If you came over from Encouragement for Today, welcome! I’m so glad you are here. In today’s devo we talked about those times we feel a little unfinished. Let’s take that a little deeper. ~ Suzie
My story is like a zig zag.
Third girl born to 21-year-old woman who fled abusive husband.
Daughter to Jim, who took on single mom and children.
Fractured, broken, angry teen.
New believer.
Young wife.
New mom.
Cancer at 31
Surgery. Chemo. Radiation. More surgery.
Busy mom.
Writer.
Leaves job to pursue dream.
Cancer survivor of 10 years.
Speaker.
Mother-in-law (in-love).
GaGa.
Woman in love with husband–just diagnosed with cancer
?
If I had written my own story, I would have had a smoother beginning. None of the chaos. None of the secrets.
If I had written my own story, I would have been more confident. Sure of who I was, and whose I am.
I would have left the cancer part out. A young mom whose whole life was turned upside down by a diagnosis.
If I had written my own story, a shy girl would have never dreamed that she’d speak publicly . . .and love it. Because that wasn’t even on the radar.
And then there’s the part I wouldn’t write in the zig-zag story that’s new. It still takes my breath away. It’s the part where the guy I love has cancer. It’s the part where we face this one more time as a couple.
Oh, I’d put a big mark through that one if I could.
Maybe there’s parts you don’t like about your story.
Can I share something? Every part is valuable with God. I don’t know exactly how this works, but I know it’s true.
My angry, hurting chapters — in God’s hands — help me to never underestimate the depth of another woman’s pain.
They help me dream big about what any broken human being is going to look like in His hands.
They help me have patience for someone who is in the process of change.
There was even value in those chapters that had nothing to do with my past, but rather events or circumstances that whipped in like an Oklahoma tornado and unsettled everything.
When I look back at a young mom diagnosed with breast cancer that had spread, I wouldn’t want to go back there. . .
But I came out of those chapters stripped of priorities that used to take up more space then they should. In their place was the pursuit of laughter, family, faith, health. Because of cancer I now savored small things that I used to walk right by and not see their value.
There are other chapters.
Good ones.
Like discovering that a shy girl could be used by God to come alongside others who wanted more of Him, too.
Or moments when I held a grand baby for the first time, marveling at their innocent beauty, praising God because brokenness no longer held power over my family tree.
I didn’t care that photos were snapped of a “Gaga” without a stitch of makeup because they captured the joy I felt inside just nestling this precious gift on my chest.
And this new chapter?
I don’t know where cancer is going to lead Richard and me this time. . . but I know that God has the pencil.
I know it because I am handing it to Him.
I’m trusting that He sees something I don’t. I’m trusting in the truth of eternity. I’m trusting that He’s gonna show up big to wrap us up in peace through surgeries and treatment and bills that pile up in the mailbox.
The thing is, that for all of us our story is still unfolding.
We are all unfinished in some way, but. . .
Unfinished doesn’t equal unworthy.
It doesn’t mean “The End,” not when God still has things to say in you and through your life.
What it does mean is that we have a Savior that walks with us through each chapter. And that chapter becomes a story of relationship and reconciliation and restoration as He carefully writes upon our hearts through each day that passes.
And then that story spills out as others read His words through you.
Suzie
Today I’m giving away one copy of The Mended Heart: God’s Healing for Your Broken Places.
You can buy it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or purchase it through Proverbs 31 Ministries (all profits go right back into ministering to women around the world).
Being hurt and heartbroken is a sad reality for most of us. But I’m so thankful for this treasure of a book written by my friend Suzie Eller. Page by page, Suzie will help you understand how God’s truth can heal your pain so you can move forward whole and healed.
– Lysa TerKeurst, New York Times Bestselling Author; President of Proverbs 31 Ministries
“They help me dream big about what any broken human being is going to look like in His hands.
They help me have patience for someone who is in the process of change.”
Yes and amen! This is a huge part of my story as well.
Thank you for sharing your heart, Suzie! You and your husband are in my prayers!
