A Lova' Like No Otha' by Stephanie Perry Moore Page A

perfect wedding. A job. A mother who understood me. Chase's presence in my life. A home of my own. But the two short sentences on the page before me assured me that if Christ was truly my shepherd, I didn't have to want for anything. He would supply all of my needs. I realized then that God would not give me everything I wanted because sometimes what I wanted wasn't what was best for me. Like Devyn—God knew all along that Devyn wasn't the man I needed, even though I couldn't see that for myself because I was so blinded by what I thought was love.
    I read the Scripture again, claiming the verse for myself. “‘The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.’”
    That was all I needed.
    I placed the open Bible back on the coffee table, then slipped off the couch and got to my knees. “Father,” I said, “I've been going back and forth over what to do with my life. I still don't have the answers, but I know You do. You know exactly where I'm going and where You want to take me. I now release custody of my life to You. Please do whatever You know is best for me. Thank you for assuring me that I can trust You and not worry. You're not like me, changing from one day to the next. One minute to the next, really. But You are a constant God who loves and cares for me, no matter what. I need Your love right now.”
    Tears began to build up behind my closed eyelids as I realized how wretched I was. I felt so unworthy. Why should God love me? “Lord, I feel so empty. I'm so weary and weak. I need You.” As a salty teardrop slid down my cheek, I sensed the Lord wrapping me in His arms, whispering words of love and assurance in my ear. I felt His presence more tangibly than anything I'd ever experienced in my life. “Thank you, Lord,” I said, repeating the phrase over and over.
    I climbed back onto the couch and lay down. I closed my eyes. I wanted to rest—for just a few minutes—before I decided what to do with the rest of the evening. But once I closed my eyes, I fell into a deep slumber. And, for the first time in a week, I enjoyed a peaceful night's sleep.
    When I awakened, the sun was already shining brightly through the window and I smiled, stretching and feeling totally rested. I went into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. There was plenty of grub. I guess Chase was looking out for me when he filled up the fridge. Even though I eyed the eggs, bacon and sausages, I didn't feel like spending time over the stove. So I loaded a plate with cookless munchies: some sweet cut cantaloupe, two glazed chocolate doughnuts and a piece of bologna. Then I curled up on the couch with the remote and flipped through the channels, cruising from one talk show to the next. I watched all the soap operas I could find.
    That became my routine for the next several days. I lounged around the apartment, enjoying the luxury of having nothing to do and no one to answer to. Although I was enjoying the mindless days, I kept thinking about Chase and wishing that he would call. I knew he was busy getting settled not only with the team but with Seattle in general. Yet I just couldn't wait to hear his voice again.
    Almost a week after Chase left, the phone rang in the middle of one of my talk shows and I jumped, startled at first. The telephone hadn't rung since he'd been gone. But I knew it was Chase. It had to be. No one else knew I was here.
    “Hey, guy!” I said, my voice revealing my enthusiasm.
    “Oh, so you expectin' my man to call you, huh?” I didn't catch the voice at first, but when I realized it was Aisha, I was so surprised that I remained silent. “Well, let me 'splain somethin' to ya, Little Miss Thang. That is not the way it's gonna be. What part of ‘I don't wanna marry you no more 'cause I got somebody else’ do you not understand?”
    “I don't know what you're talking about,” I said. “But I don't need you callin' me with this drama.” I slammed the phone down.
    She had some nerve! Thinking I still wanted Devyn after