Don't be like me. Please don't believe that your life in Christ cannot matter as much (as you were taught) or be as full because your picture looks different. Don't believe your impact cannot be strong. Don't believe that the judgement of others will overshadow your witness.
What I've learned over the last year is that God can take my pain, my heartache, my situation (Fine. I'll say it. My divorce.) and use me anyway.
For a long, long time I believed that I had to belong to a traditional family, have an Olan Mills church directory portrait gracing my family room wall, check off the married box when completing important paperwork in order to be a true, bonafide and effective child of God.
I was wrong about so many things. I made poor choices. I listened to the wrong ideas.
Finally, God used an army of strong men and women to help me see. And through them, God ushered me out of a desperate existence into a beautiful, meaningful, fulfilling life in Him.
I can finally say with great gladness that I realize I can still be used of God, be valued and revered as one who has survived much, be a voice, use my experience, point others to Jesus, love others that hurt, return the compliment to those in need, help to win souls, and mostly importantly not waste my pain as a formerly married woman.
I CAN raise healthy boys.
I WON'T ruin my children for life (because let's face it, I'm not that powerful.)
I CAN teach them to love and follow the Lord.
I CAN have real joy.
I CAN enjoy abiding peace.
I AM IMPORTANT to the Body of Christ.
Thank you, God, for lovingly teaching me by your grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, how awesome You are and that despite my innumerable flaws, I am worthy.
I love your heart sweet girl❤ you are loved!!
ReplyDeleteHi Sheryl!!
ReplyDeleteGreetings from this (finally) thawed region of New Hampshire. Yes, Lake Winnipesauke was officially declared ice free on April 25!
I loved reading your words. You are (and have always been to me) a warrior for God. You have used your strengths and weaknesses to glorify God!
Every day I receive a Bible verse of the day from Bible Gateway. Today was perfect *(as usual) - but I read it right after reading your blog.
Zephaniah 3:17
"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."
I just love this verse. God is not only rejoicing over us - He is doing so with LOUD singing. Think about that just for a moment. HE LOVES YOU (AND ME) so very much!
Blessings to you Sheryl. And as you raise your sweet boys, God is singing LOUDLY over you!!
Love your sister in Christ,
Cindy Eichling
PS - Peter and I now live in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. It's claim to fame is to be known as "The Oldest Summer Resort in America." It's really a charming town :)
My point in mentioning this is that you and the boys would be welcome to trek up here for a visit. (It's a looooong drive - 8 hours or so) but we have plenty of space in our home which you could use as a home base. The White Mountains are about an hour away. There are several lake beaches close to our home. We also have a boat (a small boat) that we love taking out on the lake. Peter has become quite the Captain:)
Many blessings to you Sheryl!!
cindy.eichling@gmail.com