I married young and now that we are growing older I am so thankful that when things were hard I hung in there. We have five beautiful grandchildren. Suzanne, I will be praying for your husband. Our stories are from the hand of God. We have life because of God. Blessings Diana
I spent many years broken and wounded and afraid to leave the dark for fears. I was afraid if I left the “secure” but depressed world I knew, then I wouldn’t know who to be or how to protect me. Thankfully God has healed me. I can now use my brokenness to help others to get help and not be ashamed of their wounded souls.
Bobbi, you are the winner of a copy of The Mended Heart: God’s Healing for Your Broken Places! I’ll privately email you and request your mailing address.
Beautiful encouraging words. Thank you for sharing and we will be praying for you both.
Thank you for sharing your story and God’s truth. I pray that He will draw you, your husband, and your family close to Him during this difficulty chapter of your lives. May you feel His presence and be surrounded by His peace and comfort. I praise God that everything is under His sovereignty and He uses all things for good and His glory—even and especially those things which satan would have intended for evil. I’m so thankful that He is not done with His work or His story in me. I’m thankful that He transforms my broken story in to a beautiful masterpiece of love and grace as He weaves the powerful story of Jesus into mine. I pray that others might also find the beauty of Jesus’ story in the midst of their own. I pray that you might continue to be strong during this time of uncertainty. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Thank you for sharing today. Your words will touch many today and I thank you for opening yourself up to God’s love and direction. They encouraged me knowing I will continue to heal and be strong in Him. Years ago the sexual abuse happened, but I am God’s daughter and He will continue to love me, strengthen me and guide me. Most days I know that and am okay, but some days the doubts come crashing down on me. May God strengthen you and your husband as you travel this rocky road ahead. May His divine healing occur in your husband, I pray for God to guide the Drs in whatever decisions and treatments lay ahead.
Prayers for you, your husband, and your family, Suzie. You are such an incredible blessing to others, and this will be yet another testimony of God’s glorious miracle-working power. Many blessings as you walk this road together with the confidence that God has you in the palm of His hand:)
Thank You Suzie for your sharing. I have spent so much of my life wishing it was different. I am a child of anger & abuse but mental & physical.This pattern has proceed much of my life. With domestic violence & bad self esteem. & being devestated by my husband’s sex addiction. I felt invisible & worthless I am just now in therapy to change the thoughts behind these key traumatic events. I know that God has a purpose for all this pain. I am having to keep focusing on me. I would love your book!
Thank you for sharing your genuine self with us and for the encouragement it brings! May God’s blessings ccontinue to pour out to you and your husband!
Loved your devotional today. God is in the business of restoration of broken hearts. His love for us is greater than what we can imagine.
Thank you for sharing this truth. Yes, we enjoy the cluttered toys in the living room, sticking little fingers that want to wrap around our hearts! These are Gods blessings on our lives into Grandparents lives! I myself look forward to each week when I have my precious grandchild spend the day with me. She shows me each new discovery of excitement and Blessings God has provided daily. As I take care of Hospice patients and loved ones having to say goodbye until they meet again, I am reminded of this life I have can be snuffed out so quickly. So I try to make each day a memorable one and thank God for it!
Beautiful Suzie – straight to my hurting heart – as usual. Thank you dear lady. Encouragement lives another day in my soul because of you, this Friday.
Bawling my eyes out. God always knows what I need to hear. Today he used you to bring the message to my broken heart.
I would give this book to my niece her mother, my sister in law died in January.
Thank you for a honest spiritual lift. Our lives do not follow our GPS, that would be to easy. Though I wish it did. Thank you for your encouragement. May God keep us all in the palm of His hand
Thank you for this post, prior posts, your books and your willingness to show us what God can do with our lives! I needed to be reminded that brokenness doesn’t have to be the last chapter of my story!! I am praying for your family as you deal with your husband’s cancer diagnosis. Be blessed!!
Praise God for his faithfulness and the faithfulness of his people to share how amazing His goodness is:) This was perfect timing-as always with God. I have the perfect person to share this book with!!!
Beautiful devotion this morning. Love your heart and gift for words. I too have a friend (college roommate) who is broken by misused scripture spewed on her by an angry and abusive husband. I’m passing your encouraging words to her today, thank you for sharing.
