God's Timing is Everything
Learning the Importance of Timing
I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase:
“Timing is everything.”
It’s a simple statement, but lately I’ve realized just how important that truly is as a child of the one and only God.
Before I got married, I planned everything far in advance before making any major decisions.
I lived very simply.
I didn’t take many risks.
It was not a dangerous life at all.
And honestly, in some ways, that can be beneficial.
But once I got married…
My goodness, did that ever change.
A Quick Introduction
My name is Alexander, and I am the husband of the beautiful mind behind Doves in Progress.
My wife and I are very different people and come from completely different backgrounds.
My wife grew up in a very spontaneous household. Her family moved to multiple states—sometimes even moving back and forth.
Meanwhile, I grew up in Gilbert, Arizona and lived there for the vast majority of my life.
One of the first areas where we started butting heads was timing and making big decisions.
I like to think we both need each other in this area and now meet in a healthy middle.
When We Knew
A perfect example of this was when we were dating.
From the beginning, we both knew our relationship was leading toward marriage.
We were not dating casually or wasting each other’s time.
But eventually, we hit a small hiccup when we finally discussed when we thought we would get married.
At the time, I told my wife:
“Probably after I graduate college.”
The problem was…
I was a freshman.
That meant about four years.
Tamaney simply responded with:
“Okay.”
But immediately, I could see how stressed that made her feel.
When God Spoke
About eight months passed.
One day, while I was alone, I felt the Lord speak to me so clearly.
Honestly, it felt like a father sitting his son down for a serious conversation.
I remember Him telling me:
“You need to propose to Tamaney on June 13th and marry her on October 22nd.”
Internally, I panicked.
I didn’t feel ready.
I didn’t even have a ring.
The Confirmation
Then something happened later that same day that completely shocked me.
I was at the gym with a close friend of mine.
We had just finished our workout and were about to leave when, out of nowhere, he said:
“Hey bro, I don’t know if you’d be interested, but I know you plan to eventually marry Tamaney and wanted to let you know I’m selling my ring if you’d like it.”
He offered it to me at a severely discounted price.
(I won’t say how much.)
I remember freezing.
Then finally saying yes.
I could not believe it.
It became so clear to me what the Lord was pushing me to do.
Not only was He giving me direction…
He was practically placing the ring in my hands.
I remember sitting in my car afterward, nodding my head, and simply saying:
“Okay Lord. I got it.”
Obedience Changed Everything
I proposed to her on June 13th, 2022.
And we got married on October 22nd, 2022—
Exactly like the Lord told me to.
And it was the greatest decision I have ever made.
The blessings that came from that obedience continue to reveal themselves even now.
Why God’s Timing Matters
I could have waited until after college like I originally planned.
Or I could have rushed into marriage much earlier.
I still don’t fully understand why the Lord chose those specific dates for us.
But I am so thankful I obeyed.
Because while timing matters…
God’s timing is everything.
He Knows the Right Time
If we open our hearts and minds to Him in the situations we face, He will let us know when it is time to move.
And sometimes…
He will tell us to wait.
The Lord opens and closes doors at the right time—
not too early and not too late.
Obedience Builds Relationship
I truly believe this is essential for our relationship with Him.
If I had waited too long to propose to Tamaney, maybe I eventually would have lost her.
And if I had rushed into it too early, maybe it would have been too much for us.
I don’t know.
And honestly, I’m grateful I never had to find out.
Scripture on God’s Timing
“When the time is right, I, the Lord, will make it happen.”
— Isaiah 60:22
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
— Psalm 27:14
Final Encouragement
With all of this in mind, I urge you to listen carefully to what the Lord may be:
- pushing you toward
- or protecting you from
Whether He is telling you to wait…
Or telling you it is finally time to move.
One beautiful thing I have learned this year is this:
The Lord remembers our obedience.
And He blesses those who follow His will.