RESTORED Marriage Testimony: “He Extended His Hand To Me”

♕Today's Promise: “When You did awesome things for which we did not look, You came down, The mountains shook at Your presence.” Isaiah 64:3

 

 

 

Kateleen, how did your restoration journey actually begin?

My restoration journey truly began the day I hit rock bottom. I had tried everything in my own strength: talking, crying, pleading, controlling… but nothing changed. It was in almost two years ago, when I discovered my earthly husband’s (Jonah) infidelity with a colleague, that everything collapsed. Yet, it was there, in that chaos, that the Lord extended His hand to me. I then understood that He was my true Husband, the One who would never betray me.

As I read testimonies of restored women and discovered resources like those from RMI, I decided to lay everything at His feet and begin a true relationship with Him. It was no longer about saving my marriage but about saving my soul. My restoration began when I stopped fighting for what I wanted and started desiring only His will.

Kateleen, how did God change your situation as you sought Him wholeheartedly?

One of the hardest moments was when I discovered Jonah’s betrayal. It felt like my world was falling apart. I no longer knew who I was or how to move forward. I cried in silence, feeling rejected, humiliated, lost. But it was precisely in that moment that God carried me. In my darkest nights, He comforted me with His Word and with love songs that seemed to be directed straight to me.

Kateleen, what were the most difficult times that God helped you through?

Another very hard moment was when I had to let go of everything — my dreams of a perfect family, my illusions — to surrender myself entirely to Him. It was in those moments that I felt His strongest love. He taught me to no longer look at man, but to raise my eyes to Him alone.

Kateleen, what was the “turning point” of your restoration?

The turning point came when I stopped praying for Jonah to return and started praying for the Lord to become my everything. I stopped fighting for my marriage and began to rest in His arms. I surrendered my rights, my expectations, and my need for control. It was when I let go that heaven opened. The Lord became my Husband, my refuge, my daily joy. And that’s when the transformation began in me — and He was finally free to move around me.

Tell us HOW it happened, Kateleen? Did Jonah just walk in the front door? Did you suspect or could you tell you were close to being restored?

We were both invited to his cousin’s wedding. Throughout the evening, I stayed at a distance, calm and quiet, letting God lead. But my beloved Lord gently nudged me to go toward Jonah. So, without forcing anything, we simply interacted the way we used to—naturally, without tension.

He had already confided in me that he was having problems with the other woman, that he could no longer live a double life, and that he deeply missed his family. That night, we had a real conversation—honest and peaceful. And since then... he has stayed home.

What principles, from God's Word (or through our resources), did the Lord teach you during this trial, Kateleen? Would you recommend any of our resources in particular that helped you?

The Lord taught me to be silent and to let Him speak on my behalf—to not judge, to not retaliate, but to remain still while He fought for me (Exodus 14:14). He also taught me to trust Him in the silence, to choose Him daily even when nothing seemed to change on the outside. I discovered the beauty of total surrender, of unconditional obedience, and of unconditional love.

Yes, I strongly recommend "How God Can and Will Restore Your Marriage" by Erin Thiele. This book completely changed the way I viewed my trial. I was also strengthened by the testimonies of restored women, the lessons from the online course, and the daily encouragement from the EncouragingWomen blog.

In addition, the books A Wise Woman and Finding the Abundant Life helped me understand how to be a woman after God's own heart, and how to live a rich and full life regardless of outward circumstances. Living the Abundant Life deepened my understanding of the freedom God desires for us—freedom from limiting mindsets. Finally, Poverty Mentality helped me change the way I think, to let go of mindsets that were holding me back, and to adopt the mindset of abundance in the Lord.

These resources led me into a deep, intimate relationship with the Lord—which is, in itself, the most beautiful restoration of all.

Do you have favorite Bible verses that you would like to pass on to women reading your Testimonies? Promises that He gave you?

Verses That Carried Me Through My Restoration

Yes, there were several verses that deeply touched my heart during this trial and reminded me of God’s promises.

The first one is Psalm 23:1: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
This verse taught me to trust God to provide for all my needs—emotional, spiritual, and physical. No matter what I was going through, He was there to guide me and restore me.

Another verse I often meditated on was Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
This promise of His constant presence and help encouraged me daily to keep going and not give up.

Isaiah 64:3 (in some versions, verse 2) also had a powerful impact on me: “When You did awesome things we did not expect, You came down, and the mountains trembled before You.”
This verse reminded me that God can intervene in supernatural ways and do things beyond our imagination. It gave me hope and confidence that even when everything seems impossible, God can move mightily to restore us and fulfill His will.

Another precious verse was Habakkuk 3:13: “You came out to deliver Your people, to save Your anointed one. You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness, You stripped him from head to foot.”
This verse reminded me that God is a victorious God who always defends those who belong to Him. His power to save and restore is infinite, and nothing can stop His plan for us.

Lastly, Philippians 4:6-7 became a cornerstone for me:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds.”
This is where I learned to lay down my worries, fears, and struggles at the Lord's' feet, and to experience the kind of peace that can only come from Him.

These verses and promises guided me throughout my journey of restoration, and I truly believe they can encourage other women as well—to rest fully in God's love and faithfulness.

Either way, Kateleen, what kind of encouragement would you like to leave women with, in conclusion?

The Encouragement I Would Like to Leave for Women:

Dear Ladies, I want to remind you that God has never forgotten you and that He knows every detail of your life. No matter what trials you are going through, know that His love for you is unshakable and that He has a plan of restoration for each one of you.

Let go, let go, let go! Stop focusing on the situation; don’t try to fix what you can’t control. Don’t try to ask your husband questions or manage things on your own. Speak to your HH (Heavenly Husband) every day in your heart. Don’t seek to please men, but God. You are already precious in His eyes, and it is He who works behind the scenes to orchestrate your restoration.

Challenges will come, that’s certain, but I assure you: just stay still and let God handle it. Don’t panic; trust God, even in moments of doubt. As a dear friend once told me: “Drink your coconut juice while your Heavenly Husband works.” It is in peace and trust that you will see God fulfill His work in your life.

Trust God with your finances. Give Him what belongs to Him—your tithe. It’s not just a financial matter, it’s a matter of faith. By giving to God, you are showing Him that you trust His ability to provide for all your needs. He is the provider of all things and He will never let you lack anything.

After your husband returns, keep seeking your Heavenly Husband. Don’t let the trials of life pull you away from God. Go to your crisis corner—even if you can’t pray, praise the Lord. Praise is a powerful weapon in difficult times; it draws the presence of God and helps you stay focused on Him. I highly recommend praise in times of crisis, because it opens the door to healing and restoration. No matter the challenge, God is always there, working in your heart and in your marriage.

I also want to thank my ePartner, 🎓Ednah, for her presence, her support, and her prayers. She has been a true channel of peace and encouragement on this journey.

And to all the women who will read this: do not be afraid and do not let worry dominate you any longer. I have understood that the next step after restoration is to rely solely on Him. We can ask Him for anything, because He has chosen to make us His bride. He has also kept His grace and favor for us. He is praying to the Father for you to be reunited with your complete family, just as He did for me.

I give glory to our beloved Lord who led me to RMI. Thank you to Erin Thiele, who opened this path toward the Heavenly Husband. Thanks also to Adina, Janine, Yvonne, Marta… May God bless you all abundantly.

Remember, in every trial, God is with you and is preparing you for a deep transformation. Stay in His peace and let Him complete the work He began in you