Here at Milk & Honey Magazine, we love learning the inside scoop on new hit artists – especially when it highlights women who love the Lord as much as Cherigale Buchanan!

Cherigale is a singer/songwriter new to the recording business, and her (AMAZING) new hit single, ‘My Love,’ describes how God’s incredible love brings joy and victory to our daily lives! Its message inspires us, especially as women, to talk to Jesus daily and to attend to the Holy Spirit’s leading. The message also encourages us to pursue our God-given assignments with strength, confidence, and our heads held high knowing He's guiding our paths!

Before we begin, let's jam out to 'My Love,' knowing Jesus truly is just that, our Love!

Let's Meet Cherigale!

How has the Lord's Prayer affected you?

My mom taught me the Lord’s Prayer when I was three-years old. As I became older, my prayers to my Heavenly Father became more heartfelt. Yet in all honesty, I doubted when I got up from my knees. I doubted that my Heavenly Father was concerned about my desires. This is how my prayer life was until I became a junior in high school.

During my junior year, my sister Carla, a sophomore in college, had become born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit. During one of her visits home, I told her about goals I wanted to achieve before I graduated. My athletic goals involved winning a city-wide championship medal in track and field, qualifying for the state track and field championship meet, and being voted Most Athletic Female by my senior classmates. While sharing this information with my sister, I shared that I would beg and plead with God to let me meet my athletic goals.

What can you share about praying through God's Word?

My sister lovingly showed me John 14:14. She said, “Well, Jesus said, ‘If you ask anything in My Name I will do it.” I was surprised to read that Jesus is eager to bless me with my heart’s desires. When I read Jesus’ words for myself, strong confidence welled up in me like never before! Looking back, I know that the confidence I experienced was faith.

Consequently, instead of begging God, I respectfully reminded God of John 14:14 by saying, “Jesus, you said, ‘If you ask anything in My Name, I will do it.’ Thank you for blessing me to be a city champ! Thank you for letting me be voted most athletic!” Today, I am still confident that My Heavenly Father is attentive to my prayers and willing to grant my requests as long as I keep God first in my heart (Exodus 20:3) and as long as my prayers and desires glorify my Heavenly Father (Matt. 5:16).

Fast forwarding to my college days, I started thinking seriously about my future husband when I was in my 20's. While sitting in my apartment, I grabbed a notebook and began writing a long letter to God about my future husband’s qualities and mine. This went on for days. I was very specific when describing my desires and very confident that God would say, “Yes!” However, back then, I didn’t think much about keeping Jesus first in my heart. After completing my letter, I would pray to my Heavenly Father about its contents. Then, it was time to wait.

What about learning to wait?

Trusting God while waiting to meet my future husband was emotionally challenging. While waiting, I dated but I always felt subtly dissatisfied. I thought seriously about settling; but, settling could have lead to devastating consequences. So, I decided to focus on my own quality of life. I continued praying and studying the Bible and I remained active in church. I completed three college degrees and began a successful career in education. I also traveled alot! Lastly, I became debt free. Thank you, Jesus! When I saw that I was experiencing lots of successes in godly and healthy ways, I decided to be okay with being single. I did not really want that; but, I thought God wanted that for me.

How did this waiting and praying lead to rejoicing for you?

Over time, I met a wonderful guy in Jamaica. He was a kind believer in Christ, intelligent, and very successful. However, deep inside, I had no peace about pursuing a relationship. The Holy Spirit was whispering, “No.” Long story short, my friend and I attended church during one of his visits to my state. When church ended, we greeted two church members who were talking. We all introduced ourselves. Little did I know that the gentleman named Fred was my future husband! Later, when I thought about dating Fred, I had real peace deep inside. Holy Spirit was whispering, “Yes!” Fred was the guy I prayed for!

Fred was born again, baptized in the Holy Spirit, truly committed to God, tall, dark, handsome, nice, masculine, and professional. Prior to dating Fred, I had prayed to marry someone who worked in engineering. While getting to know Fred, I learned that he worked as a broadcast engineer at a local T.V. station! I had also prayed for a husband who could and wanted to support us financially. While dating, Fred often said, “You don’t have to work. . . Whatever you earn will be icing on the cake.” Rest assured. God hears you and cares about the desires of your heart.

I encourage you to: (1) Honestly talk to God about your desires, (2) Listen to and obey Holy Spirit when He responds, (3) meditate on relevant Bible verses. For example, Psalm 37:4-5 say, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will do it.” Other verses to consider are, John 14:14, Mark 11:23-24, and I John 5:14-15. (4) Then, respectfully remind your Heavenly Father of His word. He loves that (Isaiah 43:26)! Lastly, keep God first! Keep God as your heart’s one and only!

Sometimes, the struggle to keep God first is intense. I find that praying in faith, meditating on verses that strengthen my faith, and being respectfully and totally honest with God in prayer minimizes the struggle over time. When I learned to pray God’s Word while keeping God first, documentable results happened. I met all of my athletic goals in high school, and I married the man of my dreams.

You work with many young women. What advice have some of these women shared about our generation?

The three young 20-somethings I spoke with offered the following advice:

• “It is just as okay to be single as it is to be in a relationship. Depend on the Lord and know that you can be so effective in your single life and God will lead you to your husband if he has that plan for you. No need to put yourself out there to find a man.” (Avalon, Age 21)
• “Save as much as you can. Do not buy unnecessary items that you really don’t need. Instead of spending a fortune on expensive shoes and things, purchasing less expensive alternatives works just fine.” (Sarah, Age 25)
• “Find your purpose or passion and chase after it without distractions; and do it in a Godly, womanly way.” (Aubrey, Age 23)

Cherigale has 20 years of experience as a professional educator, having taught mathematics for public schools and methods courses at various colleges and universities. Cherigale also supervised math teachers in public and private schools. Currently, Cherigale is focusing on her Ph.D. in mathematics education. Upon completion, she plans to resume her work with college students and math teachers. Purchase 'My Love' on iTunes, and learn more about Cherigale at cheribu.com.