Waiting on Mr. Right

Author, blogger, photographer, and wife, Jordan Life is one of those girls you want to kidnap for an afternoon of steamy coffee and soul-bearing conversations. Her online platform - Soul Scripts - allows you to do just that (virtually, of course). The blog encourages women to pursue their faith over all else, and Jordan walks the walk and talks the talk, having waited on her Mr. Right. Her husband, Matt, is a professional football player, and their marriage has been an inspiration for thousands. Here is a snippet from her recent article, 'Actually, Yes, You ARE a Princess':

He was the odd one out. The big college football player committed to waiting for his wife. He was teased. He was mocked. But he didn't waver. And he believed chivalry wasn't dead. 

Since we met, he's always opened my door. He's always pulled my seat out for me at dinner. He insisted on spending all of his college graduation money on a ring last year before he even got a job. Before he even knew me he gave me everything he had - even when it was weird, uncool, and just really hard. 
I'm not here trying to make Matt out to be the perfect man. He'll be the first to tell you that he isn't perfect. Sometimes he forgets to brush his teeth and he isn't that organized and he often cusses when road rage gets the best of him. 

But you know what? He pursues His God and he pursued his wife before he ever knew my name. Just when I quit believing men like that existed after a hard break up, my now new husband knocked on the door of my tiny college apartment. And he revived my belief that strong men still exist, men can still stand by their word, men can still lead, and that daughters of the King are worth that. Not always deserving of it, but always worth it. Because "deserve" indicates earning, and trust me, I don't always behave in ways that would earn me a gentleman. But worth? Worth is not something we can earn - it's a God-given thing.

And I feel the need to revive that belief in you, sister friend. Don't expect perfection, but please realize chivalry isn't dead, that the struggles you're facing with men or with your man don't leave you hopeless, and that you don't need a fairytale, you need faith. 

Because whether or not you've met Prince Charming, you're still a princess.

Know why? Because your Father is the King of Kings.

Now, let's spend some time with Jordan and get the details on her lovely life, shall we?!

Tell us about yourself!

First and foremost, I belong to Jesus Christ and I'm passionate about encouraging friends like you! I'm married to my man, Matt. He loves playing guitar, played NCAA football as a longsnapper at IU, and now plays professionally. He's the support and strength behind my crazy endeavors and I'm a stronger servant of Christ because of his leadership and love.

I was born in Indiana and attended Indiana University. You could say I was born and raised a Hoosier - and that's something I take pride in!

I love to go for long runs and try new foods. I mostly run so that I can eat all the foods I want to try. 

Being only in my twenties, I let my age discourage me from committing to being a transformational leader for Christ. By the grace of God, I was reminded of 1 Timothy 4:12, "Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."  So we're rockin' and rollin' this thing. Join me in becoming a bold leader for Christ in my generation!

I'm a klutz - don't hand me anything fragile. And I spill. A lot. I've also been known to eat rainbow sprinkles by themselves, right out of the tub.

I feel God most when I'm in His word and in His world - enjoying the beauty of His creation out in nature. He is so big and so alive! 

I've been given the greatest group of girlfriends and the most supportive family, who tirelessly give me ideas, encourage me in pursuing the Lord's heart, and make me laugh until I snort (embarrassing).

I drink way too much coffee, laugh way too loudly, and wear obnoxiously bright tennis shoes because I believe life ought to be about living, not just surviving.

Feel free to follow my blog - thesoulscripts.com!

Your love story?

Matt and I met in college at Indiana University. He lived across the street from me and walked over on a cold, November evening - that's where it all started! We ended up talking for over four hours - it was like catching up with an old friend! We dated for three years and just got married this past September. This year looks like it'll be full of adventure, and we can't wait!

Advice for your 20-year-old self?

Stop worrying about what other people think. You don't need to live for an audience of opinions. Just an audience of One.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I usually hit snooze about 2394892 times (work from home problems) and then I snuggle my new hubs. He's the cook in the relationship, so he whips up something tasty and we enjoy some time in the Word together over breakfast. Around 9:00 he heads to his training facility for his football training, and I do my own workout. Around 10:30/11, I sit down at my desk to start my work day. He returns from training around 1:30 and makes us lunch as I work. I usually work through about 6:30 when we have supper... which he also cooks. HAH! My work usually consists of writing content, goal planning, answering emails, phone meetings with my publisher/agent/clients, editing galleries for my photography, working on proposals and other upcoming projects, writing devotionals, book-keeping, and more. After supper, we do any laundry or cleaning that needs to get done and then spend time together. When we travel for work, my days never look the same! :)

Favorite book?

