The Downpour is Coming!

Ladies, I want to post my praise in advance, because I know I’m about to be caught up in the torrent of answered prayers. Thank you, Erin, for chapter 5 in LAL, “Small as a Man’s Fist.” My Beloved used it this morning to confirm that FULL restoration is, indeed, around the corner – restoration of my EH to the Lord, to his earthly father and mother, to his children, to my family, and to me. The cloud is a 7-year-old’s birthday party.

Throughout this trial, I have had a sense that this marriage crisis came about to heal many old wounds caused by (very different but equally perplexing) patterns of sin in my husband’s and my family. As the year has worn on, the Lord has given me time and opportunity to connect anew with many members of my EH’s family, to seek their forgiveness, and to affirm our love for each other.

Tomorrow we will gather together to celebrate our daughter’s 7th birthday (she and I share a birthday. She was born on my 27th birthday, which just so happens to be my father-in-law’s birthday too). From the outside, this does not seem like a big deal, but my Beloved and I know it is. For many reasons, my in-laws are rarely in the same place at the same time, but those rare moments are precious to my earthly husband. Most of the celebrations we’ve hosted over the years have been populated by my family and his mother. This time, although my siblings will be present, my parents will not be. All the “elders” at this gathering will be from EH’s side of the family. I have been praying for restoration throughout our whole family, that the Lord will knit us together in unity and give back to us the years the locusts have eaten. I simply could not have pulled this off myself.

The enemy has been trying hard all week to sow seeds of doubt and discouragement and to rob me of my faith, hope, and joy. I am writing this praise report to dance on his head and to declare my Prince of Peace victorious over his schemes.

Because we are still separated and tomorrow is my EH’s night at home with the children, I will be making dinner for his parents and aunts and uncles who have traveled to celebrate with us, then leaving my home for the night as my EH does not care to share meals with me at this time. There is even a chance that the OW will be in my home, and I am simply praying the Lord gives me an opportunity to show her kindness.

All of this is a big deal for me – a testimony of my time in the Lord’s refining fire. You see, I never felt terribly welcomed or liked by EH’s family (nor he by mine). Whenever we visited them, I was clingy, needy, and jealous. I was more than happy to take up EH’s bitterness toward them, and was bitter toward him when he still sought out relationships with them or appeared to prefer them over me. I was more than happy to let “my” family be our “real” family, and I grudgingly tolerated any time I was “forced” to spend with them. I was so arrogant; no wonder they didn’t like me!

Tomorrow walls will be broken down. My husband’s family is my family. Our children are theirs as much as ours. The Lord’s hand is on all of us. The restoration of my marriage is simply not enough for my beloved Heavenly Husband. It will reach into every family relationship, knitting us together in perfect unity.

The following day, Monday, marks one year of separation. My EH will finally be free to file for divorce, and I am not afraid of it because nothing is going to stop the Lord’s movement on behalf of His beloved. He loves me, he loves this family. May His will be done!

“I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.” -Romans 16:19b

“Those from among you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, the Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.” -Isaiah 58:12

“Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate.” -Matthew 19:6