Glory to God in the highest!
Luke 2:14
Every year around this time, I am reminded of the miracle God performed in our lives. It’s never lost on me the mighty work the Lord orchestrated when He brought Tommy and I back together. It was exactly three years ago that we officially said “I do” the second time. While we discussed a small ceremony on our original date in April, we decided not to delay and made a trip to the courthouse in order to finalize our vows.
The night before, I was still wrestling with the idea of committing to marriage. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to remarry Tommy, but I felt like I was unworthy of his love. There were so many things I hadn’t communicated with him during our time apart. I feared if he knew the truth of my sinful past, he wouldn’t want me as his wife. When I shared my hesitation, Tommy responded in a way that I will never forget. It was the most beautiful expression of human love I have ever experienced.
As I was crying and trying to utter words barely comprehensible, Tommy placed his hands on mine and consoled me. He said, “nothing you may have or may have not done will ever make me love you any less. Regardless of what has happened, I still want you to be my wife.” He even went as far as to say that any sin on my behalf was partially due to his failure to lead as my husband. With those words, I was reminded of the unconditional love God had granted me. Tommy demonstrated an earthly love greater than I had ever know, far greater than I deserved, a love that had no limitations or boundaries and was only possible with the help of the Holy Spirit.
The next morning, we headed to the courthouse with our youngest son in tow. I was still nervous, but was completely confident in the direction that God was leading. That day, I chose to be obedient. And, in choosing obedience, with God’s amazing sense of humor, I was placed at ease when I said “I do” in front of the county clerk decked out in the ugliest Christmas sweater I have ever seen! It was perfect, and it’s a day I now look back on with joy and laughter.
Dear friends, God still performs miracles in the lives of His children. Every year I capture photos for our Christmas cards, I reflect on the power of His hand at work in our lives. God did what we didn’t have the ability to do. He resurrected our marriage and fully restored us to Himself, and to God we owe all the glory!
From our family to yours, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas!
God bless your entire family this Christmas!
God bless you in the New Year, Mike!
Praise God for all things are possible through Him!
Michael in Alabama
Amen! May God bless you in the New Year Michael. Praying this is the year for your restoration. Also, praising God for the end of the year miracle He already performed! To God be the glory!!!
Glory be to God! I’m standing and waiting on my promise! In His time! amen
We are praying alongside you!
Is it strange that I both loathe and love this separation at the same time? I miss my bride, yet our Father is sculpting me into the image of Christ in order that I may love her as He does. He is a promise-keeping Father, and I trust His timing. Merry Christmas to the Larson family, thank you for the blessing you are.
In Christ,
Bobby
It’s very refreshing that you view it this way. What a mighty work God is doing in your heart and life! May the Lord continue molding you into His image. Praying the Father’s many blessings for you in 2020!
While Rosina was working during the day on Christmas Eve, I went to her home, decorated her door, placed the gift bags there with a Bible and books and other things I bought, also things I created by hand. I prayed in the hallway for a long time before I left. I know that God led me to love up on her and He was (and is) pleased with me.
Christmas Day I opened my door to see that she had jammed all the gifts into a large trash bag and thrown them at the bottom of the stairs. I was crushed and asked God why He would lead me to bless her, only to be rejected. He quickly let me know that walking with Jesus is to share in His suffering too, not just blessings. He asked me if I had ever rejected Him or His gifts. He encouraged me to pick up my cross daily and continue dying to self.
I asked Him if this was a sign for me to give up on our marriage. He pressed into my heart to look at what I read on Christmas Eve, that He had placed something there for me, just for that day. I had read Proverbs 24 and Luke 24 the night before. So I opened my Bible and this passage jumped out at me. Proverbs 24:10-11 says “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.” Luke 24 shares about the resurrection of Jesus.
God told me quite clearly that I have a responsibility to pray for Rosina even more, that she is being deceived by the enemy. Yes, it is my responsibility to pray for her, even or especially when I am rejected, because God hears my prayers and He will resurrect her and our marriage. If I want to claim His promises, I need to honor mine. Praise God for the way He turned heartache on Christmas Day to more of a blessing than I could have ever asked for.
I stand – with God. Period…no comma. He is faithful, I will be too. Happy New Year! 🙂
This is my biggest fear, that if my husband finds out, when we are back together I will have the opportunity to tell him, that once he hears all my sin, he will walk away again. Thank you for this testimony of how God changes hearts, even unforgiving hearts.
Kristine, when I felt this way in the past and even now in other situations, I reflect on 2 Timothy 1:7 and Romans 12:2. Praise the Lord for sending the Holy Spirit to walk alongside us so we are never have to face our circumstances alone. And, yes, God is definitely still in the business of changing hearts!
Merry Christmas Tommy, Amy and family. This is the first Christmas without my bride. I’m giving her a new Bible for a Christmas gift along with a gift card to her favorite store. I’m hoping that my unconditional love will continue to soften her heart so that God can do a work in us and our marriage.
Love seeing this and praying your gift was well received! Even if not, God can still use it as an opportunity to speak to your prodigal and soften her heart over time.
What a beautiful testimony of God’s love for you and your family.
Merry Christmas!