While You Wait

WHILE YOU WAIT

FOR THAT SPECIAL ONE

RACHEL OGUNSANWO

Premarital Challenges: God is in control

Copyright

Copyright © 2019 by Rachel Ogunsanwo

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

First Printing: 2019

ISBN 978-978-977-304-6

House of Mae

Zone B, Lane 2, Fatokun Community, Ibadan,

Oyo State, Nigeria 200284

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to two sets of people: Those who are praying and waiting for Mr. or Miss Right & Various hurting souls that experienced breakups in their relationships, hanging unto hope for restoration. I tell you, God is truly in control. Here is a reminder:

"The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Sing praises to the Lord, who dwelleth in Zion, declare among the people His doings… It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes".

(Psalm 9:9-11 & 119:71)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I return all glory to God, who has provided sufficient grace to overcome every premarital challenge myself and some others have faced. With Jesus in the boat, we smiled in the storm. I appreciate people from far and near whom I made use of their testimonies as well as those who filled the questionnaires. With permission from most of you, I have used your stories which you willingly consented to not minding that your privacy could be compromised.

I also appreciate all pastors and spiritual leaders who have enlightened me and counseled me in the way of the Lord: Dr. Adebowale Saba, Dr. Olalekan Adebayo and Dr. Femi Ojo. I will not forget Mrs. Oguntoke and Dr. Oyewusi. I thank my friends, who were there with and for me; those who prayed with me and those who prayed for me. Worthy of mention here are: Dr. Mrs. Opeyemi Adekolurejo, Bukola Adebayo and her hubby.

I acknowledge Father Femi Michael Adewoyin, Oluwabusayo Adegun, Jesudamilare Adesegun-David and all those who proofread and edited the script at one stage or the other. I’m also deeply grateful to Mrs. Remi Odunsi for taking time to read and write the foreword. I cannot forget Elder Yohanna Samari, who mentored me in my writing career. God bless you all for your labours of love.

I thank my hubby and my in-laws for their patience and persistent prayers. May the Lord continually reward your kind gestures. I express my sincere appreciation to my parents and siblings, who stood with me, prayed, fasted and waited on God, till my morning came. You are the best.

Rachel

Ogunsanwo.

FOREWORD

While You Wait for that Special One is an apt title because it is not restrictive. Though the book dwells more on marriage, it is applicable to all situations, whatever you and yourself waiting for. As strange as it seems, from waiting on God to waiting to have a child or that dream job, waiting is a natural part of our lives. Not all things are handed to us or fall on our laps within the twinkle of an eye or the moment we wish to have them.

This book will take you on a journey through different facets of life. You will see things in different perspectives than you have done in the past. The writer has been able to blend the Truth of the Word of God with real life situations and words of wisdom. Hence, it is not a mistake that the focus of this book is marriage. This is the most important institution for mankind. It is the foundation on which nations are built and as such faces severe opposition and attacks from the kingdom of darkness. More so, in this institution, the eternal purpose of God is accomplished all through the different levels of human development, that is, from the level of individuality to family and to nations. Therefore, the composition of the first level, that is, the individual has to be right. Essentially, the importance of getting this right is dealt with adequately in this book.

Fundamentally, the heart of the Father is depicted throughout. The importance of cultivating the habit and ability to wait is stressed. It is clear that in life, one will need to take some hard decisions and when those situations arise, one should be courageous in making the right decision.

Waiting should be seen as a time of molding. Though, it is sometimes tiring but we have to stay strong and wait to work things out. We can make it a time of self-discovery and deeper relationship with God. No matter the nature of our wait we should learn to go through the process from a place of total confidence and trust in God, that all things will indeed work together for good. The Scripture assures us:

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint

(Isaiah 40:31 KJV).

A good number of our fathers in faith are honoured here in their quotes. I encourage us to note some of these quotes, they are worthy of meditation. I remember some quotes I grew up knowing which have formed part of my values in life and aided me to take the right decisions during tough times. I believe our experiences when borne of the Lord are not in vain. They are for us to help others. These are like badges or stamps that serve as healing balms or doors to bring others relief and healing. So when the going gets tough, remember God is working out something not just for you but for the benefit of others. So, go through it with thanksgiving knowing it is a token you will release to others for encouragement and sometimes deliverance.

In conclusion, I pray that this book will open your understanding to the areas that the Lord is seeking your attention and change. The testimonies here shall be points of contact, release and impartations for breakthroughs in diverse situations, Amen.

Glory to God!

‘Remi Odunsi

EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIRMAN

LIGHTHOUSE GROUP

PREFACE

This book is different in so many ways from my first book Do You Know…? The first book emerged from encouragement given which prompted me to convert the collections of inspirational nuggets I had written over the years, into a book for others to benefit from. Moreover, I had to change the title before finally settling for DO YOU KNOW…? To the glory of God, people have really been blessed by that small handy book. I have received text messages and calls from motivated readers.

This book is highly important because the title was given to me by God several years ago (almost a decade now). Rachel, I want you to write about ‘Pre-marital challenges... God is in control.’ Yes Lord, I answered. at glorious encounter can still be found written in my old, worn-out 2007 diary (the faintest ink is sharper than the smartest memory, you will say!). But I never knew the contract I was entering into, I never knew the challenge coming. I thought it was going to come easy. But I had already entered a covenant with God which I just had to redeem (He uses a willing tool).

I had waited for a long time to get the meaning of a particular verse God led me to and yet did not understand. There was this day I even had to meet my pastor to inquire. I asked, Sir, what does this verse mean ‘…why is light given to a man whose way is hid?’ (Job 3:23).

He began telling me about the life of Job and how he faced so many challenges despite his sinless life and though he prayed, God did not answer immediately since it was a test…On and on he went, but it did not satisfy my heart’s cry. Can you imagine it was several years after, precisely during my service year while I was waiting on God, that I got a clear understanding and a deeper meaning to that verse, as it applied to my situation? I can remember how I visited bookshops over and over looking for a book that can speak to my challenges and reveal to me what steps to take in such an overwhelming circumstance. I did not get any specific one until I eventually bought a book titled WHEN GOD DOESN’T MAKE SENSE by James C. Dobson, which gave me a positive outlook on my challenges, making me realize they were for a purpose and to know that God’s promises will come to pass by and by.

By the way, the portion allotted to pre-marital challenges in the book was not up to a chapter though, but God spoke to me through it. That even incited me to work on my vow to the Lord.

One thing my premarital challenge has done to me is to make me a better Rachel, a source of encouragement to others and especially to you reading this book. It has installed in me the virtue of patience as well as absolute and unwavering trust in God. My doubts and fears were surmounted. Initially, when the challenges started, I had a different orientation about challenges Christians face during courtship, marriage, moments of unanswered prayers and delayed manifestations of God’s promises but when the challenges grew and manifested different awkward characters, I cried out to God and told Him, I won’t write that book again (ought I could get back at Him!) but He comforted me through His words and supported me with counselors and advisers. These are His words to every hurting soul:

"Blessed be God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercy and the God of all comfort, who comforteth us all in our tribulation that we may be able to comfort all those that are going through trials by the comfort of which we ourselves have been comforteth of God".

(II Corinthians 1: 3-4)

"For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:24-28)

(Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thy eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life; but teach them thy son’s sons." (Deuteronomy 4:9)

Now here I am, publishing a book after I have surrendered