Chapter 3 of The Mended Heart addresses the misuse of scripture and hurt by the church (or those in it) and how to begin to heal. I pray that you’ll share this with her.
Looking for that new beginning.
Lord, today I pray that Monica senses You close, drawing her to yourself as a beloved daughter. That she senses Your love for her. Pure and beautiful and spotless. With no motivation other than to walk alongside her, to cheer her on. To watch her grow into the strong, faith-filled woman you know her to be. In the name of Jesus I trust and ask this, amen.
Beautiful!!! Thank you!
I keep hearing we are to forgive and I’ve forgiven but I can’t forget nor has it taken away the residual effects of the offense. Many would say I haven’t forgiven but I disagree. It’s hard to describe. If someone breaks my arm. I can forgive them but the arm still needs to heal. The castes arm is still there as a reminder and there is a chance it might not heal as well as it was before. All consequences of the offense. I have forgiven the person but the residual is still there. It isn’t just erased. I appreciated your decotional and look forward to reading your book. God bless you.
When people equate forgiving with forgetting, I also disagree. But what can take place is that a hard chapter becomes just that. It’s a chapter. It’s not your identity. It doesn’t get to dictate who you are or what you become, or how you love, or limit who you can be. It allows you to come alongside others who felt the way you once did, and show them the way out. Recently I sat with a loved one who is still in the mending process, and I realized one more time how completely God had healed me, which allowed me to give hope to this loved one that there was more healing to come. I hear you. We don’t stuff it. We don’t pretend it didn’t happen. But we don’t allow it to keep us in chains either, for the rest of our life. And we don’t have to pass it down to one more generation. We can give them a strong, faith-filled, imperfect, loving example of hope.
I read The Unburdened Heart in the early months of counseling to finally heal from the sexual abuse I endured as a child. It helped me so much to learn how to forgive my father, for the years he molested me, and my mother, for suspecting the abuse but doing nothing to step in and help me. Two years, I have made so much progress. There are still days when the memories and images surface, and I am still learning to cope with the lasting side effects of childhood abuse in counseling and in daily life. I have looked at The Mended Heart many times to buy it. I would LOVE the free copy. It seems like a logical next step in my journey of healing and moving forward. Thank you for your place in my healing!
Your comment floors me, PC. To know that The Unburdened Heart has been a small part of your healing process humbles me. To know that you are healing makes me want to dance in delight! What a beautiful story that is still unfolding. Brokenness is not the last chapter!
I love this – your message on Proverbs 31 and “the rest of the story” is so truly a part of what God is teaching me right now. How in brokenness we are more aware of Him and our growth is dependent on it because we are wholly dependent on Him. How the cracks in our heart become the places for His light to shine on others who need to see Him. Those who need to know that they will survive if they let Him hold them up. Thank you for sharing transparently.
Thank you for writing on this topic. Wounds of the heart can be so hard to bear. Knowing others understand my problems help me to not feel so alone or crazy for that matter.
“Jesus, I trust in You!”
I have few words for how I am at this moment. Seeing my husband so broken leaves me speechless and on my knees face on the floor. Thank you for just being you!!
Thank you for the reminder that every part of our stories are valuable to God. The good, the bad and the downright ugly…He’s there and He’s in control! Would love to read “The Mended Heart”.
Your post spoke to my heart as our family is dealing with the sudden death of our sweet daughter in law who died on Jan 7. Our son is heartbroken at his loss of his wife who quickly succumbed to sepsis and then organ failure that began as a kidney stone/infection. How precious is each day with our loved ones! I want to share your post with my son, but are there any books written for the healing of broken hearts such as my son is experiencing, from a man’s perspective? Any ideas would be appreciated.
Micca Campbell wrote a book called “The Untroubled Heart.” While it’s not written from a man’s perspective, it’s written from the perspective of a person who lost her husband quickly and too young. C. S. Lewis wrote a book titled, “A Grief Observed.”
If any other person sees this and has a book title, will you share it?
