Marriage Monday and Miracle Monday

You know when I found this topic , Is Divorce Ever Right?, had the most votes I was not very excited. I did not vote for this topic and do not have much input on it really. All I have to offer is my story.

I found Miracle Monday also so I am posting for this as well. This story is evidence of God's miracle in our life. For more Miracle Monday go here.

In the very beginning of marriage, even on the wedding day, I had thoughts of getting out. When the pressure became too much for me I was determined to search and find the escape clause. I knew their had to be one so that just in case I could run away. Running is something that had become a pattern for me. When things would get tough I would just run from them. Marriage was not going to be any exception to this rule.

There was a friend, my best friend of all time, in school. He was so great to hang out with. He was a "buddy." But on my wedding day he did not show up. It crushed my spirits deeply. The pain ran so completely deep. Well, like any crazy love story, I find out that he had feelings for me. Instead of running from this, I decided to use it to my advantage. You see my husband was very possessive at the time and did not meet my emotional needs. On the other hand I knew my friend would. It was no problem for me really. There was no physical relationship I reasoned. But he did have part of my heart.

Jesus said that if a man looks at a woman lustfully in his heart he has committed adultery. So shouldn't it be the same if a woman gives her heart away to another man. That is emotional adultery. So if adultery is a reason that one can get divorce it seems that what I did was the same thing. I committed adultery of the heart. But wait, it was me who was the guilty party. So I was the one in the wrong. My life was all about me. I did not want it to be my fault.

God used this unfortunate situation to wake me up. The escape clause I was looking for was not suppose to be for my husband. I was a sinner. I was the one in the wrong. That devastated me. At this time my husband was not a believer and I was suppose to be. If he walked away it would have been fine(Biblically) but he agreed to work it out. I confessed and we moved forward. It would be a few years later that God really grabbed hold of my heart to abandon all to Him. My husband took note of the change in me and knew he wanted to be different too. He then accepted Christ. A true miracle indeed.

To see what others are saying go to Marriage Monday.

The Job Series

Hey all, the next devotional on Job is up on our ministry page here.
If you missed the first two you can still get them on the home page under devotions and past devotions. If you would like to sign up to get them automatically mailed to you weekly you can do that too by signing up by clicking the button on the left hand side that states, Subscribe to RMS.

Hope you all enjoy!

PAUSE

Hey all. I just have to tell you that during a massive super jump off my front step on a race to empty the van of a rather large load of groceries, I went down hard. My ankle made an unnatural turn and then we heard a snap. I hit the pavement extra hard. One of those crazy things! Anyway, it is not broken but badly sprained. I cannot walk on my foot yet though and am in an air cast. I have to use some crutches for now. I am hoping it will not be for too many days. So, I am looking at this period as a pause. Sometimes these things give us the rest that we need. I will be using my time to write and study. It is a blessing in that way. Funny how things that the evil one wants to use to discourage us God uses for good. So, I am asking that you please lift a prayer for our family. My hubbie seriously meant his vows "in sickness and health." I am thankful for him.

Thoughts on Friendships

Alright blog friends I MUST tell you about a theme in my life that God is speaking. It is so interesting to me. God is really speaking to me about evaluating my friendships. Does that sound crazy or what? Well, even if it sounds crazy it is what God is asking me to do. There are different friends for different seasons and reasons. As women I think it is hard for us to let go because of the emotional attachments we hold to. However it is necessary in order to have healthy relationships. We need to pray these through. We need to have "God-friends." The ones He puts into our lives. This theme has been going on for months now and has been part of the "God healing my hurts" process. Of course some things can only be between me and God so the specifics of it all I cannot disclose but the theme went like this:

