Four years ago, my husband and I had just packed all our belongings into a Penske truck and left our families behind. His job had taken us from Phoenix to Connecticut, and we were about to face one of the biggest trials of our married life.
New town, new apartment, new jobs, new church. Like an earthquake, the big changes we were experiencing shook us up and brought all the problems in our relationship to the surface.
And suddenly I found myself questioning my marriage. With no friends or family anywhere close.
I had never felt so alone.
There were moments when I thought it was all over. Broken beyond repair. Completely without hope.
“Never underestimate my Jesus. You’re telling me that there’s no hope. I’m telling you you’re wrong.” Relient K, from “For the Moments I Feel Faint”
I can’t tell you how much I cried during those dark months. Or how much I prayed.
“God, help. Redeem this marriage. Only You can save it, God. Only you. Help.”
“I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. (Psalm 40: 1-2)
This is what God did.
He turned to me.
He heard my cry.
He lifted my marriage out of the slimy pit, out of the muck and mire.
He saved our marriage.
We didn’t wake up one morning and suddenly everything was just peachy. But slowly, things began to change. Healing entered into our relationship. Peace entered into our home.
And today, our marriage is stronger than ever. Not because we’re awesome, but because He is.
We learned, in that trial, that only a marriage built on the firm foundation of Christ will stand.
I share this deeply personal story with you for one reason — to give you hope.
If you are facing a hopeless situation today, I want to encourage you to invite Jesus into that situation.
Where He is, there is hope.
The pain you are feeling is real, and it is big. I know.
I also know that…
Jesus is real, and He is bigger.
Just ask the demon-possessed man who lived in the tombs until Jesus delivered him (Mark 5: 1-20). Or the woman who had suffered with bleeding for 12 years until Jesus healed her (Mark 5: 25-34). Or the synagogue ruler whose little girl was dead until Jesus raised her to life (Mark 5: 35-43). Or the disciples whose boat was sinking fast until Jesus calmed the storm (Mark 4: 35-41).
No situation is without hope, if Jesus is there.
Invite Him in, dear one.
God bless,
Megan
Well I am one of Margo’s friends and went to you site on her suggestion. Dear girl, you are doing a great job! I loved it! Very uplifting, wonderful advice, actual useful items! Keep up the good work and you are now in my prayers
Wendi Eakins
Friend of Margo Dolittle
I very much needed this post today! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.