Love this~ I am going through my own brokenness right now and all I can say is I have never experienced the love and patience of God as much as I have through this. At first I was mad. hurt and heart broken. But now I can honestly say in the midst of it, God show me what you are trying to teach me. Take me where you want me, grow me out of this. I can say that because he has started the work in progress. I feel like I should be on the side of the road in a hard hat and reflective vest that says detour work in progress, the new way is better. 🙂 It still hurts, but I can say I have been carried. I can say that I know there are and will be blessings from this. I have seen his hand move and I know he’s not done. He will finish what he has started.
I am still trying to heal my broken heart. After years of not being able to conceive, I have finally accepted that I will never have children. I am 57 now but I hurt when my friends my friends talk about their grandchildren or the upcoming birth of a new grandchild or even when they talk about when they were pregnant with their children. I try to be happy for them but it’s really hard and I usually go home and cry. I am blessed to still have my mom with me and was there every step of the way when she was fighting cancer in her jaw and the removal of half of her jaw. But when she is called home, I will be alone in this world with no close family. It really scares me to not have anyone to act as my advocate when I get old and need someone to stand up for me and care. God’s love and faith will see me through but it would be really nice to have someone on this earth to share in his love and faith. Good luck in this new journey with your husband.
Vickie, when I was growing up I had grandparents but they weren’t a part of my life. I would have loved for someone like you to have loved me as a surrogate grandparent. I pray that God leads you to someone just like I once was, to pray for them, love them, encourage them, and that you become such a blessing to that young woman or family. You have much to offer and there are so many who need what you can give. Would you consider talking to a pastor or a youth pastor and asking if there is a teen or family or single mom who do not have extended family, and who might be praying for someone like you to be a part of that family?
Thank u for the reminder our brokenness is not the end of the story.
Thank you for that….but is there a glimmer of hope for me? I’m 50 and feel like my life is one big roller coaster and I’ve only brought misery to my hubby and kids. Don’t feel like God would want to do anything with me now! I’ve only disppointed him over and over again; and feel like I’ll never change. Just keep going through vicious cycles and never gaining true victory. Please pray for me! I feel sad, depressed regretful and hopeless!
Yes Kathie! There is hope for you. I was 48 years old when God finally brought someone into my life to first point me to a personal relationship with Jesus and then stay with me along the way. This person is not related to me or a “friend of the family” but is someone who God placed in my life who has taken the time to mentor me spiritually and listen to me no matter what I needed to talk about. Pray to God and ask for help. He understands that we are weak creatures that sometimes need a flesh and blood person to help us on our journey to Him. He’s waiting for you– Just Ask!
There is always a glimmer of hope. Always. I pray that God presses that hope deep inside of you, planting it where nothing can touch it. I pray that God leads you to flesh and blood people, just as Diane has shared, that will be encouragement to you in the healing process. I pray that the Counselor (the Holy Spirit) begins to lead you to newness daily. In the name of Jesus.
Thank you for thus devotional. Just what I needed to hear.
Thank you so very much for this beautiful reminder!! I can’t tell you how much I needed to read this today!!
God’s timing and presence always amazes me – this was just what I needed for today!
my husband , my bestfriend and my partner for 37 years suddenly had a cardiac arrest and died in less than 5 minutes last january 18. this the first time i came across your devotional and the message eased my pain. thank you for sharing your heart. i will be praying for you and your husband..
I’m so sorry for your loss. I know how much I love my guy and what a gaping hole it would leave. I pray today that God fills that wound. That He walks so closely with you that you feel utterly wrapped in His love. Thanks for sharing this. I’m truly sorry, but so thankful that you came by this small community and shared your heart with me.
Suzie – I didn’t realize you had cancer. I didn’t know all the zags in your zig zag story… and as my heart heard you story, it reached out to you in love even more. (I am a cancer survivor – 3 years.)
I am learning, that the zigs and zags in our story is what connects us. I’m learning to let go, and let God. Learning to trust.
Thank you SO much for sharing all of this. Your love lit up my heart today.
Such a great reminder, and beautifully written! Having a completely shattered and tattered past this post is so encouraging. While I’ve slowly come to see the beauty in my brokenness, it took me a while to get here. And there are still [many] days when the devil gets in my head and makes me question why/how God would/could use me – a very broken and undeserving woman – to tell His beautiful, worthy, amazingly awesome story.
