As Christian women, we strive to please God in every area of our lives. Sometimes though, especially with relationships, we find it difficult to distinguish the good from the bad.
This can lead to heartache, pain, and sometimes, even worse choices. So, it’s a good idea to listen for God’s voice…establish His approval, if you will, when it comes to choosing a mate.
In our “When God Said Yes” series, Author and BMWK Writer Nikki Carpenter introduces three phenomenal women who paid attention to God’s voice and the life changing results that followed.
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Ashley Tokumboh Brown is a marriage advocate, relationship consultant, and pioneer within the relationship community. On her YouTube channel “Ashley Empowers”, Ashley and her husband Carrington Brown aka “The Fit Pastor” have reached over 1 million views with their “Dating With a Purpose” series. I had a chance to chat with Ashley about her “When God Said Yes Love Story”.
BMWK: What were you doing before you met your husband?
Ashley: Long before I knew I was getting married, I was being prepared.
Spending time with God and studying his word ultimately prepared me to be in a relationship that glorified him. I was consistent with my relationship with him. Not to get a husband, but to really know him and walk in my purpose.
I started “doing me” and I intentionally started to enjoy my single season. I went on mission trips, traveled the world, started my own business, went to graduate school and developed friendships with women who were like-minded.
BMWK: How was your love life prior to him?
Ashley: Prior to getting married, my relationships were dysfunctional.
When I was single, I didn’t know how to be single. My worth was completely wrapped up in dating and having a man or getting a man to fill a void that grew deeper and deeper after every failed relationship.
After many failed relationships, I made a decision to start, “Dating With Purpose” and seek God’s wisdom prior to getting in another relationship.
I was determined to not waste any more time.
I made a decision that my next “boyfriend” would be my husband.
BMWK: How did you and Carrington meet? Tell me your love story.
Ashley: Carrington & I met online in 2013…shout out to Instagram!
It is so interesting because we went to the same university, never knew each other, never spoke and fell in love 3 years later. It’s like God was keeping us hidden from each other until HIS perfect time.
We started dating, transitioned to courting, and we were engaged 9 months after we met. We got married August 2, 2014, and we have been on mission to share the sweet & simple truth that the best relationship one will ever have is the one they have with God.
BMWK: What is your advice for single women who desire to be married?
Ashley: Be Thirsty for Jesus. Sometimes people can get so anxious to be in a relationship, they can come off as desperate.
Quench your thirst at God’s fountain.
A man will never completely satisfy your hearts desires. Having a relationship with God produces satisfaction beyond anything words can describe. Jesus said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’” (John 7:37-38).
BMWK: Why is it important for women to wait for their “When God Said Yes” moment?
Ashley: Such a great question, I truly believe that if women wait on God’s best it has the ability to save them from so much unnecessary drama.
When we truly trust God and believe that he has our best interest at hand we can enjoy our singleness, confidently knowing God has something amazing in store.
For more information about Ashley Empowers, click here.
“When God Said Yes” is Nikki’s first book discussing a woman’s journey from rejection to total trust in God’s timing for love. Available, August 29th, click here for more information.
BMWK, How did you know that God said yes?