Surrender

Yet, I was tired, exhausted and tired of fighting. And I yielded my romance/love life (HA HA!!!) to the Lord.

Finally, on Christmas, I was planning my lil vacation to Florida and see some of my friends and swing down to Disney World. But, the Lord led me to go to New Orleans (just an hour away) to see a friend in med school (Cornell) and then go to Greenville. And I was obedient.

After my trip to New Orleans, I made the trek to go to Greenville and see Mable's pastor, the Rev. Earnest Haywood. He was one of the most anointed men I had met. When he first met me, and I told him, as well as Mable, we were meant to be husband and wife, he concurred. He was convinced I was the one for her.

I stopped in Natchez, Miss. to see my best friend, the Rev. Bennie Wade, and spend the night with him before heading out early Sunday morning. He encouraged me not to think about Mable ... just enjoy my fellowship with Haywood. And yet this was the same dude, who, along with Haywood, had told me they felt Mable was ready to be my wife. Oh yeah ... both Haywood and Bennie had told me before my trip to C.R. to prepare and have a plan if Mable was ready to get hitched. I laughed, but heeded wise counsel and obeyed.

When sunlight hit, I was on the road. I made it right before morning service and I greeted Haywood. We walked to his study, talking about life in general, my trip to Costa Rica, my ministry.

Then, he looked at me and said 'So, have you talked to Mable?'

I confessed to him we hadn't been on the best of terms, but he wasn't faded. So, we went back to the sanctuary and started service.

After service, I did indeed see Mable and I walked up to her and mustered every muscle in my body to shake her hand and not hug her. And she smiled ... Good sign, I guess.

She told me she had someone she wanted me to meet. I looked around and saw who she was talking about.

The woman, Prophetess Joann Mason, was dressed in purple and had some gold (bling) in her mouth. I didn't say much ... I just waited for her to finish talking to a member. I had never seen her before, for sure.

When she was free, Mable and I walked forward and Mable told Prophetess about me. Except ... Prophetess cut her off.

Prophetess looked at me and grinned ... all I see is bling.

"Mable, I know exactly who this is ... I have never met you ... I don't know where you are from exactly ... I don't know you, but I know who you are ..."

I look at her and ask myself what kind of trees she's been puffing.

Then, she looks at Mable and back at me.

"Mable, this is your HUSBAND."

[Please buckle your seat belts ... we are losing major cabin pressure.]

I couldn't believe it ... I literally cried ... I looked over at the normally unresponsive Mable Denise. I was expecting her to be pouting ... but she was laughing ... and nodding at me.

My heart stopped again ... I couldn't believe what and how it was going down ... was I dreaming?!

Prophetess looked at me again. "Recently, you prayed and asked the Lord if your weight, your health and your finances were the reasons you weren't married. None of them. You weren't the problem. She is."

My heart flutters - I am about to pass out ... and Mable is nodding.

I look at Mable ... she wraps her arms around me and just says 'I love you.'

All Prophetess can do is just grin, her bling blinding me.

As I stagger out to my Jeep, I look skyward and say 'Thank you, LORD.'

That was December 30th, 2001. Later on that evening, we attended her grandparents wedding anniversary - 67 years - and Mable's family from all over the U.S. was asking us how long we had been married. I laughed ... I couldn't believe we were back together. And this time, Mable said she was listening to the Lord and her heart. But it didn't matter ... most of her family realized I was for real and they welcomed me with open arms.

Then, after trying to set a date, we asked the Lord when did He want us married. The Spirit put May 4th on my heart. I was cool with it ... He did a miracle in touching Mable's heart to fall back in love with me ... so I told him 'Lord, it's April 9th ... it's only 3 weeks to go before May 4th. You are gonna have to provide everything because we are BROKE.' Within weeks, we planned a small, cozy wedding and everything feel into place. In 3 weeks. The Lord had indeed provided.

On Saturday, May 4th, 2002, the prophecy was fulfilled. I watched in awe as Mable Denise Jackson walked down the aisle as a beautiful, single woman ... and walked out of the church as Mrs. Willie Jefferson Jr.. <--- Click 'Jr.' to continue.