There’s something that’s been on my heart for a couple weeks now and I want to share it with you.
You know how God will give us a Word and we receive it but don’t completely understand all of it? So…… we chew and meditate on it and ask questions (I do this all the time) until God brings it into full clarity for us. I have come to expected that my questions may be answered through a friend as well.
While Bill and I were home for Thanksgiving my Daddy took this opportunity to minister to my husband. My Daddy loves me greatly and wants Bill to be the best husband he can be for me but also wants him to grow in his relationship with God. He began to minister to Bill about something I have been praying over for a long time now.
As my Daddy began talking to Bill on this subject, girls, I got excited. I was ready and had some great things to say.. It was at this moment the Holy Spirit nudged me to be quiet. I listened and though I had a few things to share like “Way to go Daddy” or “You got that bud?” I sat in silence.
Now those of you who know me well know that a few years ago this would have been hard for me to do. I can hear you laughing now..
As he continued he said something powerful to Bill. I knew it as soon as it came out of Daddys mouth.. Again I was reminded to be silent. Man!!!!…………………….
I thought on this for a few days and decided to ask God why he wanted me quite. This was His answer and I pray you are as blown away as I was and still am! “As Bill changes you are required to change as well.” Wow…. I could see exactly what God was saying to me.. Plus I’m reminded that I still don’t have it all together but I’m learning. Still didn’t answer my question but I was on my way to getting there.. I have learned over the years, God always has lessons inside the lesson..
God was sowing good seeds in Bill (seeds I have been asking for) and I needed to be quiet..
This is a change for me. I can be quiet at the time but I have to be honest with you guys, I will wait for the right moment and then pounce him with how I feel (as If my Daddy or who ever is talking to him didn’t do a good enough job). Does any of this resonate with you as well?
Now this is the part where my friend comes in. Sheri is a long time friend of mine whom I have been walking (literally) in ministry with off and on for a few years now. . She has prayed over my marriage and sowed so many good seeds. So I was excited to share with her what God was doing. As I was sharing this lesson she said something very real and true.. She reminded me a certain scripture:
“And two shall become one flesh; so they are no longer two, but one flesh.” Mark 10:8
She said, “God made us one flesh”….. Pow!!! I got so excited and asked her if we could park right here for a few minutes.. I didn’t want to miss what God was trying to say to me! As Bill changes I am required to change.. Why?? Because we are one Flesh.. What happens to one needs to happen to the other so the overall change will be complete!
I found this correction through revelations to be inspiring and joyful!
I still don’t have the answer to my question but God was now ready to tell me. As Sheri and I were parked on this scripture, God took me back to His Word and reminded me of the parable of the sower and the seeds.
“Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.” Luke 8:12
Doesn’t is just make you mad to know satan is ever present to steal the good things God is giving us and our loves ones?!?!
So, why did I need to be quiet? Because, not only does satan desire to steal the Word from our loved ones hearts, he also desires to use us as a vessel to steal the Word as well. If I had disobeyed God and spoke anyway I could have done just that.
I sit here sure that I have many times before!! In this situation my words were extra and could have frustrated Bill or caused him to turn from God because they would have come out as an “I told you so” kind of tone. Ah, the answer!
In case your wondering, I’m still sitting perfectly quiet about the whole conversation and letting God grow the seeds he has sown in Bill! What is my reward for being quiet? I’m so glad you guys asked! My husband is becoming the husband I have longed for for many years.
We still aren’t quite there but the fruit that is coming from Bills change and my obedience is simply wonderful. I’m enjoying my husband and my marriage. Because of his reactions to me since then, I have found my self letting go of thoughts, habits and beliefs which is giving Bill more room to move freely in our marriage and be less stressed. It’s like the domino effect. One falling will break down the rest one by one!
I told you I don’t have it all together but thankfully I too am a work in progress!!
God, we come to you and ask that you would help us hear your voice at all times. But not just this Lord, that we would be quick to obey. Let us not fall weary in our waiting to see our prayers come to fruition. Thank you Lord that you do require actions from us! As we grow in your Word we grow in our relationships with our husbands. Thank you Father for your faithfulness to your daughters! In Jesus name we pray, Amen!
Blessings to each of you!!
