I'm just an ordinary girl. I grew up in a small farm town in the Midwest surrounded by corn and family. I played dolls and Barbies and dreamed of love. After high school I moved on to the bigger cities, and went to college. I finally settled near Indianapolis where I married my college sweetheart and had three beautiful babies. I was blessed to be a stay-at-home Mom for eight years. I was married for a little over 11 when the dream fell apart.
I wish I could tell you that my marriage crumbled while I was running from God. That I didn't even know Him at the time. And that He used this horrible situation to bring me to redemption in Him. Reality is, my husband and I both attended church every week. We were ministry leaders. He taught Sunday School and I taught ladies Bible Study and lead a Mom's group.
It's not supposed to happen to people like us. But reality is... it does. It's happening in churches all across the country. The enemy is finding a foot hold and holding on for dear life until families are ripped apart.
A Sunday in November, I attended service by myself and was moved to kneel at the altar. My prayer that morning has forever changed my life. "Lord, I submit my all to You. And no matter what story You choose to give, my prayer is that You will be glorified above all." That afternoon, my husband surprised me with a separation. Him unwilling to try and salvage a relationship, divorce happened a little over a year later.
For years prior, I've been drawn to the hurting. The ones who wear a smile on the outside, masking the brokenness. I'd meet precious women at the park. In the grocery line. At preschool plays. At conferences. And they would share their stories with me. Crumbling marriages. Surprise tumors. The messy trenches of motherhood. Most times, one meeting would be all I would have. But the effects on me....those I'll have for a lifetime.
He has given me a passion for you. Yes, you.
Beautiful women who face circumstances everyday, beyond their control.
Precious women who long to experience peace and joy and love in this roller coaster life.
Who are searching for nothing more, than just a little bit of hope amidst the mess.
My friends, I'm here to tell you my story. HOPE IS POSSIBLE. An ordinary girl, with an extraordinary God. A sinner saved by glorious grace. A weak woman, strengthened only on her knees, in complete reverence to Him.
Throughout ALL, God's promises still ring true. He will never leave you, nor forsake you. He still works ALL things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. He is still the God of burning bushes and parted seas and healed bodies and lives. He can bring comfort in the most unexpected places of life.
He is by nature, unpredictable. His Word says His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. But He is still in control. He is still good. And all we can do, is rest in His glorious presence. Clinging to His promises. Knowing He is still on His throne.
Will you embark on this journey with me?
May we never stop learning Who our God is. I pray you draw nearer to Him with each word written. I pray you find hope, no matter your circumstance. Because beloved, nothing is greater than grace.
"You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."
2 Corinthians 3:2-3 (NIV)
May whatever story He pens for our lives bring glory and honor to Him.
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