It was 3 am on an overnight train from Kiev to Odessa, Ukraine. I wasn’t quite asleep as it often happens when your body is being rocked back and forth by the train racing down the tracks. On the race we don’t exactly have the money for 1st class accommodations so everyone on my team was packed into a rail car filled with many people, including lots of strangers. That being said, I was very alert and aware of my surroundings. The belongings I have in my pack and purse are literally the ONLY things I own this year so I watch over them carefully. I woke suddenly because I become aware of someone walking by my bed, which was located along the main aisle of the rail car. My heart settled to see that it was just Eric, a squad mate and member of team Imago Dei. He noticed I was awake and asked if I needed anything and said not to worry. He was up to watch over our bags and to make sure all of the girls were taken care of.
I couldn’t fall asleep after this. Not because I was uneasy, but because I began to think about what Godly men we have on our squad. It is not often in our world that you see true men of God. I began to think about how time and time again the men on our squad lay themselves down for the women. They load our bags into buses, takes shifts to stay up all night making sure we are safe, walk on the outside of the side walk, open doors. Do not be confused, it is not because they think we cant or that we are weak. They have seen us all over the world holding our own. It is because they show us time and time again the respect and joy it is to lead, to lay themselves down for our benefit as servants of the Lord.
Before the race many people talked about how brotherly interactions with men of God through out this year would be healing. I knew they were probably right, but didn’t fully understand how this would happen. But today, sitting in month nine I see the truth in those words. You see, every time I am taken care of and respected, my standards for the man I will marry get a little higher. It seems that in today’s world a Godly man of integrity and respect is hard to come by, almost a myth. Most of the men in my generation that have been in my life have either wanted something from me or not treated me in a way that is honorable. Some of my deepest hurts have come from men and relationships I have been in. So yes, this year has been healing in ways I didn’t even know I needed. It has reset what I know I deserve because I have seen Godly love in action all year long.
So to the AMAZING and MIGHTY men of God on N squad, this is for you. As women after God’s heart we say Thank You for leading us. Thank you for your respect and honor. Thank you for showing us time and time again that our worth comes from our character and not what we can offer you. You have reset my faith and trust in men because of your character. I now know what to look for and that the things I want are not a myth. Men like you are worth waiting for. God has used the one thing that hurt me so deeply to also heal me to my core. Funny how He does that!
