Waiting for THE Woman

Sittin' on a bench at West Town Mall
He sat down in his overalls and asked me
You waitin' on a woman
I nodded yeah and said how 'bout you
He said son since nineteen fifty-two I've been
Waitin' on a woman

When I picked her up for our first date
I told her I'd be there at eight
And she came down the stairs at eight-thirty
She said I'm sorry that I took so long
Didn't like a thing that I tried on
But let me tell you son she sure looked pretty
Yeah she'll take her time but I don't mind
Waitin' on a woman

He said the wedding took a year to plan
You talk about an anxious man, I was nervous
Waitin' on a woman
And then he nudged my arm like old men do
And said, I'll say this about the honeymoon, it was worth it
Waitin' on a woman-   Brad Paisley

A few years ago, singer/songwriter Brad Paisley wrote the above song.   I was pleased and surprised when I saw the music video for the song that featured North Carolina’s own, Andy Griffith.  The song talks  about a man waiting on a woman.   That song comes to mind this day because tomorrow will be  my 20^th wedding anniversary to my lovely wife,  Ann Blackley Wall.    I can relate to that song in my relationship with Ann.  There have been many times when I have waited for her as she shopped… got ready to go out to dinner or to some event… and the like.  I asked her to marry me on February 8, 1997 and wanted to get married  quickly.  For several reasons,  she wanted to wait and so I waited for over 12 months. 

There is a story in the book of Genesis about Jacob.   He wanted a wife.  Read a portion of this story as found in Genesis 29: 14-20:

After Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month, ¹⁵ Laban said to him, “Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.”  ¹⁶ Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. ¹⁷ Leah had weak^[a] eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. ¹⁸ Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.”  ¹⁹ Laban said, “It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.” ²⁰ So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.

Jacob was waiting on a woman named Rachel.  He waited not while she shopped or got ready, but because her Dad said so.   He waited for years.  As Ann and I prepare for  a milestone wedding anniversary,  I realize that while  I  have waited minutes for Ann to get ready and months for our wedding day, I really waited my whole life for her to come into my life.  And you know what?   I can confidently and joyfully say that it was worth waiting for that wonderful woman.  I give thanks for the gift and joy of being married to Ann Blackley Wall.  Happy anniversary, Darling.  I wonder who you have waited for in your life?  Have  joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:    O God,  I  thank you for the gift of marriage.  I pray for marriages that are new, marriages that celebrate milestones,  and marriages that are only good memories.   Thank you, Lord;  through Christ our Lord.  Amen.