♥ Cherie
I can relate all too well. I have learned over the years to let God do His work. He does not need our help. Although, it's still tough to be silent when I think things should be done in my timing. Great post. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Cheri for this reminder. I sometimes want to speak when I know I shouldn't. One of the prayers I have been praying lately is that my voice be soft, scant, and supportive.
Two years ago I asked God to remove the addiction from Alcohol from my life. I had gone to treatment, attended AA, all of it. For 24 hours I sat and prayed each hour with a promise that if he got me through it I would honor him each day by not drinking. Since then there has never been the urge or desire. My husband still drinks, and I have been trying to control things, getting him to stop. Its not working. In addition, I have grown away from God, attending church less often, no longer reading the bible. And yet he never goes away from his promise to me. He keeps me sober.
Your writing tonight touched me today because I have become so angry with my husband, because he won't change. You were the voice that I heard tonight after a few months of God talking to me and telling me to get back in the Word, and Wait. Every day for the first year I became sober I would pray and randomly open the bible and there would be God's answer to my prayer or question. I marked each 365 days.
He has given me many words to ponder but the one that he says most often is "Be Still, and Know that I am God". Sometimes he says it with emphasis on a different word in the sentence and each version has new meaning to me at that moment.
He is awesome, and thank you for this post today.
Just Me,
What a testimony! I praise God that you had the strength to let go and be free from your captive. Alcoholism is a strong hold that many are still bound too.
Can I encourage you to start praying 5 chapters of Psamls "OUT LOUD" to God each day. All the way through. It will take you 31 days but I believe (because I have done this myself and doing it again) that God will minister strength, love, courage, and self worth to you each day. Praying the Word out loud (not just reading it to God) is Powerful. Each day I do I receive so much from Gods Word.
Go to your prayer closet (mine is my bathroom, sit down and consecrate this time with God. Invite Him to join you and begin to pray. Psalms will begin to open up to you in ways you haven't seen or experienced before.
One last thought, can you let me know how your doing? My email is cheriezack@gmail.com. I would like to pray with you over anything that troubles you.. Your marriage can be turned around! God honors us when we read His Word and Pray it!!
If you have Facebook, you can click on the FB icon on the right of our wall and join us. Here you can read everyone's post and discussions!! I would love to have you! Once I see your request I will approve you. I keep it closed to gives us privacy.
Blessing to you sweet friend!
Love, Cherie
Michelle,
A friend reminded me last night after reading this something. We should apply this to our friends and family and kids as well… Great thought! :o)
I love what you said about your voice being soft, scant and supportive. Wanting our husbands to love God and put Him first is so strong in us that sometimes we loose our way.. Praise God that He is always ready to direct us back.
Have a sweet day,
Cherie
Good stuff! Something for me to meditate on. Makes perfect sense as we ARE one flesh. So many times we focus on the changes that they need to make rather than seeing that we too must change. Lord, change me is my prayer today. Change us as One. Our marriage should be a picture of Christ and His church. Oh, that our marriage would reflect You in an honorable way Lord!
Cheri, thank you for your note! I most definitely will keep in touch and let you know how I am doing. I will also begin the prayer of Psalms you suggest. Thanks for the encouragement. My relationship with God is very special to me, and I don't think I will every give in to alcohol again. That has been removed. Now if only I can work on the eating habit!!
Sisters of Honor! First, I love your name.. Honor… what a wonderful thing we can do for our Savior and husbands.
It's it comforting to know we're not walking this walk alone..
I look forward to hear more from you in the future! :o)
I will be praying for the lady whom sign as "Just Me" . I too know how hard it is to wait on the Lord with my Husband . Alcoholism has been a part of my life as for the 43 of my life and if someone had told me I would have married an alcoholic , well I would have never believe them. "Just Me" , Cherie gave good christian advice and I think I will do as she suggested. Remember God does work all things for the good for those whom love him. I know the wait is hard but obedience brings blessings. Girl, stay strong in the word and let God work on your husband. I have to remind myself of that daily. So know you are not alone. God, bless you . with love your sister in Christ, Terri
Terri, thank you for reaching out to our sister Just me! We are all going through vallies. Having someone come along side us to pray is powerful. Especially when they don't know us but have heard out heart!
This ministry works because each of you pray for your sisters even the ones you haven't met!
May God richly bless you Terri, Just me and the rest of our ladies!!