Ready to stand With the belt of truth girded about me
Ready to stand victorious Obeying the Commander who called me to battle
Ready to stand firm…immovable Cutting off all entanglements…breaking from this world
Ready to stand with an attitude of truthfulness Committed…sincere…without hypocrisy
Ready and disciplined Pursing that which is excellent…not settling for what is good
Ready to endure Run the race…obtain the prize of our high calling
Ready to bring praise, glory and honor To my great God and Savior, Christ Jesus my Lord
Susan Bunts August 20, 2008
For Chris...my love and husband to be. I’m so grateful to have a partner as we endeavor to fight the good fight and seek by the power of God to endure till the end. By His power alone...may we present Jesus our shield covered with arrows from the enemy that missed because of His hand of protection upon us.
Or those who have been deceived and bought the feminist lie
Have a desire to share their life
Know what it is to feel loved, honored and cherished
All too vividly
I remember the pain
Of a lifetime spent alone
With no end was in sight
Each passing year was harder
The pain was always there and cut like a knife
The rejoicing at the blessings of others,
Was followed by a tears shed in the solitude
It is with gratitude and thanksgiving I prepare,
To walk down the aisle
Veiled in white lace
Join hands with my love and say, “I do”
Even as I rejoice in God’s grace towards me
For love unmerited and undeserved
May I be humble and remember in prayer
The heart of the woman who still dreams of “that day”
By Susan Bunts
August 12, 2008
At no time have I been more aware of the ubiquitous desire of women to be married and be loved by a husband than when a precious friend who has the heart and mind of a child shared her desire to one day marry.
I spent far too many years alone.I had bought...hook, line and sinker...the feminist lies.You know the ones I mean.The line that “a woman needs a man, like a fish needs a bicycle” or that “men and women are basically the same”.Yeah right!Anyone who has spent time with the opposite sex...knows darn good and well...that men and women are very different.It’s not something cultural...however culture may shape the way it’s expressed.But instead it’s inherent...those difference were built in by our Designer.
Those differences are not something good or bad.They simply are.One sex is not superior to the other.One is not good and the other a wretch.Instead God designed us to complement each other and to keep things interesting...and challenging...He made us very different from one another.
That’s not to say...we don’t have our challenges.The differences inherent in our personalities and those between men and women present a challenge to our relationship every day.Add on top of that...the stresses of planning a wedding...and oh baby, baby you’ve got “stress”.
While it’s not always easy it has been wonderful to fall in love, grow in love, to be in love.There is something noticeably different that I can’t quite put my finger on.My sister Denise commented recently that I seem to be more peaceful.I think that’s true...the anxiety and concerns that I will I be alone for the rest of my life are gone.The questioning...am I so unlovable that no body will ever love me...has been answered.
While I know I’m a lot less than perfect...I am most grateful to God for bringing Chris.A man who is mature in his faith.One who sees my flaws but has been able to look past them to see something good that God has given me.He is willing to work through the uncomfortable challenges and differences in us.Working through those times...and coming out on the other side have helped us to become closer.
When my precious childlike friend commented that she desires to one day marry...it was so painful.When I turn and see so many wonderful women around me...women who are smarter or prettier or better than me in so many respects...when I see them in the same predicament that I was for so many years...it hurts.I hurt for them because the pain of unending singleness and lack of romantic love is still very fresh.I know it well and it left many a scar.Part of me is tempted to cry out "Why...I don’t understand it".
Yet...I know in part it’s the consequences and outworking of a society that has replaced marriage and family...with uncommitted sex and self-fulfillment.The millions of single men and women who are alone and lonely have reaped the consequences that have come from poor judgment and sin.Even those who are not outwardly sinning and breaking God’s commands are bearing the brunt of the increasing tidal wave of consequences.
I am so grateful to God for acting on my behalf.Fulfilling my life long dream to be married.For going before both Chris and I...preparing us and fitting us so perfectly for one another.By His divine plan and providence bring two people who otherwise would have never met, much less taken a second look at one another and allowing us to enter into the covenant of marriage.How marvelous and miraculous are Your ways oh God?
God answered my prayer for a husband and Chris’ prayer to be stretched and taken out of his comfort zone...in one fell swoop...by bringing us together.By removing our impaired vision when we first met and allowing us to see one another’s heart.By moving and stirring in our hearts that could have so easily been hardened and settled.By holding our hands as we crossed a mighty river of fear into the unknown.By helping and guiding us to say, “yes God”, when we encountered the scary territories of trusting God and learning to trust each other.
Dare I think that my mighty God who had compassion upon me...He who heard my cries does not hear the cries of my sisters who remain single not by choice?Do I think that God will not be moved to go before them...and give them the desires of their heart?
God is no respecter of persons.What He’s done for me...He is more than able to do the same and mightier works than these...for those whom He chooses to act.
Thus...I must lift up my sisters in prayer.Those whose pain...I know all to well.I also know my God.I know firsthand the compassionate, mighty, out working of His plan according to His perfect will and timing.
I’m 62 and though I’m not what I should be, praise God I’m not what I used to be. I spent many years angry at God, running from Him and tried to deny His existence. Through the loving witness of my neighbors the Bocks, I saw a clear picture of God who loves me. At 32, I recognized I was a sinner, repented of my sins and received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I know that God still answers prayers. For many years I prayed for a husband and on the eve of my 49th birthday, God brought Chris Wachtel into my life and 7 months later we were married. I am conservative in my politics, but a former liberal. I even campaigned for Jimmy Carter and I rue that day. I find liberal leftist thinking, while well intentioned, ultimately flawed. I’ve been abundantly blessed by God with gifted pastors and teachers. I’m most grateful for Pastors Philip De Courcy and Chuck Obremski who faithfully taught the Word of God. I've also grown through BSF and CBS Bible Studies. God has recently moved us 1,500 miles from CA to TX. Not sure what the Lord will be doing in us and through us, but I am grateful to be walking with and depending on Him each day.
