Tag: marriage

Forgiveness

If I’m honest, forgiveness didn’t come easily after my divorce. I prayed for reconciliation for months, holding onto hope even when things seemed impossible. But when my ex-wife married someone else so soon after the divorce, I felt the weight of betrayal all over again. The anger, hurt, and confusion were overwhelming, and I didn’t know how to let go.

One night, I was reading Matthew 18, where Peter asks Jesus how many times we should forgive someone. Jesus’ answer, “not seven times, but seventy-seven times”, hit me hard. I realized I was putting limits on forgiveness, trying to justify my pain instead of surrendering it to God.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean what happened was okay. It doesn’t mean the hurt instantly disappears. But it does mean releasing the other person from the debt they owe you and trusting God to heal the wounds.

I’ve learned that forgiveness is as much about obedience as it is about freedom. The more I held onto bitterness, the more it consumed me. But when I began to truly forgive, I felt the weight lift. It wasn’t a one-time decision… it was a daily surrender, asking God to soften my heart and fill me with His grace.

Now, when my daughter comes to me upset about something, I try to model that same forgiveness. I remind her that holding onto anger only hurts us in the end. Together, we pray for those who hurt us, trusting God to work in ways we can’t see.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the forgiveness You freely give through Jesus. Help me to extend that same grace to others, even when it’s hard. Heal my heart and teach me to trust You with the pain. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Comeback: A New Year, A New Season

Scripture: “Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.” (Micah 7:8, NLT)

As the new year begins, there’s one word that keeps rising in my spirit… COMEBACK.

Not the kind that makes headlines. Not the kind that demands applause. But the kind that’s quiet and holy… the kind that happens after the healing, after the surrender, after the silence.

2024 was a year of sitting still, of deep work, of trusting God in the in-between.
2025 is the year to rise. To move forward. To say yes again.

A Comeback in Ministry
I have struggled and questioned whether I’d ever feel ready again. Whether the bruises I carried disqualified me from being used. But the truth is, ministry was never about perfection, it was about obedience.

Ministry isn’t what I do. It’s who I am.

There’s a fire inside me that never fully went out. God’s call didn’t disappear when the pain came in. The Word says, “God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29, NIV)

And again, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6, NIV)

This year, I’m walking fully back into what He’s always called me to.

I’ll continue to write. To pray. To encourage. To teach.
The Priceless Minute will be a space where honesty meets hope, and where truth is shared in love.
This is the year I stop tiptoeing around my calling and step into it boldly.

A Comeback in Love
I have really wrestled with this one. I’ve asked God, “Will I ever be ready? Will I ever trust again? Can someone love and nurture my kids? Is there anyone who shares my passion for life and for the Lord?”

The truth is… I do believe in love. I do believe in the sanctity of marriage, the beauty of covenant, commitment, and Christ at the center.
I believe God restores what’s been broken, even if it looks different than I imagined.
I believe He still writes beautiful stories when we surrender the pen.

This year, I’m walking forward with an open heart. Not rushing, not forcing, but no longer closed off. I believe there’s someone who will walk with me, pray with me, and serve alongside me. Someone who knows the cost of ministry, but also the joy of it. A partner, not a fixer, not a replacement, but a woman of God who wants the same things I do: Jesus first, family strong, purpose fulfilled.

I’m not looking back. I’m trusting forward.

A Comeback for My Vision
The vision didn’t die… it was just waiting.

The Priceless Minute will launch and grow, becoming a space to write, reflect, and encourage.
The prayer center, called Kneel 24, is already in motion.
And the church? Still being prayed over, but the fire is there.

I’ve dreamed about a place where prayer never stops. Where people are discipled deeply. Where the broken find healing and the faithful find purpose. That’s not just a dream. It’s a calling. And this year, I’m taking steps toward it again.

I’m not chasing titles. I’m chasing obedience.

Rising After the Fall
One of the most powerful things about a comeback is that it doesn’t pretend the fall didn’t happen. It simply refuses to let the fall be the end of the story.

I’ve fallen. I’ve wept. I’ve sat in the dark.
But God has always been my light.

He’s taken ashes and begun turning them into beauty.
He’s taken mourning and begun giving me joy.
He’s taken despair and taught me to worship anyway.

“To all who mourn… He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.” (Isaiah 61:3, NLT)

This is the year I wear the crown. Not because I’ve arrived, but because I’ve survived. Because He is faithful. Because He is worthy. And because I believe this next season will be full of joy, purpose, and praise.

Bible Promise:
“The Lord will restore the splendor of Jacob… for the destroyers have laid them waste.” (Nahum 2:2, NLT)

Reflection Questions:

  1. What area of your life is God calling you to reclaim this year?
  2. What would a spiritual comeback look like in your heart, your home, or your calling?

