When I was single, I made a list.  I didn’t write this list on paper, I didn’t need to.  I was so confident of what I wanted in a mate the very thought of him prompted frequent references back to my mental list.  I knew after moving on from my previous marriage that if God was going to give me the gift of a husband there were many things that I wanted him to be.  I knew that ministry was a very important interest.  I knew that whoever God had for me must be supportive of my call to ministry.  I knew I wanted someone who was going to adore me and displayed a very kind disposition.  I wanted my husband to be funny, and laugh at my jokes even when they are stupid.  One of the biggest (and most ridiculous) requests I had was that I wanted my husband to be a very specific height.  

A couple of weeks ago someone that I adore asked me an interesting question.  Her question to me was, “What do you think about praying for a specific list for a mate?”  If you know me at all you will know that I am a huge fan of praying very specifically.  I believe that we have a small way of measuring God’s amazing might when we see a very long awaited prayer answered to the exact specifications of our request.  I thought a moment about how I would reply to this question. My answer was “I believe that God answers just enough on our list for our mates to show that He is a personal, detail-oriented God, and just enough NOT on our list to show that He is Sovereign.”

The bible says in Philippians 4:6

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Through the amazing gift of prayer and faith we have the privileged to watch God work in our lives.  He begs us to drop the anxiety and let our requests be made known.  So, we make our lists about our mate in secret.  Only God knew the specific things I was wanting, and more than likely only God knows yours.  

On the other hand check out Jeremiah 33:3,

Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you great and mighty things you do not know.

In order to show us He is the God of all, He has His own requirements for us.  He knows things that we need, and we don’t even know to ask.  After all, He is your Creator.  In His sovereignty and timing He is the One Who creates the perfect match.  His list of things in our mate far surpass ours, it’s His that matters.

When we have the faith to believe that God will answer our small suggestions, it pleases Him.  After all, faith the size of a mustard seed moves mountains.(Matthew 17:20)

Eddie and I have been married for about 7.5 years.  I have to tell you, God answered the height requirement.  Eddie is the perfect height for me, and we fit together when we hug in the most comfortable way.  Not only did God answer just about all the small suggestions I had, He added several Himself.  The longer Eddie and I are married, and the more we experience together, the more I realize the unbelievable sovereignty of God, and the love He has for me.  He gave me a gift in my husband, that I continue to open.  I learn new ways to praise God the more I see His sovereignty in placing us together.

Don’t rule out the sovereign addition to your list for a mate!