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This is SO Deep. . . Brother Unmarried and the Sisters at Church
Okay sisters (and a couple of brothers):
This is a long one and may take about 10 minutes to read, but trust me, the lesson is well worth it. I don't know who wrote it, but it's a rather clever way to get a point across. Humor can be a very effective tactic.
Brother Unmarried walks into the church, goes into the balcony and sits in a certain spot. Several unmarried women notice him at the same time, but none say anything. The women in question are Sister Blue Shoes, Sister Black Shoes, Sister Red Shoes, and Sister High Heels. All are single, over
25, and quite available and hopeful for a husband.
The next week they look up and notice him again. The brother is alone again and no ring on his left finger. And he's not bad to look at either. On top of that, he's toting a Bible that looks quite worn. He must be serious about the Lord!
Week three, he appears again, Bible in hand, eyes focused on the pastor.
Week four...he must be a new member of the church and he sits in the same general area week after week after week. But there is only one problem. He's not very sociable. He just keeps his eyes on the service! Church is over and the pastor says, "As you depart, hug your neighbor." And wouldn't you know it, he turns around and hugs Sister Blue Shoes. Then as he heads for the door, he smiles at Sister Red Shoes and waves goodbye to Sister Black shoes. As he heads out towards his car, he politely begins a conversation with Sister High Heels who is walking in the same direction and wishes her a pleasant day as she arrives at her car. Brother Unmarried gets into his car, turns on his favorite gospel station, and heads home.
He arrives home, walks through the door and immediately calls his fiancée
(Sister Chosen) who is presently in her last year of medical school in Alabama. He loves her dearly. They have known each other since 7th grade. The brother starts to reminisce as her telephone rings. He remembers the first day he ever saw her. She was new to the school and she walked in with her hair in a ponytail, braces, and a beautiful smile. Everyone loved her bubbly personality and she became popular instantly. And he was so surprised how quickly she transitioned in the new school and new neighborhood. Of course, it really excited him that from day one, she made it clear that she liked him too, and they officially became girlfriend and boyfriend within weeks of her arrival. They have been inseparable ever since. When they were teens they joined the same church, same choir, and all the same youth groups. While many of their friends' pre-teen crushes ended, theirs endured.
They attended the same high school, went to the prom together, and attended the same college. They completed their four years of college, and she went on to medical school while he went on to graduate school. That was the first time they had been separated, but the distance only drew their hearts closer together. They agreed that after she completed medical school they would marry. So Brother Unmarried decided that he would go ahead and get his two-year Master's degree while the love of his life, Sister Chosen, completed her four-year medical degree. After getting his Master's he started to work and wait for Sister Chosen to complete her studies. Fortunately she will graduate in just 7 more months. Wow. Time's flying. He has already purchased the ring and will present it to her on her graduation day. The wedding plans are complete!
"Hello." The sound of Sister Chosen's voice awakens him from his daydream. He goes on to tell her about the fact that he is enjoying his new job and that he has found a good church. In fact, he is thinking about joining, but wants to wait for her to come to town so she can visit the church and see whether or not she likes it. They talk for another half hour and they end the conversation. He smiles to himself, thanking the Lord for such a wonderful woman!
MEANWHILE in Sister Blue Shoes' House...
Sister Blue Shoes has been excited for the past several weeks. She just cannot stop thinking about Brother Unmarried. And she cannot stop meditating on the fact that out of all the women in the church whom he could have hugged, he actually hugged her! No, that could not possibly be coincidence. No way. That was fate! The Lord led him to sit in front of her that Sunday and it must have been the Lord who led him to turn around and hug her! Sister Blue Shoes cannot contain her excitement a moment longer. She calls her best friend. Check out the conversation:
Sister Blue Shoes: Girrrrl, you are going to be a maid of honor soon!
Best Friend: What's going on, Blue Shoes?
Sister Blue Shoes: That brother I was telling you about---the single brother who's been attending church every Sunday? Girl, he was sitting beside a single woman in church today. In fact he was surrounded by single women but when the pastor said for us to hug our neighbor, he hugged me. Can you believe that? He could have hugged the sister who was sitting right beside him, but he chose to hug me. ME, girl!
