(Melissa’s previous testimony was shared in our You Are Forgiven book during chapter seven.)
I hung up the phone with Joan after sharing my story, and for the first time in several weeks God had filled me with some joy. It was painful having to face the reality of what was taking place in my life, especially after thinking God had brought my marriage to a place of restoration. I sat in my car and just praised God for the opportunity he had given me to share my trust in him. I thought,
“God, if one woman reads my story and decides to fight for her marriage and to choose to wait on your guidance before making a hasty decision, then my pain will have been worth it.”
That day I didn’t know what was going to happen.
My marriage seemed to have hit a place where it couldn’t be fixed. I was angry with God. I felt as if I had done everything he had asked of me. I felt he knew I would take my husband back, even knowing that in 10 weeks I would be left devastated. My life at the time seemed to be worthless. Everything I held on to was shattered. I felt completely lost. The next 6 months God led me through the hardest season I had ever faced. I didn’t understand why; it didn’t make any sense to me, but I chose once again to wait on the Lord to show me what to do.
The best advice I have ever been given was, “When you don’t know what to do, just wait on Jesus.”
I sought counseling. I attended a bible study/counseling group called Changes that Bring Healing by Henry Cloud and a Restoring Relationship weekend workshop. I was desperate to get stronger, heal, and know what God wanted me to do.
Being involved with LGG bible studies has always helped me stay in the Word and give me accountability.
God has used those 6 months to break me and bring me to a place that I needed to be. On July 8th I got a call from my husband. I hadn’t heard from him since I asked him to leave Jan 1. I was prepared and had boundaries so that I could stand firm. My husband entered rehab July 20. God has done a mighty work in him. He isn’t the same; he is a new creation.
All my prayers were being answered down to the littlest detail. I still stand amazed!
My husband has passed his 90 days clean mark. I attend his NA meetings with him every week. We have started a life group in our home for people to have a support group and to help with my husband’s recovery and accountability. During the 6 months after my husband left, I decided to get educated about addiction. I started taking a course on addiction and recovery. I will finish and be certified before the end of the year. I would have never done that without the devastation I went through. My heart’s desire for my marriage to be restored, my husband to be made whole, and my family to stay intact has been fulfilled. I could have had a different outcome. I could have chosen to listen to the world and ended my marriage. I did have
I would have never done that without the devastation I went through.
My heart’s desire for my marriage to be restored, my husband to be made whole, and my family to stay intact has been fulfilled. I could have had a different outcome. I could have chosen to listen to the world and ended my marriage. I did have Biblical reason to do so; no one would have blamed me. I chose instead to wait on the Lord and allow him to finish a work that he promised to do. I am so very thankful that I did. The pain was intense, but the miracle of forgiveness and restoration has given me great joy!
Melissa Morris
Join us for our two-week Bible Study:
Starting on November 7th.
Another beautiful story, I can so relate about your marriage, I too am in the process of restoration, and holding on God’s promises, on Matthew 19:26, “For God nothing is impossible”and on Malachi 2:16, “God hates divorce” and praying for more patience to wait on Jesus, I think vitrue of being patient is something that I want God to work on me, I sometimes rushed and make hasty decisions and NOT wait on Him, I think that’s what it means when we do it in our strenght and NOT God’s strenght. Thanks for sharing your story in this blog.
Father God, please stop me when I try to do things on my own, I need your help on how to have boundaries in my marriage. I think this is something You would want me to have, and I need Your help, in Jesus name the name above all nanes, Amen.
God is a God of Restoration!! I praise him for what he has done in your marriage!
Oh Melissa…your story brings tears of joy to my heart dear friend! I love you!
Thank you Jessica! Your friendship had been such a blessing!
Your Story is Beautiful and I went through something similar where my marriage was restored beyond my expectations. God is so good! Thank you for sharing our beautiful story!
Yes he is Lisa!! He is able to do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine!!
I first apologize if this is lengthy, but I wanted to take some time and express the need I had to receive this message, waiting on God, and to receive it at the right time.
I will be married for 3 years in November and in July, events happened in my marriage that shook me very hard. Me and my husband separated and 2 months ago he said he isnt moving back; he just doesn’t have it in him to be a husband right now. My initial reaction was protection, so I walked Through the process of printing out divorce papers… And things have come up day after day, and they have never been processed.