One of my favorite books is The Prodigal God by Tim Keller. This one had such an impact me when I first became a Christian!

Favorite Bible books?

I love the book of John, as well as Romans, Ephesians, and 1 & 2 Corinthians. My favorite verse is Psalm 37:4 ~ Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

How can single women prepare to become a wife?

Don't focus on preparing to be a future wife. Focus on being God's hands and feet. This will not only help you prepare to be a wife should the Lord give you a husband, but it will also help you keep your eyes fixed on what really counts. I think sometimes we get so wrapped up in the "waiting to be a wife" that we forget that maybe God hasn't called us to be a wife. And that's no lesser position - singleness is not inferior to marriage. Marriage is beautiful, don't get me wrong, but when we make it the end goal, rather than serving God, we lose our ability to be not only a good wife, but also a Godly woman.

Dreams?

My biggest dream is to shine Jesus in every aspect of media my fingers touch. I hope to be a mom one day, too!

Jordan wrote letters to her future husband before having ever met him, knowing it would help her stay on track to wait for the right man. Jordan was kind enough to share the final letter she wrote to Matt just hours before their wedding ceremony:

Dear Future Husband,

It’s hard to believe that this is the last time I’ll ever write a Dear Future Husband letter to you because in just a few short hours you will no longer be my future husband but instead will become my forever husband. It’s hard to believe that the day we’ve dreamed of since we met is finally here. It’s hard to believe that our forever starts today. It’s hard to believe that I have the privilege of marrying a man like you – a man who loves like Jesus does, a man who serves with His whole heart, a man who is strong and brave, and a man who lets God lead His life no matter the cost.

 But on the other hand, it’s not that hard to believe because that’s just the kind of the God we serve – a God who is faithful to work all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

When I was 13, my dad gave me a purity ring. Engraved inside of the band are the words: true love waits. In that moment, I promised to wait for my future husband and even signed a purity pact without hesitation (although I had no idea just how difficult that road could be). Nonetheless, I’ve worn that ring since the day it was given to me and done my best to be true to the promise my little middle school heart made to my earthly father, my Heavenly Father, and you, my Future Husband.

It wasn’t always easy waiting for you. It wasn’t always easy when boys would lose interest when I said no. It wasn’t always easy to explain to people all the reasons why I believed you were worth waiting for without even knowing your name yet. All I knew was that God’s design is more beautiful than anything this world could dream up – and that was worth waiting for even when it was hard.

 When I felt like giving up, I’d think of you and then I would write to you. I dreamed of one day giving all those letters to the man I married so that he would see how truly important he was long before I ever met him. Today, you are that man. And although some have since been misplaced, I pray you treasure these letters I’ve written to you over the years.  

 As I step out of my single life and into the mystery of marriage with you in Jesus name, I’m giving to you the purity ring my daddy placed on my hand when I was a young 13 year-old girl. In it’s place, I’ll wear the wedding band that you’ll place on my finger today as your bride.

Because you are and always have been the future husband that God designed for me, the one I’ve prayed for, hoped for, and waited for all these years.

 Although it’s been a long road of waiting, God has walked with me through the steps of lonely seasons, heartbreaks, loss, frustration, and so much more to prepare me to become a wife worthy of your love. Looking back, every single one of those steps that brought us here were so beyond worth it. And I know without a doubt that you are worth it and I’d do it all over again if I had to.

So as I walk down that aisle toward you today, I want you to know that I believe that walk is so much more than a ceremonial motion or formality. Each step represents the steps that God has walked with me through to bring me to this moment as I take this big step in becoming your wife.

Today we give Him everything. Today, we give each other everything.

I can’t express to you how overwhelmed I am by the faithfulness and goodness of God in His blessing of me with you as my husband and I joyfully give you my hand, my heart, and my life from now until the end of time.

Love,

Your Forever Bride