Their story inspired singles to “pursue a relationship courageously and prayerfully”
by Juleen Shaw // December 6, 2024, 8:05 pm
“We hope that our story encourages people to pursue Him first, and to not shy away from this beautiful gift of marriage,” says Audris Quek.
Audris Quek never really dated.
Her grandmother had often told her that if she could be happy single, “that was enough”.
A front-row seat to some marriages and friends’ relationships had also given her a “deep rooted fear of being cheated on”. So her life motto was: I don’t need a man.
Being in a relationship was the furthest thing from Joshua Tan’s mind. He had turned his life around. But the echoes of past mistakes and missteps still reverberated in his soul.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR COPY OF Salt&Light: Inspirational Stories of Faith in Love
Yet within a year of meeting each other, Joshua had proposed to Audris and she had said “yes”. By the next year, in October 2022, they were married.
Theirs was no ordinary love story but a romance divinely appointed.
“We hope that our story encourages people to pursue Him first, and to not shy away from this beautiful gift of marriage,” says Audris, now 29 and a mother. “God uses marriage to reflect His love.”
Joshua and Audris’ remarkable love story is featured in newly released book, Salt&Light: Inspirational Stories of Faith in Love, available for pre-order now.
We asked Joshua and Audris to give readers a peek behind the scenes since their story first ran on Salt&Light in 2023.
What surprised you when you saw your story mapped out in Salt&Light? What did you learn about God and how he views marriage?
When we read our story on Salt&Light, we marvelled at how God had brought us together in ways only He can! Reading from a third person’s point of view, it helped us recognise how accelerated the journey had been and how faithful God has been to give us a spouse that we needed.
God knows exactly what His children need, and He has the perfect way to get us there when we trust in Him.
Marriage is a gift and an opportunity to be refined in love and deed. God uses marriage to reflect His love and we desire to live as a couple that brings Him glory.
Why do you think your divine love story resonated with readers and what do you want to tell them about God?
We’ve had acquaintances share with us that our story gave them faith to believe that God is preparing someone for them as they set their focus on pursuing Him. It was an encouragement to single people.
There were some friends who also said it inspired them to pursue a relationship courageously and prayerfully. Not to focus so much on the possibility of rejection but to trust in the Lord’s leading.
God knows exactly what His children need, and He has the perfect way to get us there when we trust in Him.
We hope that our story encourages people to pursue Him first, and not to shy away from this beautiful gift of marriage.
Finally, we hope it encourages people to be open to being “matchmade”. Because, in some cases like ours, God used it!
Are there any updates on your marriage and family?
After being married for five months and starting our lives as a married couple in Perth, we found out that I was pregnant with our first child! The next season of our marriage was spent building a new ministry that brought us to Australia and preparing for the baby’s arrival.
We delivered our child in Singapore and stayed for two months before flying back to Perth. Now, our baby is one! Looking back, it is only by God’s grace we pulled through the first year of parenthood in a foreign land without help.
There were many sleepless nights, heated arguments and cries for help. At the same time, we have felt our hearts expand since becoming parents.
It is a beautiful thing to have a glimpse into the Father’s heart through parenthood!
Just released! Salt&Light: Inspirational Stories of Faith in Love
Salt&Light: Inspirational Stories of Faith in Love launches December 10, 2024. Now available for pre-order here.
Please note that only orders made by December 10 will be delivered by Christmas.
Salt&Light: Inspirational Stories of Faith in Love focuses on God’s heart for us in marriage, relationships and singlehood.
Draw inspiration so that you, too, may experience life-giving faith in your relationships, even through times of testing.
To purchase a copy or bless someone with one, or simply to support the work of Salt&Light, please click here. $15/copy just for this launch (usual price $20).
To purchase our other books, Salt&Light: Inspirational Stories of Faith at Work and Salt&Light: Inspirational Stories of Faith in Families, click here.
If you have any queries or for bulk purchases of more than 10 books, please email [email protected]
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