There I was sitting in a too big house with a too small family, holding my head in my hands wondering about my American dream. Where was my hope for a healthy and happy marriage for my sons? How would the demise of a two parent home change the future course of life for myself and my sons?
In the first few waking moments of my broken truth, the reality challenged my beliefs, my future, my dreams for my sons and left uncertainty and a new normal in its place. A normal that I wasn’t ready to embrace as the daunting task of raising two teenage sons loomed big. Plagued by self-doubt and a lack of confidence in my skill set as a woman raising soon to be men, I grasped at whatever truth I could find. Truth in watching the success of those around me, leaning on my brothers to lead the way as mentors and men willing to lead men, and eventually relying on God to teach me all about a Father’s love.
God met me at the intersection of brokenness and hope and showed me the way. God also led my sons to reach out and lead me. You see.. my sons reached out to God and embraced His promises as I was still finding my way. My sons, considered teenagers by age, became men because they accepted Christ as their Father. Nothing remained the same because the Father of all welcomed two new sons into His fold as His own children. Their example led me to God and in the embracing of allowing His story to become mine, I learned how to handle this new life.
I am honored to share my story at Holly’s place today for her weekly Testimony Tuesday installment. Please join me there to read the rest of my story.
Blessings,
Mary
Blessed to be linking with:
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā 
Ā Ā Ā Ā 
Susan B Mead for #DanceWithJesus linkup
I still love your sharings. You have a testimony that needs to be heard, my friend. š love you!
Thank you! I love how God calls us out to do the hard even when we try to ignore it. He has been working on me and it is all good. Thank you for stopping by and for always lifting me up with your words.
Mary, those two boys became men…and led me to God.
POWERFUL. Thank you for sharing at #DanceWithJesus. I pray you join the dance each week–we need to hear you “speak” through your stories. Hugs! Susan
I am blessed and honored to be the mom of my two sons. They keep me grounded, they lead me and encourage me and day after day I am given the gift of being called mom. I love your openness and was drawn in as soon as you began your own story. Thank you for hosting such a beautiful link up and for your sweet encouragement.
What a testimony to God’s faithfulness in the lives of your sons! May God continue to be with you and bless you on your journey. I’m visiting from Susan Mead’s Friday linkup.
Thank you for your sweet encouragement! I am blessed that you stopped by here today. I pray for all that God blessed us on our journeys! Have a wonderful week!
Thank you for sharing your story. How powerful. Hope is there, even when it seems fleeting. Praise God.
Hope is always there when we have God in our lives. I am blessed that you stopped by to leave me some encouragement. Have a wonderful week!
Mary, thank you for your beauty in the sharing. I have been working on a post that is a hard one for me, but you have given me the encouragement I needed to finish it. Thank you.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Linda- I am so glad to hear that God is instilling courage in you to write the hard words that God challenges us to write. I will be praying for you in this process. Have a blessed week!
Praising God for you, Mary, and for your testimony which gives hope to many women. Thanks.
Thank you Sheila! I love how God made me brave to even share this story with others. Thank you for being an encourager of women and especially me! Blessings!
You are the strongest person I know, Mary! When we came back from Spring Break that year and you shared your decision with me, I was amazed at the strength it took to make that decision and face parenting two teenage boys alone. It terrified me to even THINK about making such a life-altering decision, much less to do it. You have certainly been my inspiration these last few years as I struggle with things. Thank you for being there for me…
Lynne-My strength is only because of God. I am blessed beyond measure because God chose me and walks this walk with me. He also has given me such amazing friends who check in with me, support me and love me such as you. I love calling you friend! Stay warm!
I’m excited to stop by Holly’s later to read the rest. I’ve yet to figure out why, but Holly’s site will not open from my work computer. š
Love you, friend.
xoxo
I hope you stop by later! I would love to hear your thoughts! Hugs!
“God met me at the intersection of brokenness and hope and showed me the way.” Our always faithful God meets us. Amazing grace. Thank you for your words.
Yes He does! God shows up just when we need Him but really He was always there and never left our sides. Blessed you stopped by!