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being the God of comebacks. For not giving up on me. For walking with me through the fire and never leaving my side. I give You 2025. I lay my calling, my heart, and my dreams at Your feet. Lead me boldly into this next season, and help me walk in confidence, not in shame. I pray for every person reading this who needs a comeback of their own. Remind them that You restore, redeem, and rewrite stories.
I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise.
It’s in Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen & Amen.

Faithfulness in Marriage and Commitment

Jesus raises the standard for faithfulness, showing that God’s design for marriage is sacred and lifelong. His words challenge us to view commitment as more than a legal contract, it’s a covenant before God that reflects His love and faithfulness.

As someone who has walked through the pain of divorce, these verses hit deeply. I’ve seen how broken promises can lead to hurt, but I’ve also experienced God’s healing and redemption. Jesus’ teaching isn’t meant to condemn… it’s meant to restore. He calls us to honor the commitments we’ve made and to seek His grace when we fall short.

Faithfulness in marriage begins with faithfulness to God. Whether you’re married, single, or divorced, we’re all called to reflect His love in our relationships. By trusting Him and seeking His wisdom, we can honor His design and experience His blessings.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you honor God’s design for commitment in your relationships?
  2. What steps can you take to reflect His faithfulness in your life?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness and for teaching me the sacredness of commitment. Help me to honor You in my relationships and to reflect Your love and grace in all I do. Teach me to trust in Your healing and redemption when I fall short. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Closing the Chapter

Six months ago, I faced a moment that marked the true end of reconciliation… my ex-wife remarried. I had held onto hope for a long time, even through the pain, thinking maybe God would bring restoration. But that door officially closed on August 12, 2024.

At first, the finality of it all felt overwhelming. I wondered why God hadn’t answered my prayers the way I’d hoped. But in the weeks and months that followed, I began to see His hand in ways I couldn’t before.

Isaiah 43:18-19 reminds us not to dwell on the past because God is always doing a new thing. That verse became an anchor for me. It helped me shift my focus from what was lost to what God was building in my life.

Today, I’m in a healthier, stronger place. I’ve learned that letting go isn’t about giving up… it’s about trusting God with the future. I’ve found joy in the present and hope for what’s ahead.

If you’re holding onto something that’s already gone, I encourage you to release it to God. Trust Him to do a new thing in your life. His plans are always better than anything we could imagine.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching me to let go of the past and to trust You with the future. Help me to see the new things You are doing in my life and to walk forward in faith and joy. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Communication

In my marriage, one of the most significant challenges was communication. I wish I could say I always spoke with grace and patience, but there were times when frustration or pride got the better of me. I’ve replayed certain arguments in my mind, wondering how things might have turned out if I had chosen different words… or simply listened more.

After my divorce, God began to show me the power of words in a deeper way. I started noticing how my tone, even more than my words, impacted our daughter. If I came across as short or distracted, she would withdraw. But when I was intentional, looking her in the eyes and speaking with kindness, I could see her light up.

One night, after a particularly hectic day, I tucked our daughter into bed and asked her how she was feeling. “I’m okay, Daddy,” she said quietly, but I could tell she wasn’t. Instead of rushing to fix things, I simply said, “I’m here if you want to talk.” A few minutes passed, and then the floodgates opened. She shared how she felt caught between two homes and how hard it was to adjust.

That moment taught me an invaluable lesson: sometimes the most important part of communication is simply being present. Whether it’s with our children, our friends, or God, the act of truly listening can bring healing and connection.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching me the value of communication. Help me to listen more and speak with grace and wisdom. May my words build others up and reflect Your love. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Joseph: Trusting God in the Pit

Joseph’s story has always been a reminder to me that God is faithful, even in the darkest moments. Sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, and forgotten in prison, Joseph endured years of pain and rejection. Yet through it all, he trusted God’s plan.

When my marriage ended, I felt like I was in my own version of the pit. The dreams I had for my family, ministry, and future seemed shattered. I couldn’t see how any good could come from the pain. But like Joseph, I’ve learned that God is always working, even when we can’t see it.

Joseph didn’t let his circumstances define him. He remained faithful, using his gifts wherever he was… even in prison. Eventually, God raised him up, and Joseph became second-in-command in Egypt. The very brothers who betrayed him ended up bowing before him, fulfilling the dreams Joseph had years before.

Looking back on my own journey, I can see how God has been faithful. He’s used the pain to refine me, deepen my faith, and open doors I never would have imagined. Like Joseph, I’ve learned to trust that what the enemy meant for harm, God can use for good.

