

I know this may be frivolous God and it’s a small thing, but could you also send me someone romantic,” I had prayed.  “Someone that will love me so much, that he’ll want me and only me!  That he’ll be willing to do whatever it takes to win me...even bring me chocolate?”

Jesus said nothing as He lay down His heavenly honor to come to earth to win me.  Although I doubted His love and resisted His advances at first, He slowly, sweetly, tenderly won my heart and love.  Then He led me to His great banqueting house, and the banner He put over me was LOVE. (Song of Sol. 2:4)  “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good” He tenderly whispered. (Ps. 34:8)  And as He looked deep into my heart, I knew that nothing would separate us... (Romans 8:35-39) for He had won my heart forever!!

Last, but not least, I prayed for a man that would not be afraid of pain or trails.

Then it was that I realized it was He, Jesus, that was carrying my cross and making the ultimate sacrifice of love...for not just anyone, but for me! (Matthew 16:24, Hebrews 2:9) Tears rolled down my cheeks as I stood in awe.  And my heart melted...

         No, Jesus is not just any man...He is all this and sooooo much more: My Judge, my Lord, my Savior, my Creator, my Redeemer and my King! Truly He is my all in all...the True Love I still have yet to really understand and know! 

         Yes, I still sometimes dream about that "special guy" that will someday walk into my life and bring me chocolates. (And those standards and ideals will not change!) Yet now, I've learned to dream soooo much higher. I have come to learn that truly, Jesus Christ is my ultimate bridegroom and my Perfect Valentine...and He does fulfill the desires of my heart more than any earthly love ever could or ever will!!

        So you see, while a human heart or human hands may not be holding mine, I’ve found my perfect Valentine, and I am happy! In fact, I wouldn't trade Him for the world...not even for a box of chocolates.

 "According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the World that we should be holy and without blame, before Him IN LOVE..." Eph 1:4

I’m a country girl from the Ozarks of Arkansas, currently serving as a "missionary" in Southern California. While a Registered Nurse by profession, most of my time is spent working with various youth ministries, overseas missions, orphan ministries, doing personal evangelism, and writing/blogging to encourage my friends in their walk with God. I love living the adventure of the "Set-Apart Life" and my greatest interest and passion is living daily for my King, and sharing the joy of this journey with others.

      hiking in the mountains  .  teddy bears  .  special dates with God

quiet streams  .  feeding a hungry child  .  heart-to-heart with girlfriends

                                 true love stories  .  morning sunshine

I’ve been a hopeless incurable romantic since I was about five years old.  Like so many other girls, I’ve spent hours dreaming and praying about my “perfect valentine” – the guy who would send me a box of rich chocolates, a card full of “I love you’s” and a dozen red roses. 

 A few years ago, there was a guy in my life that I was very like-minded with, and he was aimed toward the mission field – just like me.  I had actually prayed for over 8 years that if it was God’s will, He would bring us together. However, my hopes and dreams for earthly love came crashing down when he, who also had never dated, started dating one of my close friends. Though at the time, it seemed that my whole world had shattered, I began to realize that God had a purpose for this heartbreak experience.

(Thankfully God gave me grace to stand in full support of their relationship and we are all still very close friends to this day.) But it was through this, the death of my vision, the death of my way, that He [God] really became even more real in my life!

Suddenly, with overwhelming clarity, I realized how God felt about me - How much he loved me, and longed for me to truly be in love with Him. And instead of dreaming of the marriage vows that I hoped to someday share with an earthly prince, the passion of my life began to focus more and more around the vows I should be saying and living daily with my heavenly prince.

 I’m 32 years old - well past the age I thought I would still be single! I’ve continued to

by Melodious Echo

grow through experiences of both joy and pain, and I still haven’t met my prince charming.  But my life is so full and complete in Christ.  And I couldn’t be happier!  While I haven’t always gotten what I asked God for (I’m still waiting for that guy that will send me chocolates), I have to