I would like to introduce you guys to one of my best friends, Amy.
We met when we were 14 and she moved from Michigan to California and we have been friends ever since.
You know these "heart friends" as I like to call them, are so rare and beautiful.
The kind of friend you don't have to explain your background too because you were THERE, walking through it together!
The kind of friend who is different enough form you to challenge you, but enough like you to understand you.
The kind of friend that you know will always be your friend, no matter how many miles come between us.
Amy has had a rough journey through adult life. One many of you may be able to relate to. So I share part of her story with you so that you can feel encouraged and perhaps so that you can encourage her as well. The way she trusts God in such pain I admire deeply, she is one of the strongest women I have ever met, and her journey in this chapter is still lingering, much longer than any of us ever expected.
I will let her share in part...
Here I am. This day. This moment. This place in life. God has shown up, worked in and proven Himself to me in my life in exuberant ways. Yet, this day, in these pictures, here I am struggling to find contentment and peace in my current situation. I realize everyone struggles. This is not new. But I also think I don't need to. I am doing all I can and I have a relationship that I trust with the God who I really believe has power over everything, enem my current situation. Just like any other relationship, you build up trust until you you have no reason to think the other person does not have good intentions or will come through. This is God to the umpteenth degree. He, unlike, humans, really does always have good intentions and really will come through! Not always in the way we think; but if we are willing to adjust our desires and preconceived notions to see His thoughts, we will see that He is there. In the good and bad. He always is. So if we can trust humans, why not God? I do.
Here's the story: I was supposed to be legally divorced in three weeks. As awful as that sounds, that has turned into a joyful occurrence for me. It has been a long road and being married to someone who doesn't want you is miserable.It will be three years on Halloween since my husband dropped me off at my parents house, thanking them for taking care of me now and sped off. I have experienced God heal, restore and rebuild my life back in the three years since then. And His unbelievable way has blown me away!
But not being legally divorced has slowed down and flat out stopped areas of my life. In a small minute way it feels like slavery. I am bound to someone and that prevents me from having freedoms that those around me have. So legally being divorced is the last snip to end this 11 year period of my life with this man and move on. We are on our third attempt to finalize this and I have been reserved on my hope. Yet with three weeks remaining til the date they had given , I was starting to feel anticipation.
This week my lawyer got a hold of me and said there may be a problem. November 17 may still work but the court made a mistake, they need a letter from my husband and then they will either grant the divorce or decide that we need to re-file, putting life on hold for another six months.
I heard that news on Friday but with work and plans, I had not had time to absorb it. Friday night I broke down, reliving what has happened and feeling the disappointment and real hold this may throw my life back into. I prayed with my brother in law and sister and my friend, Christina on Saturday morning. Then I ran down to Laguna, desperate to just sit on the beach the entire afternoon with God, talking to Him, trying to absorb and sit with this.
Please pray. This news has drained me. I feel wrung out, more than the last two times it happened. I do trust God. And that makes the difference. That is why I can keep going. I have a relationship Him and have seen Him hold me through my seperation and divorce, as well as throughout my life of knowing Him. I know that He is not surprised by timing. Please pray that November 17 still can be the date. But if not, that I will have renewed strength, joy and still trust. Thanks!
If you would like to write Amy a word of encouragement please email her at amstoria@yahoo.com
4 beautiful responses:
How beautiful and moving!! What a journey she is having to go through. She shows amazing strength!!
That is so incredibly brave! Her faith in God blows me away! Thank you both!
"He, unlike, humans, really does always have good intentions and really will come through! Not always in the way we think; but if we are willing to adjust our desires and preconceived notions to see His thoughts, we will see that He is there"
This really struck me. This story is all about trust. It is so hard to understand why things happen the way they do, why we are subjected to the pains we deal with each and every day. I know that I have had moments where I just cannot understand why God would allow such pain. I think God gives us situations that are meant to strengthen us, help us grow, and give us the opportunity to truly let go of ourselves, our wants, our desires...to truly just listen to Him and let Him lead. You're in my prayers sweet girl!
WOW, this it totally moving.. LOVELY post.. In my prayers and close to heart ..
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