My mind wanders around the purpose of the cross.
Knowing I’ll never understand, it seems futile to pursue these thoughts. But in my mind, I press on. I want to fathom why it had to be that way. Couldn’t there have been another option? It goes against all understanding that someone must die so that I would have life.
Yet creation reveals this truth, even in the smallest of ways. Like a momma spider that must languish once she has created her egg sack. Or that daffodil that must die each year in order to produce a more beautiful plant the next.
The hard truth is that sometimes there has to be death, so that new life might be created.
God performs this same kind of “resurrection” in our lives. Sometimes He even allows the death of something that is seemingly good, to bring forth life that is beyond what we can imagine.
If you believe, you will see the glory of God. John 11:40
* * * * *
Sherry was a strong, independent woman. The kind of woman that must have been in those 1950′s textbooks that led up to the women’s lib movement. She was the boss at work and often the boss at home. She knew how to get the job done and really didn’t need any help.
Scott was an angry man, never really dealing with the sudden death of his father. As you might imagine, their marriage was a mess. Throwing in a newborn created the perfect storm. Scott found an escape in the volunteer fire department, which eventually led to years of drunken nights, lousy alibis, and women that weren’t wearing his ring.
To most, this was a marriage destined to fail. Two broken and sinful people. Neither living their lives for God. They might as well sign the divorce papers and move on. Too much damage had been done.
But God didn’t see it that way.
Eventually the lies surfaced and the perfect storm swelled with hurricane force. An affair was revealed and Sherry kicked Scott out. In 2004, she promptly filed for a divorce, despite Scott’s half-hearted pleas. He quit his job and moved out of state.
To most, it would seem that Scott and Sherry’s marriage was completely dead. Certainly by the world’s standards it was. They even had a piece of paper to prove it.
But, it was there in the darkness, at the rock bottom, that God began to pick up the pieces. He began to move in both of their hearts. While Sherry had become a Christian a few years prior to the divorce, she drew closer to God as He began to work in her family. Scott would find himself strategically placed in the path of God’s word many different times until he began to hunger for more. One night, He gave it all to God and the real fun began.
Within a week, the news had reached Sherry and they began doing a Bible study together over the phone. Over time, the couple decided to attend a marriage conference called, A Weekend to Remember.
Despite the horrific brokenness, God began rebuilding their marriage at that conference. It was a powerful time, as their son had the privilege of watching a mom and dad submit to God’s way in marriage. Scott and Sherry remarried in 2007, recreating the covenant that God intended to be forever.
All of the broken pieces were never really put back together. Rather, redesigned by an amazing God who resurrects what is dead and brings NEW life.
No, their marriage wasn’t ever the same. Scott and Sherry allowed God to seep through those broken pieces until His power was evident to every one around them.
Today, they serve together transforming marriages. They lead a marriage ministry at their church, and volunteer for several marriage conferences through Family Life.
You can read more of their testimony here. Or connect with them on Facebook for awesome marriage building posts.
If God can do this, what do you think He can do for you? Believe Him friend. He is mighty in power! He’s in the business of resurrections.
Linking with Better Mom, Raising Arrows, Time Warp Wife, Women Living Well, Good Morning Girls, Raising Homemakers and A Holy Experience
Kim Sorgius
Kim is just a girl, crazy in love with Jesus. She's a single mother of 4, a passionate homeschooler and life-long student. After teaching 8 years in public school, she traded her M.A. in Early Childhood for sippy cups and homeschool co-ops. Kim is the owner and editor of The Homeschool Village and Not Consumed where she encourages others to rest victoriously in the hands of God, rather than allowing life's difficult circumstances to consume.
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no wonder you were excited! A very inspiring and encouraging story of what God can do . . .I wish these stories were talked about more on the news and in magazines – I don’t think many people even believe that God can do such a marvelous thing! Thanks Kim.
I agree. I read this stuff in so many places, but you have to dig to find it. More people need to know how awesome our God is!
I needed to read this today, as I know someone in the dark throes of divorce. I refuse to give up on this couple, and thinking of a marriage coming back in terms of resurrection gives me lots more strength.
My husband and I attended a weekend to remember and it made our good marriage even better. I recommend the event to everyone!
Thank you for praying for them, Kim. It can be so hard to watch someone go through this, but God is so faithful to help us when we are weak!
I needed this today. I’m near the edge of leaving, and am in marriage counselling with our pastor. There’s many times I want to walk away, give hubby his second divorce, and go on my merry way as a single parent like I’ve been before.
It’s so hard friend, but I truly believe that God desires for us to keep our marriage covenants. And if He commands that, He will provide what we need to get through it. Praying for you. Please send me a private message if I can encourage you any further. And come back tomorrow…I’ve got another story that you will love!
I can’t even imagine being in their situation, and yet I have read so many people’s testimony’s of healing and “resurrecting” of marriages. God’s more powerful than we can imagine. There is no way I (in my flesh) would be able to forgive something like that.
Found you through WLW, I’d love it if you’d link up with my blog today http://www.lessonsfromivy.com/2012/04/being-content-in-mothering.html
You are right. It’s certainly not possible in our flesh. But God…makes all things possible!
What a wonderful story!
This gave me goosebumps! I love hearing how God transforms marriages. Thank you for sharing.
I really needed this as my spouse has just filed for divorce last week. Everyone has said to just give up and go on with my life and at times I feel the same way!!! Yet, I feel like God is still telling me to hold on he is going to get the glory from my situation!!! I am so glad I stumbled across this article!0.
I am glad you found us. Have you checked out the restorations page? http://www.notconsumed.com/restorations/
My heart is to help women walk through this fire. I hope you will find encouragement here. It is a difficult journey, but one with great rewards. He is faithful to what He has promised, friend. Believe Him!
A positive (though possibly speculative) case can be made that
male-female relationships similar to marital bonds can continue between
the redeemed into the next life. This may then also imply a romantic,
physical or even sexual aspect in such a relationship. This positive
case is made on the rezfamilies website (go to google and search for
‘rezfamilies’, or just http://sites.google.com/site/rezfamilies/)