It has been in the last month where God has very heavily, placed it in my heart to trust Him, and to love my husband. To be patient for Him to work in my marriage. To me, that marriage ground that I stand on seems very dead, but to God, it’s a perfect place to start something new.
I appreciated reading this today, and not long after I cried out to God for direction did I read this. Thank you, and I am excited to see a dead land be revived to something beautiful.
Bethany, thank you for sharing! I am lifting up your marriage! Stand firm in the Lord! Continue to seek him and he will make your path straight! I know how difficult it is but the Lord will give you his strength in your weakness. His promise is to work it out for the good of those who love him! Praise him for where you are at right now, our praise will break chains that bind us. God can bring the dead to life!! He has a plan and purpose for you. Wait upon the Lord so that your strength will be renewed! Trust in the Lord and don’t lean on your own understanding! HE will give you peace to know what to do at the right time, until then wait and seek him!
What a beautiful testimony! There’s no limit to what God can do. Bless you!
Bethany, thank you for sharing! I am lifting up your marriage! Stand firm in the Lord! Continue to seek him and he will make your path straight! I know how difficult it is but the Lord will give you his strength in your weakness. His promise is to work it out for the good of those who love him! Praise him for where you are at right now, our praise will break chains that bind us. God can bring the dead to life!! He has a plan and purpose for you. Wait upon the Lord so that your strength will be renewed! Trust in the Lord and don’t lean on your own understanding! HE will give you peace to know what to do at the right time, until then wait and seek him!
Thank you Hilda! You are right there is no limit to what God can do!
God is amazing. One thing that stood out from reading your testimony. When you don’t know what to do, wait on Jesus. That’s exact what I need to do. X
He is Amazing!
my husband left 1 1/2 years ago after 30 years of marriage for another women. i have prayed and believed for a restored marriage and family. but I am loosing hope and faith in it as time passes. I am not sure anymore if i could truly work it out if he did come back. everyone says how hard it is, just dont know if i have it in me..
Denise, I have felt that same way. Whatever is the outcome of your situation that through Christ strength you could do it! I am praying for God to give you strength as you wait on him. Stay in his word so that he can fill you with hope and renew your faith for what he has in store for you.
How do you define God?
The story encouraged my heart. For months now, it has been a struggle and a battle. My husband who has a affair with a woman at our church. Which he was the pastor at. We moved hundred of miles away. The woman drives to see him . They still communicate. When I pray God says “Stand Still”. With everything in me I am trying to do just that!!!But it is hard.
I am a pastor’s wife and I am so sorry that happened to you and that you are still going through it. You need to pray about it of course, but you need to ask your husband to stop all communication with that woman. That is totally unacceptable.
Hello Melissa, I’ve logged in for the first time today and I am empowered by your story. I am a 29 yr old single mother of two, from two different guys. The first relationship ended when my baby was 6 months, he wasn’t interested anymore. I recovered soon enough, I had hope and believed God for a second chance. My second baby is turning 7 months today, and going through the same thing. The relationship is almost dead. I have been praying since last year October asking God to work it out, but instead things grew worse. I feel I have done most of what was expected from me, but I feel the war is far beyond me and my heart has grown weary. I would love to be a wife. Please help.
Hello Eulenda,
I’m so thankful God used my story to touch you. My marriage has been a battle and it has required total surrender and obedience to the Lord. When I read your post it made me think of what a counselor told me; “Don’t give your pearls to the pigs” I had to realize that I was giving the very best of me to someone who didn’t want or appreciate it at the time. It was very hard to admit but it was true. I have struggled for years with placing my value in what my husband thought or didn’t think of me. When I allowed myself to place my value in what God says and to work on my healing and let go of the desire to win my husband over, I was able to have freedom. God has a plan for you but you need to seek him first and let him bring into your life what is best and what will bring him Glory. I love the message of advent, which is a message of waiting. Make sure you are living in his will and according to his standards so that he can bless your relationship. God knows the desires of your heart and he says he will work everything out for those who love him and are called according to his purpose. He has called you to be totally devoted to him first before anything else. Hang in there, I’m praying for you!