“To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my defense, my God of mercy.” Psalm 59:17

Restored

When my husband and I married, we were both believers in Christ, but neither of us were followers. We were very much in the world and of the world. As the years went by, that worldliness began taking a toll on us. My friend encouraged me to start going to church again and gradually the Lord drew me into a committed, growing relationship with Him. Although my husband never discouraged my church involvement, he rarely chose to join me. I grew closer to Jesus but my husband became more entangled in the world, eventually turning to experimenting with drugs. I knew something was different about him, but didn’t realize what it was, nor the extent or depth of his involvement, until he chose that lifestyle over our marriage and our family. I was confused. I was afraid. I was devastated.

The days, weeks, months, and years that followed were ugly. I watched the strong, robust man I loved turn into a haggard, sunken-cheeked skeleton who looked 20 years older than he was. He stole and lied to loved ones and strangers to support his addiction. He chose to live outside our home in squalor and filth. Nothing I did or said made any difference. I was heart-broken, frustrated, and incredibly angry.

I clung to Jesus in a way I never would have even imagined. I searched scripture, fasted, prayed, begged, pleaded, and cried. I had nothing left. I was broken and empty.

And then Jesus came.

The Bible spoke to me in a heart-audible way I had never experienced before. Jesus became so real to me, I felt if I reached out I would touch Him. While His words spoke comfort and hope to my breaking heart, He also spoke some hard truths to me showing me that I had been worshipping my husband and my marriage and not Him. I hadn’t even realized it but I knew it was true. I needed to make changes.

Jesus became my first priority in everything. Every decision, every choice, every moment was submitted to Him…including my husband, our shattered marriage, and whatever shreds of a future there might be.

It has been a long, winding journey that is still unfolding, but God gets all the glory! Jesus has restored my husband, our marriage, our family, and my husband’s relationships with loved ones and friends.

Through that difficult season I found Jesus to be more than I would have ever imagined He could or would be. I felt His love more than I ever could have hoped. I gained more of my Savior than I ever knew I would.

Anchor your hope in Jesus. He will never leave you or forsake you.

Heavenly Father, You are more than we could ever hope or imagine. How great You are! How unfathomable is Your great love for us! Thank You. Amen.