I would love to win a copy of this book to help me as my journey continues down God’s beautiful and mended road.
I can’t tell you what this devotion and hearing your story has meant to me today. It always blows me away just how much God always knows when to give and what to give. I am suffering from a lot of pain and heartache. My marriage of 12 years is broken and thinking of what it could cost my 3 beautiful children just overwhelms me at times. I was also married once before to a very hurtful man. I have a lot of scars. I am a believer and I know God loves but but a long my path I have just lost myself. I prayed today for God to peel back my first layer and I know that he will. Thank you for sharing yourself with others. I love how you said “Brokenness doesn’t have to be the last of your story” that really popped out at me. no matter what happens in my marriage I know some where inside that God is writing my story and some day I will look back and see how he brought me through my brokenness.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Heather
Father, wrap yourself around Heather in that hard place. Lead her. Speak to her gently. Show her what to do and what not to do. Cover her in the hurting places. Fill the gaps where scars want to linger. Create newness inside of her that she cannot even perceive in this moment, but show her that it’s in the works. In the powerful, amazing name of Jesus.
Thanks for this excellent devotional. My life, too, has been a zig zag experience of emotional ups and downs and many other challenges including two cancer diagnoses. In retrospect, I know that God was and still is in control, but I feel battered down and wonder what God still has for me to do.
Lord, today I pray with Martha. You are her Heavenly Father and you have so much for her to do, but today it’s less about what she does and Whose she is. The power of the cross isn’t found in what we do, but in what You’ve already done for us and that includes Martha. I pray that she rests in what you’ve done for her. That she settles in to that place of restoration. That she’s made whole, day by day, layer by layer, trust upon trust, in the name of Jesus.
Beautiful blog post, thank you! Living through the unexpected right now. Would love to have your book!
I appreciate your words greatly. I am slowly learning that my past experiences shared with others can be a huge blessing.
Thank you for your book and the reminder that God is in control. I have been through much brokenness and I know God has got this. Bless you!
Love giveaways and love this post. Great message we all need to hear, Suzie!
I have been broken since the day I was born and told by my mother that I was not wanted and even found in the trash.
Broken heart, broken soul led to bad choices, degrading my soul and body, never receving unconditional love and affection, now at 54, I’ve given up in looking for a happily ever after. Just want to find inner peace and feelings of being worth something, not being a disposable piece of trash I have been made to feel my entire life. Thank you.
I to am a cancer surviver. Through god all things are possible I truly believe this. I’m glad you didn’t follow your plans rather gods plans for you. I often say if you want to make god laugh tell him your plans. I look forward to hearing you speak and welcoming you to chelsea OK God bless
You are wanted. You are loved.
The words that a broken person spoke over your life do not hold power compared to the words spoken to you by God. They do not define you. They do not have the power to limit you any more, In the name of Jesus. You are not trash. You are treasured by God. Loved and created by Him.
I’m in the middle of a divo.rce.Thank you for reminding me that this part of my life is not the end, it is just the beginning of something new the Lord is willing to do in my life and the lives of my children.
Praising God with you that brokenness no longer holds power over our families. Praying for you and your husband, for God’s healing touch. Thank you so much for sharing.
“Unfinished doesn’t equal unworthy.” That is some serious truth, Suzie. Serious, beautiful truth. I’m so glad He knows better than I do what to do with my life…the good, the bad and the ugly. And I’m so glad He can make beautiful out of the ugly. And so glad He HAS. Love you and your beautiful story…xoxo
Great devotion! And your book sounds great, too! I would love to have it!
Thank you for the encouragement–hiding my hurting heart is exhausting and the only thing that keeps me going is God
Don’t hide it anymore, Laura. Bring it to the Light. He sees it anyway. He knows what you feel. I’ve learned to be honest with God and simply go to Him when things become exhausting. In that place I’m filled back up. Or I find peace. Or I simply rest there, knowing that even if I don’t feel it, it’s on the way because I’m not alone in the battle. Thank you so much for sharing this. Today I pray that God begins to peel away the layers as you find healing He longs to give. In Jesus’ name, amen.
can’t wait to read this book need it
Wow, the encouragement and wisdom I’ve gotten from your devotion.
