Johnny, I've come to know you through my husband Robert. You have been his main guitarist for all of his album releases over the years. Now, out of all my interviews so far, you are going to be the first man to tell me how you met your wife.....no pressure..lol.
SRW: So tell me Johnny, how long have you been married to your bride?
Johnny: 4.5 years
SRW: Where did you meet Elaina?
Johnny: On a blind date setup from friends.
SRW: Who first spoke to whom?
Johnny: I spoke with Elaina on the phone after setup.
SRW: Was it love at first sight?
Johnny: Absolutely!
SRW: When did you know that she was the One? Were you looking for a wife at the
time?
Johnny: I knew immediately she was the one. I was discouraged
with Christian dating and women at the time and gave up on dating to focus
on ministry vision for my life. Meeting my wife was a total revelation!
SRW: What stood out most about Elaina from the start?
Johnny: Her feminine beauty, grace and kindness. She struck me as the kindest woman I ever
have met.
SRW: Was there a time during your courtship that you or Elaina felt like ending
it?
Johnny: There were times I wanted to take a break as I was
quite independent (being 11 years older) and Elaina wanted to get married
quickly. We both knew we were husband and wife but did not agree on the
timing of marriage. We also had some trials in work, schedule, family and
long distance relationship stuff for a year as well as the age difference,
while she was finishing her degree. I was challenged by the Lord to open up
more and let her into my life with those challenges. I move very slow
with relationships and she was 200 Mph. LOL. It was a testing time for both
of us!
SRW: What kept you going?
Johnny: God's calling to prepare for marriage.
The more God made me wait, the more I realized marriage is not simply a
reward for me to be ambitious for - but a calling to prepare for in God.
This kept me on track to prepare for something that will last my whole life
and lay a great foundation. Even though waiting in singleness is hard at
times, it is worth waiting for.
SRW: What was the last movie you went out to see together?
Johnny: Limitless.
SRW: Who's most likely to fall asleep first during a movie?
Johnny: E! LOL.
SRW: Was marriage all that it was cracked up to be?
Johnny: Absolutely!
I would never trade my relationship with Elaina. Even with it's ups and
downs, there is nothing that can compare with the calling of marriage. God
fills our covenant and our children are directly benefiting as well as
family and friends around us. Also, there is no other person for me in the
entire world like my wife. I am glad I did things God's way and trust Him
for his best - which was not easy. God has also blessed us with his presence
and wisdom about marriage and continue to learn. I am in marriage "school"
for my entire life and it is not easy but incredibly rewarding. When you see
the goal of making someone else successful above yourself, it makes a lot of
sense and works. I continue to be amazed!
SRW: Any advice or wisdom for single men/woman or both?
Johnny: If you feel God has called you to be married at some time -
Prepare for your calling. Do not seek to solve the problem of being single.
Trust your desires to God and prepare for what he has for you like a
ministry. Let your heavenly Father satisfy what you want and not you
focusing so much on "The list". Do not shop for a husband/wife or try to
make someone fit your ideal. God is real and knows what you want. Period.
Whatever is consecrated for the Lord is blessed and taken care of by Him. If
your desire to be fulfilled in marriage cannot wait, it may be an idol in
your life. An idol brings with it deception in denying the living God. Do
not make an idol out of anyone - trust him to make it all happen in his time
and in the meantime serve God with your whole life. He is faithful to
satisfy all your desires trusted to him.
SRW: Well said Johnny....thanks for sharing your wisdom with my readers.
Johnny and Elaina are members of the Facebook group Love and Marriage. If you are engaged or married and would like to be apart of this online community where information is shared to Inspire, Encourage and Help you build a God-honouring and happy marriage, JUST ASK TO JOIN.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/173893812633957/