Our Parents Story

WILLIAM’S PARENTS AND ESTHER’S NEIGHBORS:

We have thanked God over and over for answering our prayers concerning William’s future.

As his parents, we realize that he had great appreciation, love and respect for Esther (these were our sentiments as well). Our hearts are rejoicing because William has whole-heartedly trusted God and has been patient and waited for His perfect timing even though we wanted to rush things along from time to time! We admire him for allowing God to completely orchestrate his life concerning the mate God had in the making.

Esther is such a sweet and precious friend that God has given him, we encourage him to and firmly believe that he will treasure her always. It will be our delight and joy to become closer and develop a richer relationship with her now and as our daughter-in-law. We are assured that her godly characteristics (kindness, Godly spirit, nurturing actions, willingness to make God known to others, etc.) will enhance the life God began in William over these past years. She is so “perfect” for him.

We are looking forward to the day William takes Esther as his very own and she becomes his bride. We are praying for God’s direction regarding their future life together.

ESTHER’S FATHER and WILLIAM’S PASTOR:

As Joann and I began our courtship, and began making plans for not only our wedding day, but for any children we would be blessed to have, there were several goals we set into motion.

These became the “Life-Goals” for our family through the years.

1. To know and love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves.  Mk 12:30,30
2. To walk in the reverent, worshipful and obedient fear of the Lord. Ecc. 12:13,14
3. To gain skillful and godly wisdom and understanding. Pro. 2:1-8, 4:1-13
4. To make Christ known. Mt. 18:19,20
5. To have an excellent spirit by always being controlled by God’s Holy Spirit. Dan. 5:12, 6:3; Pro. 11:20
6. To get people excited about making deep commitments to God and his Word. Jer. 9:23,24
7. To raise a godly generation that will produce another and another. Mal.2:14-16
8. For that to happen, the children MUST choose a like-minded person who will also desire God’s best in every area of life.

My wife’s constant prayer for our three children and their spouses and grandchildren, was that God would continue to make them good, godly, and wise; secondly, that God would help the “soil” of all of us to be good soil” that would produce 100-fold from the “seeds” of God’s word.

We were blessed with two precious and dear daughter-in-laws who have blessed us with precious grandchildren, and together with their husbands, ARE striving to fulfill #7 of our family goals.

As the years have sped by often the question would be asked; Have you ever seen anyone you thought might be a good match for Esther?

To which, we’d reply, not yet.  And again, there were some very important prerequisites for such a man.

1. He must have fully repented of his sins, and be walking in a vibrant relationship with God.
2. He must have a Biblical world-view
3. He must be totally consecrated unto God, walking daily in habitual fellowship with God. Jn. 17:17; Heb. 13:12-13
4. He must be a temperate man- Titus 2:26
5. A man who is sound in faith, love, and steadfastness and patience in Christ. Tit. 2:2
6. He must be a wise man in God’s eyes
   • seeks out and accepts wise counsel. (has a teachable spirit). Pr. 1:1-3, 9:9
   • loves and accepts reproof and loves the person through whom reproof comes. Pr. 9:8, 15:31, 19:25b, 17:10, 6:23b
   • has chosen wise friends. Pr. 13:20a, 14:78
   • a man who is not wise in his own eyes. Pr. 23;9, 12:15a; 28:26a
   • a man who stays under God-given authority (has a proper understanding of the authority structure). Pr. 10:8a; 28:7
   • a man who guards his lips, edifies with his speech, and is slow to speak. Pr. 14:3b; 29:20; Ecc. 10:12. Pr. 13:3; 18:21; 21:23
   • a man who guards and controls his spirit. Gal. 5:25; Pr. 17:27-28; 9:11
   • a man who walks with discernment and caution. Pr. 14:16a; 22:3a; 14:15b
   • a man who is diligent and industrious. Pr. 10;4b;Rom. 12:11
   • a man who has made his parents glad. Pr. 10:1a; 29:3a; 23:24-25
   • a man who builds his expectations in the Lord. Pr. 62:5;16:20;19”8; 24:13-14
7. Must have a clear conscience
8. Must understand his purpose in life. II Cor. 3:2-3; Phil. 1:21,27
9. Must love and accept children.
10. A lover of good, wholesome edifying music.
11. A man who is morally pure and free.

And as I have raised Esther, seeing her love for and being stretched by her beloved brothers, the man who she was to have for a husband, MUST be a man who is wild-at-heart. He must love the outdoors, and yet be gentle and tender enough to enjoy a cup of coffee/tea in a more “romantic” setting.

A man who will desire to have an on-going relationship through life with me as we learn and grow together. For over 19 years, God was preparing just such a man, who happened to be the neighbor across the street. And while through those years both of our families were the best of friends, and his connection was wonderful and gracious with both of Esther’s brothers, yet it didn’t seem it would ever be anything more than just-good-friends.

But through God’s wonderful, exciting, and unique workings, it became evident that there was to be MORE than just mere “friends”.

God began to plant in Esther’s heart a desire for William, who unbeknown to her, had a desire for her for 19 years. As our families have grown even closer in the past year, we both have sensed that God was bringing them together. And as you read their story, you too can join with us in thanking the Lord for his timing, their waiting, and His faithfulness.

To God Be All The Glory!!!!!!!