♕Today's Promise: "And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! They were overwhelmed and totally amazed.” M542
Danica, how did your Restoration Journey actually begin?
My desert started when after a fight, my husband, Nathan decided to leave the house, at first I thought it would be a silly fight and that soon he would return when he was calmer, but I was wrong! Before then, there were almost no fights, we always did things together, he always treated me with great affection, so when I realized that he really decided to separate, my world collapsed.
Nathan started to have a single life and then got involved with a woman, each day that passed, he changed more and more. He was no longer the same person.
I started going to church when I was 6 years old when my mother was converted, when I turned 18 years old I walked away from the ways of the Lord and went to live my life. I met Nathan at 27 years old, he was from a Catholic family.
How did God change your situation, Danica, as you sought Him wholeheartedly?
When I was devastated and the ground gave in beneath me, I went on my knees and cried to God for help. At that very moment, He came to meet me and an inexplicable force took over my heart to fight for my marriage. Everyone that saw me thought: “the marriage didn't work out, life had to go on, she was blind”.
One day when I got home from work I noticed that Nathan had gone to our house (he still had the key) I saw that the TV in the living room was not there and that he had taken it to his mother's house where he was living. I got very angry, I left enraged to file a complaint with the police, but I instead found myself at the door of the pastor's house of the church that my mother attended.
I was a little ashamed of the situation but as I was already there I decided to talk. The pastor heard me and prayed for me and I left there with a peace and on the way back home, that strength came again for me to fight for my marriage. I understood that somehow God was calling me, but I didn't understand very well what was happening.
One day crying a lot I started to mess with the computer, looking for some testimony of restored marriage. That was when i came across this ministry. I started reading the book, How God Can and Will Restore Your Marriage. The more I read, the more my eyes were opened. It felt like someone opened a box where all my sins were hidden, my heart was broken and longing for more and more of God.
During this period, I discovered that God hates divorce and that in the Word, there is no second marriage. I confess that I was terrified, for me it was the end. I thought I would never have a family again, but as I went deeper and deeper into the Word, I learned to rest, my soul was filled with an inexplicable peace. I learned that for God nothing is impossible, He became My heavenly Husband.
What principles, from God's Word (or through our resources), did the Lord teach you during this trial, Danica?
The Principles I learned from the word of God were to be totally dependent on the Lord, to trust and have faith even when in my eyes does not see anything happening. The principle of "Letting Go" is fundamental for those who are in this process of restoration, with the help of the Lord it is possible to leave everything that separates us from our greatest love, the Almighty.
What were the most difficult times that God helped you through, Danica?
There were three very difficult situations that the Lord helped me through. The first one was about my house, when we separated. Nathan only took the TV and his car, leaving the house with all the furniture for me, however, some family members and close friends advised me to look for a lawyer, because I was in danger of losing my house, my head was racing, I couldn't think of anything. That's when I closed my ears to what everyone was saying and went to hear My Heavenly Husband in prayers at dawn. That's when I felt it in my heart to dismiss the lawyer and trust my Beloved.
The second situation was when Nathan came to me on my birthday, he asked to come home. I accepted, however, he only stayed for 1 week and left again, for the second time I felt my world collapsing. I cried out to God all the time. After 2 months I found out that he was living with another woman. I started to seek God for an answer, because I wanted to let go, but I couldn't, I knew I had to let go. A few months later Nathan filed for a divorce, when I received the news my heart was at peace, I knew that God was in control. On the day of signing the divorce papers he took the other woman. I was devastated but I held back, my trust was in God. When we went to sign it, I discovered that he had given up the house with all the furniture, Glory to God! I went home sad but confident that from that moment on it was just me and my Heavenly Husband.
The third situation was when one morning when I was going to the market, I met an acquaintance and she told me that Nathan had married the other woman and she was pregnant. This news fell like a bombshell, I tried very hard for her not to notice that I was destroyed. I said goodbye to her and I didn't end up going to the market at all. I returned home in tears, because having a child was a dream of ours. I hadn't been able to get pregnant. When I got home I lay in bed crying a lot and questioned God and then suddenly I felt at peace and a voice told me to turn on the radio. I obeyed, when turning on the radio the announcer was talking about Jairus' daughter and the message that he conveyed was that even if everything was dead, when the Lord arrives, He resurrects. I understood that at that moment, I was embraced by my Heavenly Husband and I could rejoice with His Sweet Presence.
Danica, what was the “turning point” of your restoration?
The turning point was when I really let go, I was in the best phase of my life. My Heavenly Husband completed me and completes me in everything. I completely took the focus off the restoration of my marriage. I knew that if it was in God's plans and everything would happen in His time. I took care of myself, I took care of the house and my work. I bought a car, I kept myself physically active and I took some trips. Honestly, I couldn't even imagine myself married again. I was very happy that it was just me and MY Heavenly Beloved.
Tell us HOW it happened, Danica? Did Nathan just walk in the front door? Danica, did you suspect or could you tell you were close to being restored?
Well! the moment arrived! The moment determined by God! One day as I was parking my car in the garage at home after a day of work, I took out my cell phone and I saw that there was a message. When I opened it to read, I was surprised to see it was from Nathan asking if I was okay. I didn't know what to answer. After a few hours I answered the message and he continued. We started talking, until he invited me to dinner and said he needed to talk to me.
I accepted the invitation and the next weekend we went to dinner. During dinner we talked a lot and he spoke about the desire he had to come back home and if I would accept him back. We started dating, we received support from our family members. Everyone's joy was unbelievable. It seemed that they couldn't believe what was happening.
We got married and after the wedding, we hosted a dinner at our house for some guests and Nathan came home with all his things. It was a day of great joy. I received my miracle! I glorify God a lot for restoring this marriage after almost 6 years of separation during which there was a divorce, another marriage and a daughter from this other marriage.
When Nathan came to see me he was already divorced from other woman. She was already in another relationship. God made the impossible, possible. Because for Him, Nothing is Impossible, all honor and glory is for HIM.
Would you recommend any of our resources in particular that helped you, Danica?
The materials that helped me were the books How God Can and Will Restore Your Marriage and A Wise Woman, but I recommend all the materials.
Would you be interested in helping encourage other women, Danica?
Yes.
Either way, Danica, what kind of encouragement would you like to leave women with, in conclusion?
Hear only the voice of God, obey His Holy Word and don't give up on your marriage, even if it seems hopeless. God is the God of the impossible. Believe with all your heart and don't forget, everything is in His time.
It is worth waiting on the Lord! When victory comes, you will be surprised and amazed to witness every promise being fulfilled in your life, your heart will be filled with joy and gratitude to the Lord!