If you’re in a pit right now, hold on to this truth: God isn’t finished with your story. Trust Him, stay faithful, and watch how He brings beauty out of the ashes.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me through Joseph’s story that You are always working, even in the darkest moments. Help me to trust Your plan and remain faithful, knowing that You can turn any situation for good. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Learning to Trust Again

Trust is one of the hardest things to rebuild after it’s been broken. Whether it’s a friendship, a marriage, or a parent-child relationship, betrayal leaves scars that can make us hesitant to open our hearts again.

I see this in our son. Losing my ex-wife wasn’t just about her absence… it was about the trust that was broken when she chose not to show up for him. He says it doesn’t bother him, but I can see how it’s affected him. When someone we care about lets us down, it’s easy to build walls to protect ourselves from future hurt.

I’ve been there too. After my divorce, I found myself questioning whether I could fully trust anyone again. But through that season, God taught me an important truth: Trusting people is risky, but trusting Him never is.

Proverbs 3:5-6 became my anchor during that time. It reminded me that even when I couldn’t understand why things happened the way they did, I could still trust God’s plan. He doesn’t promise to shield us from pain, but He does promise to guide us through it and use it for good.

For our son, and for all of us, rebuilding trust starts with God. When we place our faith in Him, He gives us the courage to let our guard down and open our hearts again. Not recklessly, but wisely, in a way that honors Him.

If you’re struggling to trust after being hurt, take it to God. Let Him rebuild what’s been broken, one step at a time.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for being a God I can always trust. Help me, and those I care about, to bring our broken trust to You, knowing that You are faithful to heal and restore. Teach us to trust You fully and to open our hearts again in Your timing. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Trusting God’s Timing

Waiting is one of the hardest things to do, especially when you feel like God has promised you something and it hasn’t happened yet. There were countless nights during my separation and divorce when I prayed for reconciliation. I believed God could heal my marriage, and I held onto that hope for months. But as time passed and the situation worsened, I found myself questioning God’s timing. And His plan.

One night, I read Ecclesiastes 3:11. It reminded me that God’s timing isn’t just different from ours; it’s perfect. He sees the whole picture when we can only see a fragment. That verse didn’t erase my pain, but it gave me a new perspective. Instead of asking, “Why hasn’t this happened yet?” I began to pray, “Lord, help me trust Your timing.”

Looking back now, I can see how God used that season to refine me, draw me closer to Him, and prepare me for what was ahead. It wasn’t the answer I expected, but it was the answer I needed.

If you’re in a season of waiting, know that you’re not alone. God is working, even when you can’t see it. Trust that He will make everything beautiful in its time.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that Your timing is perfect, even when it doesn’t align with my own. Help me to trust You in the waiting and to rest in the promise that You are working all things for my good. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Dating vs. Dating for Marriage

Dating in today’s world often feels like a game. An endless cycle of meeting people with no clear direction. But as Christians, dating isn’t just about companionship; it’s about intentionally seeking a partner who aligns with God’s plan for marriage.

When I began dating after my divorce, I had to reevaluate my approach. Was I dating just to fill a void, or was I seeking someone who shared my faith and values? Psalm 127:1 reminded me that if the Lord isn’t at the center of my relationships, my efforts are in vain.

Dating for marriage means being intentional. It’s about seeking God’s guidance, communicating openly about values and goals, and prioritizing spiritual connection. While the process may look different for everyone, the goal remains the same: to honor God in the pursuit of a lifelong partnership.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are your intentions and goals when it comes to dating?
  2. How can you involve God in your relationships from the very beginning?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your design for relationships and marriage. Teach me to seek Your will in my dating journey and to prioritize Your values above all else. Guide me to a partner who loves You and desires to build a Christ-centered relationship. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

When What You Want Doesn’t Happen

I prayed for reconciliation. I prayed for healing. I believed that God could restore my marriage, and I held onto that hope with everything I had. But it didn’t happen. Instead, we ended up divorced. A reality I never thought I’d face.

For a long time, I wrestled with the question: Why, God? I couldn’t understand why He allowed this to happen when I was praying for the exact opposite. It felt like He wasn’t listening or didn’t care.

But as I’ve walked through this journey, God has reminded me that His ways are higher than mine. He sees the bigger picture, even when I can’t. While the outcome wasn’t what I wanted, He has been faithful in teaching me to trust Him with the pieces of my broken dreams.

Watching my children navigate this season has been painful, especially when I’ve seen them experience moments of disappointment and heartache. But it’s also reminded me of the importance of showing them what it means to trust God, even when life doesn’t go the way we planned.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you trust God when His plans don’t align with your desires?
  2. What lessons has He taught you through unmet expectations?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for reminding me that Your ways are higher than mine. Teach me to trust You when life doesn’t go the way I hoped. Help me to find peace in Your plan and to reflect Your faithfulness to my children and those around me. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.