“Great is HIS faithfulness…”

Nothing better encompasses Kayla and my story, than Lamentations 3:22-23. In the middle of this set of poems where Jeremiah is mourning and lamenting the fall of Israel, he still takes the time to still worship and thank God, saying, ‘Great is His faithfulness’.

Our story begins well before we actually met. I can still remember the nights throughout my time in high school and my first 3 years in college, when I lay, reading God’s word and praying for God to show me who my wife would be. The only thing I requested of the Lord was that my wife love Him way more than she ever loved me, little did I know the Lord planned on blessing me SO much more.

Then the fall of our Junior year of college came around, and I finally decided to give the campus Bible Study a shot. My first two years of college I never went, partially because I was a commuter, but also because I did not want to go alone. Thankfully, my Best Man, Brandon, agreed to come with me. Although the specifics of that first night are kind of a blur, I do remember seeing Kayla for the first time and seeing the love for God emanating off of her, but I also thought ‘There is no way that someone that beautiful and special would have any interest in me.’ So, that night I left and only returned to the Bible study a few times.

After winter break that year, Covid hit. We were all so isolated and I rarely went to campus anymore. Eventually, everything slowed down in the winter of our Senior year, almost a year after meeting Kayla the first time. I had seen her in the hallway several times (which, according to her, I was not so kind when she would say ‘hello’). Nevertheless, that beautiful woman from the bible study was still on my mind.

Then one rainy night in March of 2021, I was walking out of a basketball gym when I saw that the beautiful girl from Southern had posted a bible verse and tagged one of my favorite songs, ‘Promises’ by Maverick City Music. I immediately pointed out how much I loved that song, to which Kayla replied, ‘thanks’ and since then the conversation has not stopped.

From that first message, I began to see Kayla on campus more. Similarly, while she was student teaching, I began to drop off treats/coffee. Finally, we had spent so much time together, talking, reading our bibles, and even meeting during her lunch breaks, that I thought it was about time I asked her on a date.

I had the plan set, I would show up to Kayla’s school, bring her a coffee from her favorite coffee place, and a little treat, and then after walking and chatting for a bit, I would ask her to go on a date… But this did not go as planned. Once I got there I was TERRIFIED, so much so that I was shaking so viciously, Kayla even noticed it when I handed her coffee to her. I remarked ‘I have just had a lot of caffeine today’, which was the truth, although not the reason I was so shaky. Later, I eventually got the courage to ask her on a date, one that I had so meticulously planned, since I was so worried about anything going wrong.

Since that first date we have not looked back. Quickly, I was invited to a wedding with Kayla as her plus one, then we graduated college, took our licensure exams, and got our first jobs. Everything was going so well, as, even though our jobs were tough, we ended every night reading the bible and praying together.

Then one night shortly after Kayla’s sister, Dayna, got married, my Father passed away in front of me. This was a rather traumatic ordeal. Yet, the biggest light in all of the tragedy was Kayla. She was by my side through ALL of it, always making sure I was okay. Kayla prayed for me, encouraged me, and cried with me as I mourned my Father. She even stood right beside me at the service we had for him. I had already known that I was going to marry Kayla, well before this, but her selfless actions during that time only solidified my love for her.

Since that time, me and Kayla have only grown closer. Each day falling more and more in love with one another. We have chosen to always prioritize God and keep Him the center of our relationship. We have strived to live together with God as Solomon writes, ‘a cord of three strands is not easily broken’.

Kayla has the most precious and beautiful heart out of anyone I know. She is quiet and calm, all while remaining so selfless and loving. ‘She is worth far more than rubies’. She has always been a voice of wisdom to me, full of honor and grace. Just as what initially attracted me to her, Kayla still fears the Lord above all. Kayla is the greatest blessing from God, apart from salvation, that I will ever receive. She is the God fearing woman I prayed for, AND so much more. I have found the one that my soul loves.

Through our 3 years of growth and hardship, God has always been there, pulling us closer and closer together in love. To this day, everytime I look at the beautiful and selfless heart that God gave Kayla, I am always reminded that ‘Great is HIS Faithfulness’ to me.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

His mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23