Eric's Podcast

#4 When Prayers Feel Unanswered - God's timing

• Eric Griffin • Season 1 • Episode 6

Share episode

Send us a text

Have you ever held onto a promise so deeply that it shaped your path through life’s uncertainties? In this episode, I share my personal journey of trusting God’s timing—especially when it came to love and prayer. As a teenager, I held onto a promise that my future wife would come into my life before I turned 20. Through moments of doubt and impatience, that promise became a steady light, guiding me to an unforgettable encounter at a ballet charity event where everything seemed to fall into place. It wasn’t just a meeting—it was a moment of recognition that reaffirmed the power of faith and patience in life’s waiting periods.

Join me as I reflect on the challenges, breakthroughs, and moments of trust that defined my relationship with Sarah Jane. From quietly believing she was the one, to navigating the ups and downs of life and love after her breakup, I explore how faith and divine timing brought us together. Through heartfelt memories of pivotal moments—by the riverbed, at the beach, and beyond—I recount how our friendship turned into something more. This story is a testament to the beauty of holding onto God’s promises and finding love in the most unexpected ways.

Eric's Podcast. 

Speaker 1:

Hello and welcome to another podcast episode. I'm your host, eric. Today we're going to be talking about when prayers feel unanswered, understanding and trusting God's timing in the midst of silence. And what do we mean by that? Well, I think we all can. We all can kind of agree that we have prayed before and expecting that there should be some kind of it should be done right away. We're expecting, like God is a genie or something like that and that you know he'll just snap his fingers and everything will be good, everything will be all right. And while that certainly can happen, you certainly can pray and things can change instantaneously. You can have a thought of prayer and because God knows your thoughts and he can change it right away. But sometimes we pray and we don't see the change right away. And sometimes we hear from the Lord and we expect what he says is going to happen to happen on our time frame and our schedule happen on our time frame and our schedule.

Speaker 1:

I can give you a great example, actually of numerous times, but let me give you this. Let me tell you a story about how I met my beautiful wife and how we ended up getting married. So when I was a teenager, no-transcript, and I would pray and I would ask the Lord, just tell me, show me who she is. I was having like dreams of. I had a dream of her hand, I had a dream of the side of her face and I would go to the spot in the forest. I had this basic. It kind of became like almost a what is it? It's not a temple, it's like a I forget what those things are called Like an ancient place. But it kind of became this place where I would always go and I would sit on this rock and I would pray and I would talk to the Lord and I would ask Him various questions and various things. And one of those things was my wife. And I would pray and ask the Lord, lord, if you just tell me a time frame when I'm going to meet her, because your word is a promise, and if you tell me, then I don't, I will not, I don't have to ask you anymore, I don't have to think about it anymore and I just know that that is going to happen. And the Lord told me he said you will see her before your teen years end, and I at that time I was 16. No, yeah, 16 or 17. And I was like, okay, that sounds great, I can wait till then. I'm thinking 18 is when, I don't know why, but in my mind I was just like 18 is when 19 years end. And so this is perfect, I can wait a couple of years and then I'll. I know I'm going to meet her.

Speaker 1:

And every time I had the thought of, oh, is that actually going to happen? Or anything like that, I could always go back to that promise and wait. And let me tell you you doubt the want for me to disbelieve in the you know the thoughts and everything of oh, that you didn't really hear, that you didn't, that wasn't really God and all this stuff all crept in and kept coming in. That's why it's important to record. Whenever you know you actually have heard something from the Lord, always record it, always Write it on paper, record it an audio file, something, anyway. So when I was 18, at the end of 18, in December, at the end of 18, in December, I was like I was back at my spot talking to the Lord. I was saying Lord, I'm 18 now and it's the end of the year. I haven't seen her yet. And he's like you will meet her before your teen years. He repeated the same thing that you will see her before your teen years have ended. And I'm like, and I thought about it, oh, 19. Of course, okay, well, next year, this is great. Of course, okay, well, next year, this is great.

