My Wifespiration: Deleon Sheffield

via www.deleonmusic.com

I have not always been a good girl. In fact I had always been on the fence with matching my life choices to my faith. When I was in my “rebellious” time there was always a something that would make me remember the promise that God had on my life: DeLeon. Who is DeLeon? She is a gospel singer and the wife of Gary Sheffield, a baseball player. Many people know her because of a controversy regarding a past relationship she had with a r&b singer, but I know her for a different reason.

Years ago I was trolling the mall looking for an outfit for the club.

Don’t laugh…you know what I’m talking about.

While looking for a “come hither” dress I passed a Jesus Bookstore. I started to pass by, but decided to just look around for a few minutes. Besides, I had been feeling slightly convicted lately and thought,

I really need to get it together.

So I walked in and made my way to the music section. As I quickly picked up CD’s and evaluated whether their cover was worth a listen I stumbled upon one with a beautiful woman with ripped up jeans and a tank top.

This is interesting…

I took out the CD and put it in the little preview boombox thing, put on the head phones, and dropped my jaw. What I heard out of the CD was like nothing I had heard before. The voice was beautiful, powerful and amazing. It struck so many cords (no pun intended) and I had no idea why. After sitting there for an hour just listening I finally bought it and headed home to look up the singer. That was when I read about DeLeon and her courtship to Gary. My goodness it was a beautiful story.

Basically Gary had been praying for a wife while at an NBA All-Star game and was sick of the loose women he saw around him. He prayed right then for God to bring him his wife. Within the hour DeLeon walked in with a mutual friend. The two of them began talking about any and everything and especially the Lord. Gary was amazed at her convictions and love for Christ. He told her that night that God had answered his prayer and that she was his wife. They were engaged six months later and married six months after their engagement.

They kept themselves pure their entire dating relationship. Even to the point of her mother chaperoning their vacations.

I am talking about adult celebrities having a chaperone!

I knew right then and there after reading her story that this would be mine. Not in the same way, but I knew my courtship would be supernatural just like hers was.

Both she and Gary are very open about the mistakes they made in their past. They we’re not perfect people, but my goodness they are incredible example of how got can take an surrendered vessel and change their destiny with a simple act of obedience. DeLeon is truly an inspiring woman, wife, and mother (of 3 boys). Her beauty and talent are just part of the story. Her amazingly humble attitude and heart for God have been an inspiration to me for so many years.

Through my not so perfect up’s and down’s through the years God would always lead me back to her CD. It was really the starting point of where I am today in my marriage. She made me want more than just a relationship. She made me want THE relationship from God. I owe alot to her and though she may never know it her obedience and love for Christ sparked a fire that is still lit today. Thank You DeLeon.

Who is your inspiration?

You can listen to some of her music at www.deleonmusic.com.