Ali Elizabeth

“In His Perfect Timing”

By the time you read this, I will be just days away from one of the most important moments of my life. This weekend, I get to marry my best friend, Nick.

If you’ve read my column for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed that faith finds its way into many of my stories. That’s because when I look back on my life, I can see God’s fingerprints all over it, even in the moments when I couldn’t see what He was doing at the time.

Like most of you can relate, there were seasons when I wondered if certain prayers would ever be answered. There were times I questioned why doors closed, why plans changed, and why things weren’t happening on the timeline I had imagined for myself. It’s easy to trust God’s timing when everything is going our way. It’s much harder when we’re waiting. But in the waiting is when we truly see Gods love.

As I prepare to walk down the aisle and marry Nick, I find myself reflecting on all those moments that led me here. Every disappointment, every tear, every season of uncertainty suddenly makes sense. Not because they were easy, but because they were part of a bigger plan than I could see.

Had things happened according to my timing, I might have missed out on the incredible blessing God had prepared for me. Instead, He was writing a story that was better than anything I could have planned myself.

Nick came into my life at exactly the right moment. Not when I thought I was ready. Not when it would have been most convenient. But when God knew it was time. That’s the funny thing about God’s timing. It rarely matches our calendars, but it is always perfect.

As excited as I am for the wedding, what I am most looking forward to is the marriage. The ordinary days. Sunday mornings at church. Family dinners. The laughter, the challenges, and all the moments in between that make up a life together. I am grateful that I get to spend those moments with someone who loves God, and loves me undoubtedly! 

This week, my encouragement is simple: if you’re waiting on something, don’t lose hope. Maybe it’s a relationship, a job, healing, direction, or an answered prayer. Keep trusting. Keep praying. Keep believing that God is working even when you can’t see it. 

As I step into this new chapter, my heart is so full of gratitude. Not just for the man I am marrying, but for God who faithfully led me to him.