[Deborah Dulworth] It’s THE Guy!

By Deborah Dulworth

I lost my dear husband of forty-four years on Christmas day 2016 to pancreatic cancer. He was my closest friend, my problem solver, and, of course, my sweetheart. Ray and I enjoyed many things together. On the top of the list was attending gospel sings where our daughter, Christy performed with her group. This led to following other singers who have become special friends.

The way I found my prince charming was a living fairy tale. Let me share the story with you.

After graduating from high school, getting a job, and living alone for a while, my single girlfriends and I decided it was time to go guy-hunting. The four of us put our scattered brains together and came up with what we thought was a clever, strategic plan.

Every church revival, dinner, and prayer meeting within a 100 mile radius was well within our target. We’d pinched our cheeks, sucked in our guts, and tried to appear nonchalant, as we took part in each event. Thus began the search of four Mr. Rights.

After a time of prayer and weeping, there was still no reaping. I had no idea of what kind of
person I was looking for or what I really needed. Man hunt done. I resolved to give up the search and asked the Lord to bring the right man to my very front door – a patient man who could put up with me for the duration.
When I shared with the girls that I surrendered this problem to the Lord, they agreed with half-hearted smiles and saddened faces. It had been a fun but fruitless venture, however only God knew what was in my future.

A few months later my friends and I decided to start a Bible study at my house. We announced it at our church and talked to neighbors. Two elderly attendees from a neighboring church mentioned it during their worship service as well.

Meetings passed and our little crowd grew to about ten people ranging in age from twelve to, I’m guessing around eighty years old. One evening people were settling in for the Bible study, I heard a quiet knock on my front door. When I answered it, there stood a nice-looking, man who wanted to join the group.

I immediately knew the Lord had answered my prayer. I invited h
im in and saw that he was seated. To this day, I can still feel my heart nearly bursting with excitement. With as much self-control as I could muster, I galloped to the kitchen, and half-whispered, half-squealed, “It’s the guy! It’s the guy!”

He was the guy the Lord had chosen for me. Whenever we clashed or had a disagreement, I still knew, the Lord sent him to my very front door at the right place and the right time.

When Ray left this earth, I lost my sweetheart. But the Lord reminded me that He had specifically chosen Ray to love me through him. For this I am so thankful. What a precious forty-four years.

Deb Dulworth is half of the writing team of Dulsworth and Hanna (Linda).

Linda Hanna

Their first novel, Reflections of a Stranger, was a cozy mystery published by Harbourlight Books in 2012.
As freelance writers, they have jointly and individually written magazine articles and devotionals. Debbie and Linda love to share an uplifting message of faith, family, and love within the framework of lighthearted novels. In addition to entertaining through these stories, they hope to inspire and encourage readers on their own spiritual journey.

Deborah Dulworth

Linda and Debbie are well-known for their humor, word play, and unpredictable plot twists. The two always find themselves writing poems, songs, and stories with a funny plotline and quirky characters. For seventeen years the ladies were co-directors for a high-spirited senior adult ministry within their church denomination. This venture presented many entertaining examples of said quirky characters.

They’ve led many workshops, spoken at woman’s retreats, teas, sororities, various church functions, and book signings. They have been members of ACFW critique groups for years and are active in a local writing group.

Though the past several years have taken some unexpected twists and turns, Debbie and Linda cling unswerving to their faith – and God continues to prove Himself worthy as He works in their live