From Another Woman…
This morning I opened email to a special blessing.
A Glory sighting.
The message that sprang forth brought great joy and made my whole day.
Not because I take credit (nor responsibility! J) for anything that God does, but rather because this message showed me once again, that God’s Word is True. All the time. If we would but trust Him and obey, we could reap these blessings ourselves.
I’ve seen it in my own marriage, but I smile with delight when I get the privilege of someone sharing with me that it’s happened in theirs.
So here’s the email. May it bless you and encourage you. Granted, it’s from a lady who is married also to a Christian, but remember, 1 Peter 3:1-6 tells us that even unsaved, nonbelieving husbands can come to know Christ as a result of our gentle and quiet spirit (and this isn’t talking about being a doormat!). Join me in praising God for the miracles that occur when we obey His Word:
Hi there:
I’m nearing the end of my journey through The Respect Dare for Married Women. This, to say the least, has been an adventure. I’m 42 years old, married to my Army husband for 1 and 1/2 years and have two boys, ages 11 and 13. In the mix, there’s my ex-husband (uncooperative and difficult) plus three step-daughters out of state, who don’t get to see my husband due to problems with his ex-wife. That’s just our scenario. As you can see, we come with some proverbial baggage.
The good news? My husband and I are both believers in Jesus and we know that a couple that prays and plays together, stays together. Divorce is never an option.
I have learned many things about myself along the way. Over the last few times, I have wanted to quit and had even referred to the book as “This Stupid Book”, sorry. This workbook has guided me through questions that I had buried in my past and brought them forward to deal with. I know that God wanted me to face these fears head on but I didn’t really want to. I learned, REALLY learned, that my views of my past and my hurts from childhood and my prior marriage, had flooded into my home and greatly affect my role as wife and mother. I had been doing all the same things over and over, expecting different results. Well, I don’t like change, and I needed to change, BIG time, which led to other issues. This “journey” became less fun when I realized that I had many “areas of opportunity”. Was I that broken? Was I really THAT bad? That frustrated me and made me feel worse about myself. Things in my marriage were frustrating me as my husband and I adjusted to post deployment married life.
Ultimately, with continued prayer, reading this book, answering the questions, doing the activities, openly talking with my husband, and dedication to my husband…… God changed my heart! I can see how respecting my husband is the Godly thing to do. Showing him respect and being a respectful wife is the right thing. Prior to my experience, my ego often got in the way. I had to be right and be strong and voice my opinion. I was so concerned with being heard and standing my ground.
My biggest success….. praying for my husband aloud and in his presences. Prior to last night, I only prayed for him once in front of him, aloud. I pray for him all the time but it was either quietly next to him or aloud, when he wasn’t with me. I was worried/ fearful that my words wouldn’t sound right. My husband is a wonderful speaker and the words always sound great. Well, last night, I prayed a prayer for us and our families. I did it for him, for God, and for myself. I faced the fear, with the help of Jesus. It was awesome!
I love my husband and I know that I can be heard and be respectful. I will respect him even when I think he might not “deserve” it. I will be a Godly wife and be strong for my husband. I am safe and my husband is by my side.
My husband loves me and I know it….. all the time; not just when I’m loveable. I’m blessed.
Thank you for this opportunity to share. My two co-workers and I have enjoyed our time gathering with this book. We have built friendships and served as partners on God’s path. We are grateful for this experience.
Smiles,
Julia
I’m most excited about how God changed her heart. It’s so easy to allow our hearts to become hardened. It’s never about us, but we make it that way, focusing on the faults of the other. Today, STOP. Dare you to ask Him to change you, then be teachable. Guess what? God’s in the heart-changing business – He can change your husband’s heart, too, as long as we aren’t in His way…
Proverbs 3:11-12
My child, don’t ignore it when your Lord disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when He corrects you. For the Lord corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
If your marriage is a painful place right now, know there is peace, joy, comfort, and HOPE waiting if you are obedient to His Word!
Thankful to be on the journey with you.
Love to you,
Nina