God seems to be surrounding me with things I'm familiar with, yet struggle with for answers. While igniting the fire for godly marriages, He has brought marriages with bitter conflict into my awareness. Not only my awareness, but into a realm of ministry.
Most times I feel inadequate. I know the devastation from both the child of a marital battlefront and the spouse of a failed union. And I can't decide for whom I have the most compassion for, the children or the mom.
I know the power of God to bring into bloom a marriage that faced times when the world would have said to quit. It's not that I just know about those marriages, I've lived to experience it for myself. I really "get it" when I read that God's thoughts and His ways are higher than mine.
I wish I could uncover the truths that God has taught me over 20+ years to my friends in one sitting. Not just my friends....these are people that I know God has brought me to for such a time as this. Women that I've grown to love as if they were my own daughters. However, I feel helpless when they hurt...when I see them make mistakes and then have to walk with them as they pick up the pieces.
Isn't that how God feels about me? He tells me the truth and when I don't heed it, He walks with me as I pick up the pieces. How sad I must make Him sometimes. How sad I am that I've disappointed Him so.
This is not a microwave ministry. It takes years for marriages to end up in these predicaments. It may take years for healing. While patience is a fruit of the Spirit, it is certainly not something that comes naturally to me....
So, as I move ahead one step at a time with my Ladies, I seek God's hand for guidance. I pray that He will give me discernment in council and wisdom when they ask advice. I pray for them that they choose Him. I know He will never let them go, but I know the road less traveled, even though it seems the bigger risk, is certainly covered by One that loves them far more than I ever could.
