In September I had a meeting with an African Tim had met, and formed a friendship with. Over the past few years a storm was tearing apart our marriage. During the course of the storm if anyone wanted to talk to me, argue with me, discuss with me, or say whatever they needed to say about our marriage, I would give them time and space. A couple days before my 50th birthday, I received a text from this African. (I will refer to them as 'the visitor' because they informed me it was all God's doing, and to leave them out of it. With that being said, I will leave their name out of this and just call them 'the visitor'.) Tim knew the visitor was in the country, but had no idea they wanted to meet with me. I felt their intention was to talk about mine and Tim's relationship. I didn't answer right away because I was busy. I intended on answering later, but forgot. The next day I received a phone call from the visitor. They requested we meet, and said they had a word from God. I agreed to meet, and we met at Cracker Barrel the next day. When we met, the visitor took the opportunity to pray right away. We began talking, and shortly after was interrupted by our waitress wanting to take our order. Once the order was taken, the talking resumed. I don't remember all that was said. However, there were two things I do remember about the conversation: 1. The visitor was persistent in telling me the battle was not between Tim and I, but was a battle between God and satan. 2. The visitor was persistent in me agreeing to let Tim move back into our house. #2 was so difficult for me to agree to at first I said 'no'. The visitor didn't budge. The battle they were fighting was for God, and they wouldn't give up. The visitor even made the offer to get in the floor and beg, if needed. I begrudgingly agreed to his request. Our food had arrived earlier, and had grown cold. We ate and visited more. After eating he prayed again, and gave all the praise and glory to God. We left Cracker Barrel with the understanding that I would call Tim first chance I had and tell him the good news. I was hesitant, but the visitor was very excited. I had to drive the visitor across town. As we were driving, my cell phone started ringing. Who do you think would call? It was Tim. I showed it to the visitor, but didn't expect what he said. "Answer it, and tell him the good news." I couldn't believe what he was saying. Was he expecting me to tell Tim to move back into the house, while he listened? Yes. I answered the phone, hesitantly. The words felt like glue in my throat. The visitor evidently could see beyond our current circumstances, and was obedient to the task God had given. I was still stuck in the past with all the hurt feelings, and disappointments. I couldn't see past all that 'stuff', and my selfishness. With the words flowing out of my mouth, the receiver of my conversation had grown quiet. In 30+ years of marriage, I had never known my husband to be at a loss of words. Quiet frankly, Tim was speechless. If our relationship had been in a better place, I would have fallen out of the truck laughing so hard at his speechlessness. As we talked I could hear the visitor behind me saying 'praise God', and 'yes Lord'. His triumphant, joyful feelings could be felt in the words he was saying. Tim and I spoke for only a couple minutes, and made arrangements to meet where he was working.
I stopped to drop off the visitor at a church, where he was meeting someone. The visitor asked me to come in, and tell the good news to a mutual friend. We went inside, met the friend, told the good news, went to the sanctuary, knelt down at the podium, the three of us held hands, and prayed. It was a moment worthy of being included in my baby book. Wiping away tears, I left to go find Tim.
Our initial greeting was a feeling of hesitancy, but also a feeling of relief. The storm we'd been going thru had us both battered and damaged, but the hope before us lifted our spirits enough we managed to share some hugs and kisses. We are slowly putting our relationship back together. We still struggle, almost daily. It is a gradual process, but with God's help we will be victorious.
The visitor continues to encourage me during the restoration. Here are some text sent to me by the visitor in the days following our meeting. I have been blessed and encouraged by them.
Note to self: You have to fight for what is yours.
Note to self: Fight on my knees, and don't give up.
Note to self: Pray more than I talk with Tim, and let prayers become my talk.
If only every marriage could have such a visitor at a time of crisis, our world would be a better place. God knew my hard heart needed the persistency of this visitor. Listen, Listen, Listen.....You have to fight for what is yours. Fight on your knees, and don't give up. Pray more than you talk, and let prayers become your talk.
Neither of us are perfect people, but we are purchased people (paid for in full at Calvary).