Best Friend: Now that is nobody but the Lord!
Sister Blue Shoes: I know! And the strangest feeling went through me as I was hugging him. I felt like I was hugging my husband! It's God. He spoke to me and told me that I was hugging my husband!
Best Friend: I stand in agreement with you on that!
Sister Blue Shoes: He's mine. I claim him in the name of Jesus. I know he's mine!
Meanwhile, in Brother Unmarried's house... Brother Unmarried is still thinking about his fiancée, Sister Chosen. He wants to call her back and talk some more, but it's getting late and the phone bill is going to be astronomical again this month! He thinks about it and...oh, well. Fifteen more minutes won't hurt. Before he knows it, he's calling his future queen yet again!
And in Sister Black Shoes' House, another scenario...
Dear Diary, I just met my future husband this week. I had been checking him out for the past several weeks. I had a feeling in my spirit that he was my husband when I first laid eyes on him but it was confirmed today. As we were exiting the church, he looked me right in the eyes and waved at me!!!!! Whew! Now, of all the women in that church, he waved at me. It's interesting because he waved in a very familiar manner, as though he has known me for years. YES, this is my ordained mate. I just know it.
And in Sister Red Shoes' House...
Hey, mom! Guess what? My future husband smiled at me today in church! Yep, it's that guy I told you about. He's been coming to church for the past few weeks. I knew he was my husband the moment I looked at him, but today he actually smiled at me on our way out of the church. Can you believe that? All those gorgeous women in church, but he did not smile at any of them! He smiled at ME!!!!!
And in Sister High Heels' House...
Sister High Heels: Hey Prophetess Angie, I stopped by to speak to you because something serious happened today! Do you remember about a year ago you prophesied to me that I would meet my husband when I least expected to? Guess what? I met him today. You were right!!!
Prophetess Angie: Yes, as a matter of fact, I believe you are going to be married within the next year! What happened, girl?
Sister High Heels: The next year???!!! Lord, I need to sit down because I'm so overwhelmed I might fall out!
Prophetess Angie: Let me get you some juice. Just calm down.
Sister High Heels: For the past several weeks a very handsome gentleman has been sitting in the section of the church that I always sit in. It's funny because as big as that church is, why is he sitting in my section, way up there in the balcony?
Prophetess Angie: You don't even have to finish your sentence. As I was praying for you last weekend, I sensed that you were about to meet your husband. You met him, didn't you?!
Sister High Heels: YES!!!!
Prophetess Angie: As I was praying for you, I saw his face. He has medium brown skin, is handsome, and under 6 feet tall, right?
Sister High Heels: Girl, YES! He is about 5'10" in height, slender, dresses in really nice suits, is very clean cut. You saw him?
Prophetess Angie: Sure did. I saw him in a vision. He was walking beside you...
Sister High Heels: What! Girl, that is exactly what happened in church! Your vision was right. Of all the women he could have chosen to walk to their cars, he walked me to my car. I cannot even remember what we talked about because my heart was beating so fast. And I did not even ask him his name...
Prophetess Angie: We are going out tomorrow looking for wedding dresses. We claim him for you! Don't tell anybody else because they will think you are crazy, but we are going to start your wedding plans tomorrow!!!
Sister High Heels: Get me some tissues. I am about to cry...
Meanwhile, in Brother Unmarried's House...
Brother Unmarried: I cannot wait for you to get here in town. I just miss you so much...
Sister Chosen: I look forward to seeing you, too. Thank God I'm almost through with medical school. We then can proceed with our life plans...
Brother Unmarried: Yes, ma'am! I hope our future children look just like you. You are the most beautiful woman on the entire planet...
The Following Sunday, in Church...
