And Suddenly....

Many evenings, lately, we have been talking about stories from our past--some days one of us is just NOT up to it, so please do not be offended or hurt by your spouse not wanting to discuss the past or bring up the hurts they have caused. You will know in your heart if the reason for not discussing is because they are hiding or if maybe it really is just too much to bare at the moment.  Please, be sensitive. Stay in tune with the Holy Spirit and ask Him if you should be keeping a quiet heart. 

Because of questions brought up by our readers we are always having to evaluate our story and see if there was something we recalled or just had not shared. 

The night before Josh came home I remember a girl being very bold and asking me if I was seeing any kind of change in Josh--a change that would indicate he was coming home.  What a day to ask me THAT question!  That was a horribly emotional day for me, but it was a Wednesday.  I had just come from church and spent time in God's presence--so I was definitely standing firm for my marriage, without a doubt I was resolved.  AND God sending people to question my resolve was really just an opportunity for me to proclaim that I served the God of the impossible. 

Right before I got to church I had seen the other woman's car at Albertson's  grocery store.  I had no idea that I was really only 24 hours away from having my husband home for good.  Do we ever know when God's promises are going to be fulfilled in our lives?  When our fourth child was born, during Josh's absence, everything I did I tried to make a reflection of what was to come--not of the present situation--this was the reason Josh was in the delivery room for Levi's birth. I never wanted Levi to look back at pictures and not see his Daddy in them.  Levi's name was also significant.  His middle name is Joseph.  Joseph was thrown in prison; he KNEW what God had promised.....he knew not the time, place, or plan in HOW he would receive them.  He just KNEW that God had promised--and he clung to it. (even in prison)  In fact, he even had GLIMPSES of hope that things would turn around.  Imagine his excitement when he was able to share his story with the cup bearer--this is my chance.  I am getting out of here!!!  He was ultimately forgotten for God's perfect timing.  Can you imagine his disappointment?  I am sure he had to have had moments of discouragement, but he never doubted God's plan.  Naming our son Joseph was going to be a continual reminder that God's promises are ALWAYS going to be fulfilled, but we may not KNOW the time we are going to receive them.  Joseph had NO idea when he was weeks, days, hours, minutes, or even SECONDS from his release.  BUT GOD KNEW!!!

God works in the prodigal's heart...and his return home; do you want your spouse to come home too soon?  If the process of standing were easy then wouldn't it be just as easy to walk back out of your life again?  When you put great effort, prayer, and heartache into something you expect a much greater return.  I remember many times Josh's dad agreeing with me that Josh would someday come home, but when he saw Jael crying or Abishai balled up in the corner his heart would break.  Why couldn't he just STOP?  Why couldn't he just walk back into our lives NOW?  I remember telling him...I do NOT want Josh coming home for the children.  I do NOT want Josh coming home for me.  I do NOT want Josh coming home for anything but to do what is RIGHT in the sight of God.  Wow!! It had taken me a bit of time to get to that point, as I really wanted him HOME.  BUT I knew that if I was to allow God to do a complete work in Josh than it needed to be in His timing or we would be back in the same place a few years later. 

There are a lot of “suddenly”s in the Bible. God touched someone’s life, spoke to someone or revealed Himself and everything changed…instantly. It doesn’t take years to impact a life. It doesn’t even take 24 hours. It takes God an instant. God’s love and grace can penetrate someone’s life/heart in lightning speed when the Gospel comes alive in them. So, you can't look at those outward circumstances either. 

Are you praying for your spouse to have a Damascus Road Experience?  (I would recommend it...certainly helps to remember that God does things in an INSTANT.)

Acts 9:3  As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. (yes, open your Bible and read the whole story)

Nothing replaces the impact of God’s Spirit on a human life. We too often make ministry a long, hard drudgery. That too often leaves out the power of God. The Bible has a lot of  “suddenlys."  Why not allow God to make YOUR STORY the next one?

And suddenly…