It doesn’t mean “The End,” not when God still has things to say in you and through your life.
Powerful sentence.
Thank You!!
I laid in bed yesterday evening frozen in heartache and feelings of betrayal. I have been trying to heal from deep deep wounds in my marriage and the journey has been made so hard by those wounds being ripped back open when I had trusted. Yesterday evening I came across evidence that my husband is hiding something still. Thankfully this does not involve infidelity, praise Jesus. It does effect my security and trust so much though. I dont know what to do and have no one to talk with. This devotion was encouraging and I have had my eyes on this book over the year, but with everything that has gone on I have never let myself spend the money to get it.
Father, I pray for Tiffany. Her heart has been broken and you are the mender of her heart. Give her wisdom in this hard situation. Bring wise advisors around her and her husband. Begin to heal these wounds, Lord, and cover this family with your presence. In your name we ask, amen.
Suzie,
Thank you for the wonderful and heart touching message! It touched me deeply, and I can relate to
the pain of going through breast cancer personally and having also been a domestic violence survivor. I know your message has touched and will touch many women today!
I just read Tiffany’s post, and if Tiffany is not selected to receive the book, I would like to buy it for her instead of for myself. I pray for you and your ministry.
Sincerely in Christ,
Ann
So much wisdom in this article. Thanks for opening up your heart and sharing your wisdom. Right now my heart continues to be broken by the circumstances in my life, but I am surrendering them to God, so that he can finish writing my story.
Idania, I’m so sorry you are hurting, but I’m also so grateful for the hope I hear in your comment. What a beautiful, powerful place that surrender can be.
Love you. Mom. Xxxooo
I love that you slip in here to say hello. Love you, mom!
This is not the end. God has many more things…great things in store. This and other inspiration from God is what gets me through. I have quite a story myself. Just when i thought it couldn’t get worse it did. Your first book was great. I need to read your others. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your words. I have read Unburdened Heart and would love to win this new one! God speaks volumes through you!
Thanks, Brandy. What a beautiful thing to say. I pray that you continue to grow and heal (I’m right there with you!). <3
I needed to hear this today. Thanks for sharing.
What a strong woman you are! I am praying for you and your husband. There are some things that have happened to me in my life that I don’t understand, but like you, I trust that they have a purpose. I trust that God has every single second of my life planned out, each second not without meaning. May God wrap His loving arms around you and your family as you go through this new chapter in life.
Broken has been so much of my life. Body, relationships, heart, etc.
BUT, and I say this with a big lump in my throat, I am who I am today because of all those broken places. I was physically beautiful before, but not very beautiful on the inside. Now, I love more, I understand grace and mercy, and I live with hope. My life is less about me and more about being a light for Christ. Am I good at it? Not yet. This last part is new and fresh in my heart. I have been a Christian for 17 years, but I did not have the experiences to be a servant like God wanted me to be. I needed humbling, rejection, trials, betrayals, death, and new life in my own life to grow in brokenness and become someone who could truly understand the sacrificial love of our Lord. Now that all those broken places are mending I am praying God will use me, where he wants me, and how he wants to. If this book will help me on that journey I would feel really blessed to win it.
There is a difference between being broken and experiencing brokenness that allows God to shine through. You describe that difference beautifully.
I truly believe that God does use our brokenness to help us realize that rhere is always joy on the other side. You are such an amazing woman whom I truly adore. This book would be a blessing in my life. Thank you!
I recently experience a sort of heartache a relationship that never started and was meant ended I committed sin. flirted with the world and loving the wrong things as I see my life.stripped away im wondering about my heart. where do I go now..I dont think im capable of real love anymore..im kind of tired. but God has been showing me thru heartbreak his longing for us..to be with him when we stray..I think if it hurts this much to lose something I love and I dont even know how to love what and how must God feel about me.