Sisters Blue Shoes, Red Shoes, Black Shoes, and High Heels all scurry to their seats, each hoping that Brother Unmarried will arrive soon. Although they have seen each other in passing, none of the women know each other. None of them have even a clue about the fact that each one has set their "aim" on Brother Unmarried and that they each have "claimed" him as their husbands. They also have no idea that he is engaged and very much in love with Sister Chosen. Praise and worship service begins, but none of the women can concentrate. Each are checking, waiting, hoping that Brother Unmarried will arrive soon. Praise and worship ends and still no sign of Brother Unmarried. Pastor says the morning prayer, service officially begins, the sermon is uplifting, the altar call, the benediction...what happened to Brother Unmarried?
Sister High Heels has an idea. Maybe he decided not to attend the 8:00 service this week. Perhaps he's attending the 11:00 service. Hmm...she decides to stay until praise and worship for the 11:00 service has ended. If he's not here by then, she decided, she will go on home...
Meanwhile, at the church across town... Brother Unmarried decided to visit his uncle's church this week---the
10:30 service. As he enters the sanctuary with his aunt and uncle, he sees a woman smiling at him. She nods her head at him. He smiles back, sits down beside his uncle, and enjoys the service, not knowing that the sister who just nodded is secretly aiming and claiming him as her future husband!
Over the next several weeks Brother Unmarried visits several other churches with various friends and relatives. He has decided to take his fiancée's advice. She told him not to make any rash decisions about joining a new church just yet, but to visit several...
Tortured minds at the original church...
All of the sisters are confused about what's going on with their future husband. Sisters Blue Shoes, Red Shoes, High Heels, and Black Shoes all have been looking out for Brother Unmarried...having problems concentrating on the services because they just don't know where their future husband could be.
Week 8... Brother Unmarried did go back to the church but none of the women saw him because he attended the 11:00 service and sat downstairs instead of in the balcony...after all, his mind is on nothing but the church service and he finds that he concentrates better downstairs.
Sister Black Shoes...
Dear Diary,
It's been several months since I saw Brother Unmarried. The devil is hiding my husband from me. I'm going to continue to pray and stand for him to return...maybe I should fast for a few days.
Sister Red Shoes... Mom, I don't know what's going on. I have not seen my future husband in months! I am keeping him uplifted in prayer.
Sister Blue Shoes...
I am confused. I don't know what happened to Brother Unmarried. I think I saw him coming into the church as I was leaving but I'm not sure that was him. One thing I do know though - he is definitely my husband! He'll be back.
Sister High Heels...
Thanks for stopping by, Prophetess Angie. It's now been 11 months and I've only seen Brother Unmarried a few times in church in all this time. What's going on?
Prophetess Angie: Just stand. Your patience is being tested by the Lord. Don't waver. Keep the faith. We already have that gorgeous gown picked out and hidden in your closet. I know you are going to be wearing that gown and those lovely shoes soon. We've picked out the caterer that you will use, etc. Just be still. Just concern yourself with the guest list!
Meanwhile, on a beach in Mexico...
Brother MARRIED: Our wedding was so beautiful!
Sister Chosen-Married: Yes, it was! Can you believe this? We've been together since we were in junior high school, and now we finally are man and wife. I'm so happy!
The Newlyweds Arrive Home...
Brother Married and Sister Chosen-Married walk into the church, hand-in-hand. They have a seat. This is Sister Chosen-Married's first time visiting her new husband's church, but he told her that of all the churches he has visited, this is the one he likes the most. In the balcony Sisters Red Shoes, Blue Shoes, Black Shoes, and High Heels peer over, looking downstairs. Each of them squint their eyes. They all think the same thoughts. NO, that guy looks like him, but it can't be him because Brother Unmarried is always alone when he comes here, but there is a woman beside him---and he's holding her hand!
Sister Red Shoes cannot stand the suspense. She gets up and goes downstairs and seats herself directly behind the two. She needs to know if this is really him, her future husband. As the pastor instructs the church to stand and greet one another, Brother Unmarried turns around and speaks to several people, including her---but...there is no recognition in his eyes. Doesn't he remember smiling at her in church last year? Then the unthinkable happens. Sister Chosen-Married turns and speaks to her and Sister Red Shoes catches a glimpse of the breathtaking diamond ring on Sister Chosen-Married's finger. Determined to get to the bottom of things, Sister Red Shoes decides to take action:
Sister Red Shoes: Oh, what a lovely ring!
