♕Today's Promise: "Love is long-suffering, it is benign; love is not envious, love is not boastful, it is not puffed up; he does not do anything improper, he does not seek his own, he does not get irritated, he does not hold a grudge; it does not rejoice in injustice, but rejoices in the truth. He suffers everything, believes everything, expects everything, supports everything. Love never stops being; but prophecies will end, and tongues will cease, and science will end." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Vida, how did your Restoration Journey actually begin?
I started having problems with Raymond 5 years ago. I suspected his adventures, if I could call them that. I suffered a lot and confronted him many times. I was contentious, arrogant, foolish and I decided to emotionally distance myself from him. To the point of thinking that I don't want this marriage anymore.
How did God change your situation, Vida, as you sought Him wholeheartedly?
One time he arrived with lipstick on his shirt and it was where everything was known, his family knew and they told me everything!
I sank into a deep depression. One day I walked aimlessly until I ended up in a church and I entrusted myself to the Lord. I left full of desire to continue fighting for my marriage in spite of everything. I searched the internet and found the book, How God can and Will Restore Your Marriage. It was a blessing!!!
In one day I read the whole book and signed the commitments even though it seemed crazy.
What principles, from God's Word (or through our resources), did the Lord teach you during this trial, Vida?
Some of the principles I learned was, unconditional love and forgiving daily. I realized that I also made many mistakes and this realization was fundamental to my restoration. Seeking God in the early morning, being silent and biting my tongue many times and trusting in the Lord was also an important part of the restoration.
What were the most difficult times that God helped you through, Vida?
At one point I fell back into smoking. It was hard for me to leave such a terrible vice.
It was very difficult for be to be strong. It was something that I had never been able to do. A lot of the times I thought nothing was worth it and then the enemy played with my mind. But the Lord strengthened me and He taught me that with Him we already had victory.
Raymond had a child with the other woman and when I found out about the child, the situation almost destroyed me. He kept denying that he had a child, but this was the reason he kept seeing or knowing of the other woman.
Vida, what was the "turning point” of your restoration?
Once Raymond accepted the child and opened up to me about having the child, crying because he did not know how to deal with the situation, I could tell he was sincere.
I was able to speak to him about God and His mercy. Through talking to him about God’s mercy, I was also strengthened.
The restore your marriage book and some wise women helped me as well.
We are still here, looking for how He leads daily in this situation. But with the conviction that our Lord is with us and being faithful. Taking us out of the depression of the miry clay.
Tell us HOW it happened, Vida? Did your husband just walk in the front door? Vida, did you suspect or could you tell you were close to being restored?
I went to his work to visit him and he couldn't handle his conscience anymore. He talked to me and told me everything. He asked me to forgive him. Although he thought that I would not return with him. The Lord had already been working on me. I was seeking the Lord and He had already put these feelings in me.
The truth is that you need to be vigilant. We know that the enemy seeks and will seek ways to destroy all relationships and because we are children of God, the enemy will try. But here we are and here is the Lord next to me carrying my load.
Restoration can be something that may happen in a moment but insisting on staying is necessary. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And so I decided to believe my Lord.
Would you recommend any of our resources in particular that helped you, Vida?
The book, How God Can and Will Restore Your Marriage. I would also like to read the Wise Woman book. It is always good to learn more.
Would you be interested in helping encourage other women, Vida?
Yes.
Either way, Vida, what kind of encouragement would you like to leave women with, in conclusion?
With the Lord we already have victory. Believing Him is the most important thing. God doesn't just want to restore your marriage, he wants to change your entire life! Let Him! God is merciful always. Let us cry out to Him. Let's find Him. Let's love Him first!