Speaker 1:

And so we, you know, got January and February and March and at the time I was in a ballet company and we, yeah, fun fact, I used to be a dancer, but ballet dancer to be specific, but I was in a ballet company and we were going to do this charity event in Atlanta and so, um, I didn't want to ride in the bus with all the girls going down there. So my brother and I we flew, and we flew to atlanta, got a hotel and everything, and there was a uh like the first night, it was kind of like a convention type of thing, and we were going to perform the next day and there was a worship thing going on across the street with the event and everything, which was interesting and fun. And then the next day we were there all getting set up and everything, and I was sitting at this table with the rest of my company and everybody, and this girl walks up on the stage to do her bit and I'm watching her and it is like a lightning bolt hit me. It is like an ahhh moment and I was like tearing, starting to tear up, and it's just, I cannot believe my eyes. I'm thinking that is my wife right there, and it was as if I had already known her. It was as if I had known her my whole life. It was as if we have always been one. And it's like my second half just showed up and at the same time the prophecy that the Lord gave me just also came flooding back and everything was just brighter and I could hardly breathe brighter and and I couldn't hardly breathe.

Speaker 1:

And then she walked off stage and sat down at our table and I can't speak, I'm just staring at her and I can like barely move. Um, and she thought I was like like a weird because she's not getting the same reaction. But I'm thinking like this is I don't even know what to do here. And I got a car ride back and I was just crying the whole time. I cried all in the shower that night time. I cried all in the shower that night just praising the Lord, thanking Him for how good he is and how great he's been and yeah, and so after that conference, and so after that conference, she, oh yeah, and it so happened that she actually rode in the van. She was a part of our group this whole time, which I never knew, but she rode in the van and it turns out that she lives an hour away from me and so basically we live in North Carolina in a small town called Boone, and she lives an hour away from me and it took going to Atlanta, anyway. So on top of that she owns a dance studio and she needs somebody to play Joseph, and she knew we were introduced and everything. And so it's like, of course I'm going to accept. And so I went and did that and that was great.

Speaker 1:

And my approach at that time, after I gathered some of my senses, was I was going to befriend her because I didn't want to just rush in and rush everything. So I was going to befriend her because I didn't want to just rush in and rush everything. So I was going to befriend her and I was going to take things slow because I didn't want to. You know, I wanted to be a gentleman and polite and all of that. And well, it turns out. And so of course it turns out, and so of course I'm praying and I'm trying to, I'm trying to, I'm trying to do things in a proper way, um, while also not going and going like crazy because she's my wife and uh.

Speaker 1:

But so then this other guy somehow comes into the picture and turns out she was actually looking for more, she was looking to get into a relationship because she had just gotten out of another one. Well, not just, she had taken some time, but she was making moves because she wanted to get married at some point. Looking to get she's making moves because she wanted to get married at some point. And, anyways, I'm also younger than her too, so that probably played a little bit in there. But this other chap came into the picture and she's like will you come meet this cool guy and I want to get your opinion on him, or something like that, because we were friends at that time. And, yes, I know, I friended myself. I, you know, friended myself on purpose. Okay, guys, I'm not, this is my first, I'm trying, okay, anyway.

Speaker 1:

So I went with him, we went over, we did a hiking, we did a hiking thing and it was pretty, let's just say, tight, like there was this tensness in the air. He was for some reason. I don't know if he was intimidated by me or if I was just annoying. That could have been it. Either way it was working, I think. So that went fine. And then after that day, oh yeah, so that went fine. And then after that day, oh yeah. So then there was a kind are your intentions for Sarah Jane to marriage or not? And he's looking at me and he's just like, oh, it's to marriage. And I'm thinking, okay.

Speaker 1:

And so that day after they had left, sarah Jane and I, I was like I need to talk to you, I have something I need to tell you, and this whole time, I know she's my wife, I know I'm going to marry this person, and this goes back into God's timing. This whole thing goes back into the beginning of this episode, god's timing. And so I'm feeling like, well, I need to tell her, I need to tell her what this is about, what's going on in all this. So we went down to the creek and we found this really pretty peaceful place, and that's when I laid it all on her. I told her the whole story that I just told you, with the teen years ended, and how I know you're going to be my wife someday, and how I know you're going to be my wife someday. And I was trying to take things easy and trying to just be friends and take things slower. But if you want to choose Ian, then I'll respect your decision, but I will be here for you always Something like that. And we're both tearing up and stuff. Well, I'm tearing up way more. She's just kind of stunned at the whole, doesn't know what to say. Very awkward moment for her, at least that's the way I think. Anyway, she ended up choosing Ian.

