I was very Proud and Angry. So I Left
Evie, how did your restoration actually begin?
It all started years ago, but our difficulties intensified a little over three years ago. So many things happened in our lives, many blessings, but with these blessings came just as many problems. The problems that my husband had with his family came to light and he became confused so it began to affect our marriage.
At the same time, I did not know how a Christian wife should behave and instead of helping him and encouraging him, I made the mistake of pressuring him to be who he was not. So with all the problems that came up with his family, everything was extremely difficult and strained between us.
The next year, with the birth of our first son, things only got worse. We had different opinions on how to handle everything—until one day my husband actually asked me to leave the house. It did not happen at that time, but it happened later, when my son turned two. When he said to go, I was very proud and angry. So, I left and went to live in a rental house and took my son with me.
How did God change your situation Evie as you sought Him wholeheartedly?
The Lord has been working on me for some time now. Today I see that It started even before I was married. I was exiled from my home and my life because He needed to take me far away is order to start moving in my life.
As the problems in my marriage intensified, the Lord used them to really get my attention. Not that He is finished yet, even now after I’m restored, He has improved what He had begun in me but I have a long way to go. He has helped me to be more patient, understanding and to remain silent in situations where before I would have given my opinion and made sure things were done the way I wanted. Also if someone would disagree with my opinion, I would always respond in anger, then point out what they were doing wrong to make them feel awful and make myself feel better. But it only served to make me miserable in every way imaginable.
What principles, from God's Word (or through our resources), Evie, did the Lord teach you during this trial?
The principles of having a meek and gentle spirit, of submission to your husband and other people in authority were the most effective in changing my life. Also, taking everything that happens in my life to my HH. It is not easy to follow what I know I need to do, and I confess that I still stumble, but with His amazing grace, the Lord has helped me to follow the principles I’ve learned here.
Another important principle to follow is giving my tithe to my storehouse. I have been giving it faithfully and immediately I noticed my marriage being restored and moving in the right direction.
What were the most difficult times that God helped you through Evie?
A very difficult time was when my husband got sick and he asked if he could come to stay with me in the house that I was renting. Everything seemed great and perfect, he was very close to me and our son during this time. And while he was with us, he said that “in a few weeks we could go back to our home when he did” but then he’d give a reason why we could not live with him. From one hour to the next everything would change and then change back again. One day, before he fully recovered, he suddenly said that he wanted to go home. When I left him at home, he told me that we could not come back. In addition, he made sure to tell me several lies that the enemy was feeding his mind. It was a very difficult time He brought us through.
Evie, what was the “turning point” of your restoration?
The turning point was when I got a job near my house. This was quite unexpected, because my EH had asked me to get a job but I did not want to. Besides having a small boy, I knew the Biblical principles from How God Can Restore Your Marriage and A Wise Woman, saying that the woman should stay in the home, helping her husband, taking care of the house and the children. Nevertheless, I trusted my HH and He gave me a job without my trying.
Evie, did you suspect or could you tell you were close to being restored?
When the Lord thought it was time, not only did I get a job in something I never imagined I could do, because I would need special training to secure this job, but I work very close to my house. I am on a flexible schedule, so I can take care of my house and my son.
What is most interesting is that the Lord used this for good "All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose". So, because of my new schedule, I spoke to my EH about staying in our house, but I was sure he would not agree and told the Lord. I was afraid of not doing the right thing, but when I did what I heard the Lord tell me to do, my EH insisted that I take the job and the Lord did the rest. So I've been home for almost two months now.
I confess that it has not been easy, just as it said in more than one of the courses. But the Lord is dealing with me first and His work will be completed the more He becomes my HH.
Would you recommend any of our resource in particular that helped you Evie?
Yes I would recommend the books How God Can Restore Your Marriage, A Wise Woman, courses. I am still on Course 2, when my marriage was restored. I also highly recommend the book Finding The Abundant Life, which has given me the wonderful experience of finding my HH and that has really made the most significant changes in me.
Do you have favorite Bible verses Evie that you would like to pass on to women reading your Testimonies? Promises that He gave you?
Isaiah 61:7
“Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.”
Philippians 4:19
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Proverbs 21:1
“In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please Him.”
Isaiah 45:2
“I will go before you, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of bronze, and cut asunder the bars of iron: And I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, who call you by your name, am the God of Israel.”
Luke 2:19
“But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.”
Would you be interested in helping encourage other women Evie?
Yes, I am ready to help as many women as possible.
Either way Evie, what kind of encouragement would you like to leave women with, in conclusion?
Do not give up on your miracle. But mostly—Fall in love with the word of God and the Lord—make Him your HH. This is for life, not just for restoration. And the more of Him you have, the more He will add to your life.