Nicodemus was a religious man who had questions about Jesus. He wanted to know more, but to know more put his standing in the religious community in danger. So he sought Jesus in the middle of the night to ask his questions. Jesus led him to a truth that seems simple to us now, but was earth shaking to a religious man bound by rules and tradition. He said, “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. God didn’t send His Son to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”
I hear your heart. You went down a road you wish you hadn’t. It didn’t give you what you hoped it would. It left you longing for something more. Where do you go now? You walk into the truth of this scripture. Jesus came willingly to heal you. While you may not feel capable of real love, He offers real love to you. Your only response today is to receive that and to begin the healing process. Rest in that. Tomorrow He’ll take you one step further, and the day after that you’ll take another step until you know whose you are, and who you are through Him.
Thanks so much for this encouraging word I can share with others who are struggling. …God is good, all the time!
Thank you for all of the encouragement!
Thanking God for you Suzie and what you have shared on both “Your Story is Still Being Written” devotions. Your heartfelt words powerfully speak life. I will share this. Peace be with you.
Thank you for your heartfelt devotional. I needed and love the hope in found in your words and the beautiful Scripture you pointed to. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing! I’m praying for you and your husband and family.If listed my brokenness it would have started since my birth and extend almost 40 years but I know with this brokenness I can help others who are broken by showing them Father God loves us despite what has happened to us,what we’ve done,what we look like,what people think of us and Jesus came to heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”Freedom is a journey,restoration is a process.” Everyday is a new day grow my faith and let Him heal me more and use me despite my brokenness.
Freedom is a journey. Restoration is a process. I love that!
Bless you and your precious heart for Jesus….. As you said “Let God have the pen” I thought didn’t He already write my story the past 55 years. We are told He is always with us, that nothing happens to us that isn’t sifted through His hands first. So given that I want to take the pen out of His hand, not that I think I can do a better job of writing my story but I just want the pain of the stories He rights to end. I know my thoughts are twisted when it come to God, I just don’t trust Him. I don’t take comfort in knowing that He gave His only begotten son because I am always looking at it through Jesus perspective. How did Jesus feel knowing his only Father was willing to allow him to endure so much for the benefit of others. I am a child of God so if He allowed THAT for his only son, look at how much he allows for all His children to endure. I have a relationship with God, I am working at it and have talked to Him about ALL of this over and over. He knows my thoughts come from my abusive back ground so what HE allows doesn’t look much different from what my earthly father allowed at his hands.
I don’t know how people, such as you dear Suzy, who has certainly endured so much, get to the point of blindly trusting God and actually finding comfort in that trust. I know it is what I need but just can’t/won’t surrender to it.
Thanks for letting me speak my heart
Hi Betty, I do thank you for speaking your heart. I want you to know that there is nothing blind about my faith. It’s a faith that has come through years and study and walking with God. It’s a faith built through asking hard questions and searching for the answers. What I’ve discovered is that God is good. That He sent His Son because that effects of sin weighed heavy upon the heart of a God who created mankind for the sheer beauty of fellowship with us. That Jesus came willingly out of that same love. I surrender to this faith, not out of weakness, but because of the strength and relationship and transformation that comes with that surrender. We live in a world where evil exists. Where people do wrong things and hurts others. That pains me. It will always pain me, but what I pray is that I join in with the heart of God to make a difference in whatever way I can. What I love most about what you said is that you have a relationship with God. That’s faith. It might not be where you want it or providing the answers you seek today, but I promise you this — there is healing to be found within the confines of that relationship. Beautiful, layer by layer healing. I will pray for you today and I’m so very grateful you came to this site. I hope you come again.
Thank you Suzie…..you were very gracious to reply
I don’t know exactly how it works, but I know it is true. Yes, this………..God works in mysterious ways.
Suzie, you are my adorable mentor. I cherish and appreciate you a lot. God bless you for this post.
I know He is writing my chapter.
Suzie, even in the brokenness and uncertainty of this chapter of your life I can still see HIS beauty in your story. Thank you for sharing, what I imagine is, a difficult place and may God do more than you could ever ask or imagine in this next season.
Please pray for me as I have an answered prayer of NO. It is a very hard thing to accept. I just want to know why. My trust and faith are shaken, Thank You