Speaker 1:

I went into this like swirling I don't know what to do, what is going on went back to my spot where God told me that prophecy at the beginning. I went back to my spot and I cried out to him. I was like Lord, what is happening? What is going on? And I'm like I know she's my wife, I know that. And then and I didn't hear anything, I didn't hear any response from him. There was nothing. It was just silence and peacefulness and I kept going back there and I realized I am willing to wait for her. I am willing to wait for her and that was my resolve. I am willing to wait for her. I know the Lord's promise will come true. I know that she is my wife. I know that's her. I'm willing to wait for her. Even if it means marrying her in my old age, I will do that.

Speaker 1:

And so, two years later of waiting and waiting and growing and still interacting with her, this wasn't like a clean cut, because we're still friends and we still did dance stuff together and I would see Ian here and there in the coffee shop and all this stuff. He did not like me, it's very clear. And then so two years later, two years of long waiting, I was invited to a friend's wedding and she was invited also. I knew she was too. And we got to the wedding. I was talking to some friends and this and that I am 22, 21. I think I'm 22 at that time, but 21 or 22. But I'm talking to friends and stuff.

Speaker 1:

She walks in without Ian. I turn and look at her and again it was like oh my goodness, oh my word. And then I instantly put the pieces together and I can't keep my eyes off of her and my friend slowly just kind of walks away, gets the picture and I'm talking to her and I start hopping like not hopping off the ground, but more like lifting up on my heels at the same time and I'm getting so happy because I'm thinking he's not in the picture anymore. He's not in the picture anymore. This is coming to pass again. Like, is this the time, is this it?

Speaker 1:

And we go and we talk and her side of the story is she just got dumped via a letter personally left on her doorstep. Like the guy drove an hour down to her house to drop off a letter and she was in the house and he knew she was in the house. And then, and she was in the house and she he knew she was in the house and then went and then drove back. So it's kind of like, anyways, she's devastated. I'm jumping up and down with glee. She's about to slap me in the face and walk away, but she didn't and I I was like I need to get myself together. This is not appropriate.

Speaker 1:

And so we go and we sit down in a common room this is all during the wedding reception, by the way and we talk and I'm thinking I'm not going to screw this up. This is my chance, this is it. I have to get my bootstraps and get going and get on the horse, and this is it. I got to, this is it. And so I'm talking to her. She wants to have a break, she wants to have a rest period, a rest time from any kind of relationships or anything, and I'm like, I completely support that, I think that's a great idea, but I have to still be involved somehow. So she owned a dance studio at the time and I owned a website agency at the time a website agency at the time and so I offered to do her website for free and I would help her do a logo and do all that help elevate her dance studio.

Speaker 1:

But really, in the back of my mind, I'm thinking I could use this maybe to better the friendship and then potentially because, listen, I love her, I love her, I want to marry her. I know she's my wife and she always has been. I know she's my wife and she always has been, and so I knew that that was the time, that was it that was ready for. I needed. It was time and, believe it or not, up to that point, up to the wedding, I had just become okay, being single, like, yes, I knew that she was my wife and I knew that I was going to marry her Someday, did not know the time frame. And that's what you have to realize God's timing is not our timing. That's why it's helpful to get a promise from him, because you know it's going to be fulfilled. But it doesn't mean you're going to live to see it be fulfilled, except in cases like this. Fulfilled, and except in the cases like this, but anyway. So, uh.

Speaker 1:

So I started working on her, got bombarded with so much temptation to doubt the promise that the Lord gave me. Bombarded to doubt that I was actually going to marry her. Bombarded to doubt that she wasn't actually my wife and she didn't want anything, to do like she wasn't ever going to marry me. No-transcript, and I would have to just repeat the same thing. No, the Lord said she is my wife. No, the Lord's promises are true and they always come true. And no, his word does not go out without void. It was constant, and what didn't help was meeting with Sarah Jane, helping her with her website. That's backfiring on me, because I'm like self-torturing myself, because I'm meeting with her and it's like she's keeping her distance and it's just this, this whole thing.

