We sat in silence on the phone, both crying but not knowing what to say.

Finally, she spoke. “I surrender it Rachel. If this is God’s will, then it is perfect. I don’t understand, but I love Him. His plan for my life is better than my own.”

About a year earlier, Lauren had received a word from the Lord in prayer. As she was seeking His will for her life, she felt a strong sense in her spirit that she was supposed to make a commitment to celibacy. Hurt and confused, she had no idea where this word had come from. It seemed inconsistent with the loving Father she knew. She called me the next week and hoped I could confirm that God would never ask something like that of her. Knowing Lauren, being a wife and a mother was her greatest dream. God couldn’t possibly take that away from her. He had instilled that desire and passion in her – it made no sense. We prayed and fasted over the next several days, trying to find clarity. But neither of us received any release from this word – it seemed as if God had spoken it, and He confirmed it in our prayers.

The next year was extremely painful, and hard to watch as my closest friend grieved her greatest dream. We were still trying to find loopholes – pieces of Scripture that were evidence we were mishearing God. But God’s call was there – He was asking Lauren to commit to a life of singleness.

I was sitting in my backyard in Williston on a sunny day in April when I received the above phone call. Lauren was done fighting – done running from God. She surrendered the prospect of ever being married and having her own family. We prayed together and courageously stepped into a new chapter – hoping that God had a glorious plan that would trump marriage.

The next morning I was reading in my Bible and found myself in Genesis – the passage detailing Abraham’s sacrifice of his son Isaac. In the chapters leading up to this momentous story, a picture was painted of Abraham’s supreme desire to bear a child with his wife Sarah. After many decades of trying they had given up – Sarah was too old for childbearing and that window had closed. Yet miraculously after a promise from the Lord, she conceived a child at age 89 (wait..what?).

As the story goes, God calls Abraham to sacrifice his new son Isaac on the altar – not a metaphorical sacrifice, but a literal one – taking his son’s life. Pain and grief consume Abraham (one can assume), but he is unwavering in his faith. He takes Isaac atop a mountain and prepares the altar for sacrifice. The passage says that “he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, ‘Abraham! Abraham!'”

Do not lay a hand on the boy, he said, do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.

I read the passage, trembling. “God, is this what this was all about?” It was so clear in that moment that the Lord had brought Lauren to the place of raising her knife. Abraham was about to step into a huge calling (like the father of all nations), and God needed to make sure he was his guy.

And because of Lauren’s faith, she would be blessed beyond measure.

I called to tell her the news – that the Lord was preparing her for something beyond her wildest dreams. His plan for her life not only included marriage, but a marriage that would set a Kingdom standard. She and her husband would be a force for the gospel, and many would look to them for guidance. She took my words to prayer, and felt the Lord release her from her commitment. For the first time since the “word”, it was clear that God was not leading her into a life of celibacy.

She didn’t meet Danny the next day.

In fact, this redheaded hunk would not even enter her life for another year and a half. But she remained steadfast – following the Lord with each step. Believing that in singleness or in marriage God was real and He was glorious. I cannot begin to tell you how her faith has changed my life.

I’ve only had the chance to meet Danny a few times, but there is no doubt in my mind he is the worthy partner and leader of this woman of faith. I’ve known Lauren for a long time – I’ve seen her in many seasons, her heart in many places. But I have never seen her so alive – so authentic as she is partnered with Danny. She is radiant with a love for Christ that is contagious – I’m so blessed to find myself in its wake.

This past weekend Lauren and Danny wed in Minnesota. In front of about 260 people they declared their love and commitment to Christ and each other. It was truly an honor to be by her side in this journey and at her wedding. Their wedding was signature Danny & Lauren – from the music to the burritos to the first dance. They nailed it.

And now the real journey begins.

Early on in our friendship, Lauren and I made a friendship covenant. I have a small slip of notebook paper in my Bible that she wrote 6 years ago – listing 5 things she committed to me as a friend before God. And in these last six years she has stood by her word, fiercely committing to love me and dream for me. To be honest with me and to pray for me. She is a faithful covenant partner, and Danny will be the recipient of her marriage covenant and commitment for the rest of his life.

Danny and Lauren, receive the blessing. Continue to bring each other deeper into the vastness of Christ. Keep adding to the list of inside jokes. Start praying for your radical little children. Know that your marriage is anointed and prayed over. I love you both – can’t wait to see God’s dreams unfold.