A hat I never anticipated wearing…

Six years ago, we attended church in Pennsylvania with a dear family who has many children. Their attitude towards children, and their reaction when I said I was expecting Ruby, due 15 months after Sterling was born, was forming in how I saw my family, my children, and my ability to see my children as blessings and individuals. Their influence was a huge blessing.

They mentioned to me one Sunday evening that one of their daughters wished to marry a farmer and asked if I knew anyone from South Dakota who might be suitable. I didn’t, but the conversation apparently stuck with me, because four and a half years later, now living in Missouri, the conversation came to mind as did a single man who owns a small farm in our church.

The thought haunted me until finally, while my husband looked at me with a look that said, “Yes, they’d suit. But are you really sure you want to go there?!” We actually had a conversation that sounded very much like that. I am an introvert, I aim to not get involved, and I was certain I was setting myself up for, at minimum, a very awkward moment. At most, far worse. But… I went there. I contacted our friends in Pennsylvania, told them the few details I knew of the man here, and was thanked and told they’d contact me should they wish to pursue it. Slightly awkward, but they were gracious and kind. My conscience was eased and I thought little of it again.

Nearly a year later, the young lady contacted me, having plans to fly into town for a weekend for a visit with a local family member, and I had her over for lunch. We talked briefly of her coming to church and my possibly not having to do any (again, awkward!) talking to the man… But it didn’t turn out that way. She flew home, having never met him.

A few days after going home, we talked again. She told me she was open to seeing if he wished to pursue anything, and I did some major praying and squirming over writing another awkward message, this time to him. He had no idea up to this point.

He responded a few hours later, very interested, and I passed along contact info and stepped back. It’s a very strange feeling, not responsible for the outcome or anything beyond an introduction, yet praying God’s will and, should things end before they’d barely begun, that friendships with both families not be ruined. Very strange.

That was all this spring. Trips between Pennsylvania and Missouri were plentiful, and it was fun to watch the relationship grow.

This fall, they were married.

I’m thankful that it has worked out well for them. I’m thankful that that nudging I couldn’t ignore wasn’t just me being nosy and acting on my own. I’m thankful that God can act through me, even when my biggest fear in all of it was a few awkward conversations and that fear nearly stopped me from saying anything.

He can use even me.

I’m so excited to see what the future holds for these dear friends.

But if my matchmaker hat never, ever, ever sees use again, that would be perfect.