Sister Chosen-Married: Thanks! My husband designed it himself and surprised me with it! I'm a newlywed. This is my husband, Jeff. My name is Rayna, and this is my first visit to this church. My husband had been telling me about this church while I've been away at medical school. Now I see why he loves it so much. Everyone's so friendly!
Sister Red Shoes: [heart sinking and forced smile] Oh, congratulations and welcome to the church! You two make a beautiful couple---and girl, that heart-shaped rock is going to blind someone. It's huge and just gorgeous!
Over the next several weeks the other women all see Rayna and Jeff entering and exiting the church together, holding hands. It is obvious that they are newly married and happily so.
Oh, well. Another false alarm. Another disappointment. Another unanswered (false) prophecy. Another shattered dream.
Another wasted hope. And the moral of the story?
Ladies, stop "aiming and claiming" men. Let the men set their aims on you. Let them target you. Keep your mind focused in on the service. Don't assume that just because a brother sits next to you or smiles at you, or befriends you---that he is interested in you. More than likely, he is not interested in a relationship. He is simply being friendly, which is what brotherly love is all about! All over the country, unsuspecting men are being "claimed" as husbands. These brothers would be shocked to know that anywhere from 5 to 10 women in their churches have possibly targeted them as husbands. All of the women have the same story. They KNOW in their hearts, souls, minds and spirits that the man is their husband because "GOD" told them so. How many wives can one man have? And most of the men probably have girlfriends who either attend other churches or who are out of town at the moment. If the truth be known, many of the men in church have unsaved girlfriends who they keep on the side so that they can fornicate when the feeling hits them. Yes, I'm talking about saved Christian men! There is a man shortage, but that does not mean that women need to set their aims and claims on any available brother whom they happen to see. That needs to stop. Have you seen a brother in church whom you believe is your husband? Guess what? You are not alone. Several other women see him as a husband also! You heard from God about him? Several other women have "heard from God" about him also! A prophet confirmed it? Guess what? Other women also have had it confirmed through various prophets. Are you following my line of thought?
I heard a preacher preaching once about when a woman in his church approached him and informed him that the "Lord" told her that he is her husband (this was before he met and married his wife). He said he looked at the woman. She had none of the physical qualities that he desired in a mate, and he was not attracted to her on any level. He said that he immediately told her that the Lord had not told him any such thing and ended by telling her that he was not interested. He later met the woman of his dreams, and he has now been happily married to her for over 25 years. I heard another preacher say that in his church a woman approached a man, put her hands on the man and exclaimed, "I claim you as my husband in the name of Jesus." The man was shocked, to say the least (especially since he did not want the woman!).
Last month I wrote an article titled "Familiar Spirits" and I made it clear that such a spirit can mislead a woman into believing someone is her future husband. However, in the majority of cases it's not a spirit. It's the woman's own mind and flesh as she sets aim on a man whom she deems available and claims him as her mate. Oftentimes such women confide in others about the "claimed" man. God has a serious disposition. He does not tempt, tease, or play with women's emotions. He will not prophecy to a woman that a man is her husband unless He tells the man also. The man is the one expected to approach the woman so why wouldn't He tell the man? The truth of the matter is that He won't have a woman waiting aimlessly for years and years for a man to figure out that she is to be his wife. That's not God. I'll end with this question: Don't you find it rather odd, suspicious, and down-right strange that while "God" is telling women that men in church are their husbands, He almost never shares these revelations with men? Think about it. In 99.999% of the cases, you will find women claiming men as their husbands in Jesus' name. However, you won't find any men running around saying that Sister So-and-So is their wife. Something is wrong with that picture. Sisters, let go and let God. He still can supply all of your needs in accordance with His riches in glory. And when you can, read and receive Isaiah 54. It will settle you...
All that I am . . .is because of Him!
Unknown
This was SOOOOOOO profound!!
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I am a woman, I make mistakes. I make them often. God has given me a talent and that's it. ~ Jill Scott
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Re: This is SO Deep. . . Brother Unmarried and the Sisters at Church
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