This is a guest article written by Sheela. Her transparency is amazing and her motivation to have hope in her marriage is grounded in God’s Holy Word! There are many of you who can probably relate to this testimony, and if so please leave a comment on how this article encouraged your faith!
Christian. I have been married to a wonderful man for almost 16 years. Like many couples in North America, we started sleeping together soon after we started dating and several years later we moved in together and then married. Neither of us were involved in a church and a relationship with Jesus was nowhere on our radar screens.
After 7 years of marriage, and one miscarriage, we had our son. He has been a joy and wonder. So much so, that I hardly remember life before him. In God’s faithfulness, he prompted my son to ask about Sunday school. I hadn’t really thought about it, but at the age of 3, I thought maybe he would enjoy it…like an activity such as soccer or swimming.
The Holy Spirit revealed Himself to me after attending that church for about a year. In my wildest dreams, I never thought that I would receive such nourishment from those church services.
I have been growing in Christ for the past 5 years and what an amazing journey it has been! However, I’m alone on this journey in my marriage….
My husband is a good man by measurable standards. He loves and encourages me, he is kind, tender, and affectionate, he is a wonderful father and male role model to our son. He works hard to support us and puts us first time and time again. But he doesn’t know Jesus.
Part of growing with Jesus is attending church, reading my bible and joining a small home group. However, the more time I spend with Christ and His followers, the less time I am spending with my spouse. How can I grow as a Christian and yet love and support my husband?
I don’t have the answers, but I will say that my marriage now is so much better than I ever thought possible.
Better communication
Better intimacy
Better friendship
How can that be when my husband won’t even set foot in the door of my church?
God is changing me! I pray for my husband often, and having a heart of prayer changes my thoughts and my actions. I am involved in my church and a small group, but God is so faithful, He reminds me when I have to spend time with my husband and ask the ladies for a rain-check. My husband hasn’t felt jealous of my church or my Christian friends because he knows he isn’t competing with them. I can pray and worship Jesus anywhere!
I have read and re-read this piece of scripture so many times- I know our God doesn’t make mistakes. He wanted me to marry THIS man. I will wait for His perfect timing.
1 Peter 3:1-2 (The Message)
“Be good wives to your husbands, responsive to their needs. There are husbands who, indifferent as they are to any words about God, will be captivated by your life of holy beauty.”
1 Peter 3:1-2 (NIV)
“Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.”
– Sheela
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