A Resurrected Marriage Story 7: Us

A Resurrected Marriage Story Day 7: Us

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:18-19, ESV)

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)

On a cold, sunny February afternoon, surrounded by our closest family members, my husband and I made a new commitment to one another. Honestly, this day was such a gift from our faithful and loving Father. So many marriage stories don’t end this way, and we fully know and understand how blessed we were to celebrate our love that day. We weren’t magically healed from the previous two years of deep emotional pain, but we knew God would continue to help us on the journey to our healing. He’s faithful, and He has proven it to us even in our own love story.

We had work to do in our relationship and in our family, but we were committed to doing it. We had the help of a counselor to sort out the issues we would face as we began over again. I encourage any of you facing personal, heavy burdens to find the counsel of a godly friend or professional counselor. It’s healthy and freeing to share your thoughts and receive guidance and help. Don’t be afraid to open up and be vulnerable with someone.

Our story, though painful, has opened doors that wouldn’t have been possible without first going through the heartache resulting from adultery. We have had opportunity to speak to people who confided in us because we were willing to share our story. God opened doors for me to publish a book chronicling the journey a betrayed Christian spouse may experience. From there, a website opportunity came along for my blog to be shared and read by any seeking help through their own marital trauma. And now, God has opened doors for Vine to Branches, allowing us to not only share our story but to offer many devotional topics by various writers so that we may each learn more about our Lord and His Word. 

This whole journey rose from the ashes of sin and pain. Only God, our gracious Redeemer, can turn a story around like that. Sometimes, God allows us to experience painful things, but He always has a purpose in what we experience, and He plans to use it in some way. There are times when we aren’t willing or able to let Him work in the middle of our trials. We become angry, jaded and bitter, and turn away from Him instead of running to Him. But when we run from Him, we won’t find peace or joy. If we are ever to find peace and purpose, we must first surrender.

My prayer as I write this is that our story will continue to reach others who may be in the middle of their own storm. I pray you’ll find hope—the hope that comes from our Father. I pray our story will call people to show grace and compassion to those who fall, and have a willingness to reach out and be a friend to the broken. I am forever grateful for those who stepped in and were a help to all four of us—people who loved us, prayed for us, said difficult things when necessary, and encouraged us. Never doubt that your faithfulness to the whispers of the Spirit can change lives, because I know it happens—it happened for me!

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