As I was sitting in church this weekend, I felt myself sinking deeper and deeper in my seat. The message was deep and hard to listen to because it was laced with truths that cut deep. I watched the other two women I was sitting with also begin the descent into the crevices of their seats. Why was this message so difficult yet so compelling? How do I process the truth spoken by the pastor, but more importantly directly from the heart of God?

Last week, I began looking at the promises of God. I explored how we expect certain routines and rituals as each new season begins. These rituals fill our senses and become the reason why we look forward to each season. We count on the promises of the season to return each year. Just like these familiar rituals, we find God’s promises to be true and constant.

God’s promises can be found throughout scripture. I have read that there are over 7,000 promises from God in the Bible – way too many to tackle here, but some speak louder to me than others and will be explored in the next few weeks. I felt that I needed to start with the promise of rest, but as I was sitting in church something else unfolded.

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Truth comes often and sometimes feels like it has hit you right between the eyes. It fills you with promise while at the same time leaves you questioning how it fits into your neat box of reality. Marriage was the topic of the message this weekend as the fourth week of a series on relationships. Each week as relationships were explored, the pastor always came back to the bottom line – relationships are covenantal and based on truth and grace. As a single, divorced and widowed mom of two sons, the truth that was spoken left me a little breathless. To read a little of my testimony, click here. #Godspromises

[Tweet “Reality comes when the truth causes you to struggle inwardly to fully understand its meaning.”]

As our pastor spoke about marriage, he also touched on divorce. This was the part that had me squirming, but not in a bad way. It allowed the reality of the truth to settle deep and cause an inner struggle. I knew that more processing was needed to understand this struggle. God and I have spent a lot of time on this and how it has affected my own life. Any break in a relationship causes loss and divorce is the perfect example of this. It was hard and not the way I wanted my marriage to end, but with all that said, I value marriage and the importance of a God centered relationship and its importance for our society.

God’s provision in the midst of this struggle was the blessing of two beautiful women, who I happened to sit with (more like God ordained this meeting of the three of us) for the service. God promises that He will provide and in the moment the service ended, this became clear. Our stories are the same but also very different, The common thread is the that for this time of our lives we are single women with children.

[Tweet “God’s provision arrives in the midst of inner struggle when we open our hearts to Him.”]

God teaches us through Matthew that He will provide all we need and being anxious or uncertain will not accomplish anything. He says…

25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:25-33

God showed up in section 200, Row M among three women who needed the gift of time and open ears. Conversation ensued and God entered our hearts as we processed, listened and loved on each other.

God provided and allowed the three of us to leave church with hearts that were not hurting from the sting of the truth, but hearts full of God’s amazing love.

How does God provide for you when you least expect it?

In grace and peace,

Mary

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