Page 8 - Grace.Spring.2021

What would our marriage have looked
that Austin and I needed to attend. It’s one
of the first times I remember really feeling a
heaviness from the Lord. But I also knew
there were two hurdles in the way: 1. We
were broke. There was no way we could
afford to attend. And 2. I had to convince
Austin we needed to attend the
conference. So, I did the only thing I knew
to do . . . I prayed. I prayed specifically that
God would provide a way for us to
purchase our ticket and that Austin would
agree to go without a battle. In December,
a stranger handed us an envelope and told
us he and his family wanted to bless us.
Inside was 10 times the amount we needed
to purchase a ticket to that marriage
conference. God said, “Check.” Now, I
needed to tell Austin about the conference.
I was so afraid of the battle that would
ensue from me asking him to attend the
conference, that I texted him. Yes, texted. I
texted him and said, “I think our Christmas
gift to each other should be attending this.”
And I included the link to the conference.
He simply replied, “Ok.” God said, “Done.”
like if I hadn’t been steadfast in prayer
and hope?
What if I disregarded the Holy Spirit’s nudging to attend
On January 4, 2013, Austin and I
that marriage conference? I could have walked away.
walked into a hotel conference room as But I grew up in a divorced home and in my heart, I
two broken individuals inside a couldn’t walk away without giving it everything I had to
struggling marriage. Oh but, God. What try and make it work. It was in that desperation, that
took place inside our hearts at that deep heart desire for God to show up in our life. It was
marriage conference is indescribable praying fervently over and over. It was sensing the Holy
and only explainable through God. It Spirit and acting on that nudging. I prayed two very
desperate prayers. When you come to the realization
was Him, all Him that pierced our that the things you’re doing, the choices you’re making
hearts. My husband and I gave our lives
are ripping apart a relationship, tearing apart your family
back to the Lord, individually, but also
. . . when it becomes all you can think about
gave our marriage to the Lord. It was an
instant change for us like a light had THAT should be your desperation point.
flipped on. It was as if the Lord, with a
If you are feeling stuck, I challenge you to get
deep breath and sigh said, “I have been
DESPERATE. Get desperate enough that you fall to
waiting for this day for so long.” It was
your knees. Get desperate enough that you will do
that day that we chose to build the
whatever it takes to make a change in your life. Get
foundation of our home and marriage desperate enough to confront the situation, surrender it
on the solid rock of the Lord’s word. and lay it all at the feet of Jesus. Be steadfast. Pray
Suddenly our hearts softened, and our fervently. Remain hopeful. And most of all . . . trust Him.
eyes were opened. Our marriage has And again I say,
been changed ever since.
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial,
for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown
of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:12
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