12 week Bible study, "Friendships of Women."
6 week Bible study, "A Trusted Friend."
During this whole time (and much earlier yet I denied it) I have been dealing with relationship strife in certain areas. God finally opened my eyes to some really interesting things therefore calling me to evaluate my friendships. There are some new places He needs to move me and there are just the right God-appointed people He has in store to go there with me. Some cannot go there with me and that is okay.
So then, Beth Moore talks about it a few times through her "Stepping Up" videos.
I hear Dr. James Merritt Sunday Morning talking about it and even referring to Judas as a friend of Jesus. Referring to the fact that none of the disciples even knew that the betrayer was Judas. That truth was illuminating, especially when figuring out how to treat those kind of people in our lives. Really praying this through the past few days, now I am fed with the wisdom from my pastor's blog who I wrote about earlier here. Confirming another reason why it is so important to pray for them. They are God's vessels and God uses them to speak things or confirm things like this to us. His blog is worth the read on friendship here.

Anyway, God is speaking a CLEAR theme and it is nothing but a great joy to me. I can only shout "Glory."
So for those of you who made it through this post, may God bless you-It is something that I personally do not want to forget so it was really written more as a Ebenezer stone for me! Not sure if it will mean so much for anyone else but if you get something out of it too then it is a double GLORY! :)
And you know what, God has given me some unexpected blessings and friendships through you all in blogville too. We may never meet in person but we are getting to really know each other and cheer one another on on this journey. I hurt when you hurt and rejoice when you rejoice. Isn't that what friendship is anyway?

Live Well Wednesday

Okay here is the skinny on my week! Get it, the skinny! HA! Okay anyway, I lost another two inches! That is great. I unfortunately have not been to the gym since being back from my trip through. My friend I get to get in with was sick the first week and I did okay at home working some but now this week I really have done nothing because our schedules have not worked out and I have been bone tired! But still results. Probably because I am still really watching what I eat. That does make a difference. I am going Saturday to workout through again and will weigh in then. I am looking forward to working out again!

My time with the Lord has been GREAT! He is teaching me so much. I have shared a bit about being deeply wounded by things and people. God has been showing me where this stuff is coming from and cleansing my heart. It has been the most painful yet liberating experience. I am learning so much.

Hope you all did well, I will be checking in with you all later today! To track others click on the pear above.

Tiny Talk Tuesday-The Little Engine That Could

One of my favorite stories came in the mail the other day. It is a classic called, "The Little Engine that Could." So, we all sat excited while I broke open the plastic and then heard the crisp sound that you hear when you open up a brand new book. It was glorious! So, I started to read with great animation and all. My littlest started to get annoyed and distracted. As animated as I got it still seemed to make no difference. Finally she said, "This story is BORING." I said, "Why?" She responded, "All you have is a train, then another train, and another train. IT IS BORING." I told her she needed to wait for the great ending so she reluctantly complied. After the story was finished I asked them what their favorite parts were to which she replied "the end when the children get their toys! The other parts were too boring!"

Now my oldest and I enjoyed the suspense of wondering if this next train will help them? Why did they not help? Who would come to help? But apparently this is too much for a slightly ADHD mind. She just wants the short sweet facts. Interesting I tell you and something I will need to get used to. Maybe she will grow out of it. :)

To see what others are saying go here.

Thanks Kelli!

It is a great blessing to receive this award from Kelli. I just love her heart and her blog. She definitely blogs with a purpose! If you have not checked her out yet please do so.

I am passing this on to some blog blessings to me.

Susan is such a blessing and writes with a way to direct the reader to God. I just enjoy reading her perspective.

Sanya is such a blessing to me because I was able to meet her at the She Speaks conference,
She has such a great heart for the Lord and her blog writings reflect that. Go check her blog out.

Lauren is another blessing. I just love her depth and insight into the word of God.

Kara is a real life friend who I actually get to hand out with from time to time. She is the real deal and her blog is definitely one with the purpose of bringing glory to God.

Amy is a real life friend too. Although she does live far from me I have gotten to meet her in person. She is such a great blessing and is newer to blogging. You will love her too.