Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Tips For Triumphant Living--Forgive One Another

August 14th, my husband and I celebrated our 37th anniversary. It’s almost too many years to imagine. Even more difficult to imagine is that at one time we weren’t going to make it at all. We’d separated and filed for divorce.

After four turbulent years Greg and I had decided being married to one another was not what we wanted. We’d committed unforgiveable offenses against each other. I was not an ideal wife, far from it. Proverbs 19:13 says, A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping. I was a quarrelsome wife. And I let my husband down in untold ways. Greg was no piece of cake either. He had a foul temper and a wandering eye.

After discovering he’d been unfaithful, we split. Seemingly there was no way for us to succeed as a couple. We had destroyed the love we'd had when we first set out together. After months of tousling, all that was left to do was sign the divorce papers.

But God had another plan, a better plan. He meant to save our marriage. It began with Christ, and he asked us to forgive. During our separation I discovered Jesus and accepted Him as my savior. I was new person and began to pray for my marriage.

After months, we were miraculously reconciled. Greg came to know Christ and has been a man of God ever since. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit were we able to forgive each other. And God restored our love.

I sometimes think about what would have happened if Greg and I had been unwilling to listen to God and to obey Him. I’m sure I’d have no inkling even of where he was or what kind of life he had lived. But God was gracious and because of His love we are still together, and we are in love and looking forward to many more years together. It took a miracle, but here we are, still the two of us.

Is there something you think is unforgiveable? If so, think about all God has forgiven you. What would happen if He couldn’t forgive you? Where would we all be then?

Forgive one another, love one another and good things will come.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

2 comments:

  1. I think before God really uses someone they have to suffer. Your testimony here reminds me of 2 Corinthians 1:4. I bet you never imagined the impact your suffering would have in encouraging others who struggle in this way. I've often thought that next to raising the dead, mending a broken marriage would be the second most amazing feat! You are living proof!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Laura,

    I have that scripture underlined in my Bible. :-)

    God is powerful. Sometimes I think we forget just how Big He is.

    May He bless you,

    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete

ShareThis