So, You're Engaged!

By Jacqueline J. Overpeck
Guest Columnist

CBN.com – I will never forget the morning after the day that my husband, Arnie, asked me to marry him. I awoke with a euphoric feeling. The whole world was in harmony. Everything was going my way. There was a gentle breeze outside and the sun was shining. "Could this be real," I asked myself? "Am I really engaged?" I quickly lifted my left hand up and stared dreamily down at my ring finger, which was now adorned with a pure and gleaming piece of ice.

Just then, the phone rang. I jumped up and ran to get it. Maybe it was Arnie! Or if it's not him, then surely it would be some admiring listener who I could tell the romantic story of our engagement to.

It was Arnie. He greeted me and then softly began to sing, "You are sunshine... my only sunshine..." I laughed and cried joyful tears all at the same time. "I will be coming over in about an hour to pick you up, OK?" he asked.

"OK!" I said.

Now what happens? My heart raced. I'm engaged! There is so much to do. What would being engaged be like? Oh my... I am going to be a bride!

My excitement continued to soar. He is going to be here in 30 minutes! I closed my eyes, shook my head, and smiled. I never want to forget this day. I always want to remember this feeling, I told myself. I know that this is going to be the best day ever....

Women passionately press in

Do you remember the morning after you were engaged to be married? Or maybe you are in anticipation of when that day will come for you. You might wonder what it will be like to carry the title of "bride to be." Whether you are looking back, looking forward, or engaged right now... the Lord desires to be a part of this and every unique and special season in your life.

Psalms 62:5-8 says, "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." (NIV)

There is no doubt about it... the Lord created women as one-of-a-kind. Women stand in a place that is all our own. By nature, women passionately press in. We are motivated to discover our own ideas and our own dreams.

Through the metamorphosis of ideas and dreams of going from being a single woman to a married woman, the Lord is there. The Lord understands the intricacy of our emotions and the sensitivity of our hearts. He knows how we long for acceptance, a sense of belonging and for romance. After all, He is the one who placed His very own creative nature within us.

Changing seasons and soaring dreams

The seasons of a woman's life can be complex and trying at times. Which one of us has not placed unnecessary pressure upon herself during the new and different seasons of life? Not only in the season of engagement, but also seasons such as graduation, 20-something, newly married, motherhood can be overwhelming. Often we fill our minds full of ideas of how we can be the best that we can be. As women, we not only long to see our own dreams fulfilled, but we also desire to be instrumental in cultivating God's purpose in the lives of those we love.

It is vital that as we enter into new seasons in our lives that we do not strive in our own strength, but rather remember Psalm 62:5-8. Why get caught up in placing unnecessary pressure upon yourself to make something come to pass in your life? The Psalm says, "My soul waits on God." The soul is the mind, will, emotions, and intellect. When you find yourself entering into a new season in life, determine to wait upon God. You can trust in Him. He knows right where you are at today.

Bubbles of emotion

I have tried on occasion to explain to my husband what it feels like to be a woman experiencing a new season in her life. "It can feel something like a warm soda pop bottle that has pressure bubbles inside," I describe. He just looks at me with a funny look on his face. It is not easy to explain the myriad of emotions that we women find ourselves sorting through. It can leave us asking, "Where is all of that bottled up emotion supposed to go?" Psalm 62 gives us the answer. It encourages us to pour out our hearts before the Lord.

Whatever you may be experiencing in your life today that makes you ask ... "Now what happens?" Remember that you have a Creator who knows you altogether. If you give your expectancy (all of your "now what happens?") to Him, you will not be moved. God is your salvation, glory, and rock of strength. If you will rest and wait on the Lord, He will use the seasons that you go through in your life as a woman to mold your character and to design within your heart the person that He has created you to be.

A few years ago, I was faced with a big decision. My emotions were in an uproar and I was beginning to lose sight of my focus. I needed direction. I decided to call a girlfriend to talk about all the details of my situation and then ask her what she would do if she were in my shoes. Wisely, she didn't answer my question. Instead, she said, "The Lord is the one who is writing the story of your life. It is up to you to you to discover page by page what He has planned for you." I have thought about the words that she said many times when I find myself asking, "Now what happens?"

Be encouraged today, no matter what season you are in, the Lord has your future in His hands. He is the author and finisher of your faith. He knows you better than you know yourself. The Lord knows the dream that you carry locked inside. He alone can answer, "Now what happens?" and He alone can fill you with lasting joy and peace. He has seen your disappointments; He knows your fears. Why not pour your heart out to Him today and call upon Him in the fellowship of prayer? Through Him, you will discover what He has planned for the unique and special season that you are in today.

God wants to be our leverage in living, empowering us to feel better about ourselves, more excited about our future, more grateful for those we love, and more enthusiastic about our faith. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, God has given you His Holy Spirit to help you live life according to His perfect plan. Why not pray this simple prayer and by faith invite Him to fill you with His Spirit:

Dear Father, I need you. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you by directing my own life. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ's death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Find peace with God.