Speaker 1:

And then, six months later, it came down to the two of us sitting on a riverbed or the side of the river talking, and I don't remember the specifics of what was actually discussed. Maybe she does and we can ask her to go over her story when she gets on the podcast in another episode, but there is something I don't like. I said I wish I could remember, but there was some kind of altercation, something that was not an argument, but kind of a we're looking for that. What's that word? Like a either make either you do this or I'll do this, or something like that. I forget what the word is, but it was something like that at the end and she chose to go the other way and I'm just thinking, oh my goodness, what is I have to? This is I need to go. I need to go, and so I need, like I need to remove myself from this whole scene. I need a break. So I left, ended up going to the beach.

Speaker 1:

At the time we rented a beach house there. At the time we rented a beach house there, my family rented a beach house there, and so I went to the beach and was just so frustrated and angry at myself for how much I screwed everything up and maybe she's not really my wife and maybe this whole thing really is. You see, what happened to us now? All of that temptation, all of that disbelief, all of that, everything I had let it come in and now it's just cascading and ravaging and trying to take over and I'm doubting myself and I'm just so. I'm incredibly sad at the same time, because I'm starting to believe the thought of maybe she's not actually my wife, maybe the Lord and I was at the beach for two days and then I get a random call from a really good friend, a pastor in Asheville, and it was Mr Fine, and Mr Fine called me and he's like I'm going to be in town. Oh, okay, this is what happened before this.

Speaker 1:

So at that two days I was crying to the Lord. I was like Father, I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do. I've messed everything up. I am sorry for doubting you, but I don't know how to fix this. Can you please send me someone or just tell me what I need to do, because I can't. I don't know. It was something like that.

Speaker 1:

And then the next day I get a call from Mr Fine saying that he's in town and he feels like oh no, he's in town on a work thing and he would love to hang out with me for a couple days. Do you mind if I come over and we can hang out? And it was like the answer to prayer. That's another good thing for timing guys. The Lord does show up. And so Mr Fine came over and I was mentally I was thinking this is it? He has the message that the Lord wants to tell me. Does he even know what's even going on? And so we cooked out. It was great, we had some salmon and everything.

Speaker 1:

We went out on the beach and I just I told him everything Of everything that had happened and he said something like it's going to be okay. I felt like the Lord told me to call you to see if you were in town, because I had told nobody that I was there, that I was there, and I wish I could remember exactly what he said to me, but I can't. I don't know exactly what he said to me, but he said exactly what I needed to hear and it was something like something to the equivalent of you got this. You are mighty. To the equivalent of you got this. You are mighty and you are strong, you are a warrior and you can go and conquer this, you can go after her, you can run after her and um, yeah, and that completely changed it and I left with revival, just completely renewed, and it was a complete reset and it was the lord's promises are true and they are going and they will be fulfilled.

Speaker 1:

And I went after her and as soon as I got back obviously things didn't, but things didn't obviously get all cherry rainbows but I got back, I messaged her, I apologized and apologized for whatever happened there on the shore and it's like don't want to get married. I think it was something like even if you don't want to marry me, I will still always be your friend and love you, still Something like that. And we became friends again, we got all made up and then on in August, at some point August at some point, in a field with yellow flowers, almost like yellow daisies, we made it official and she was officially, we were officially dating. And boom, six months later, boom, six months later, not six months in December, I asked her to marry me and she said yes, and we got married four months later. And that is a whole big, a whole other journey in itself and that's how it all started, and so that are some of the best examples of waiting and listening in God's timing. So, whatever you might be going through, or whatever God has promised, you, keep waiting, waiting on Him, wait on the Lord, and that's it, guys. So thank you for listening and I hope this was great. Okay, see ya, bye.

Speaker 1:

One last thing what you're about to hear is an audio recording that I made during that period of time where I was making Sarah Jane's website, in which the temptation was so strong to disbelieve the Lord's promise to me that, out of defiance, I made a recording stating that I would marry her. And this is the recording. Hello, sarah Jane, this is Eric. I mean, obviously, I know you know that this recording is in July of 2016. And I decided to make a.

Speaker 1:

I decided to make these because or all of these future recordings because not only as a proof to how good God is and how he keeps his promises and how prophecies are true and they will be fulfilled, but also just so I can tell you how much you do mean to me and how I wish that we could have, or I could have, started this whole thing a lot sooner, to be with you longer. But yeah, and the other reason is because I have no idea how long I will be here. Long I will be here, so you know. So I want to take every moment, every opportunity that I have, even if you're not necessarily here, to tell you how much I love you and how much you mean to me.

People on this episode

Contributor

Eric Griffin

Host