Spiritually Unequal Marriage

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Chronicles of the Donovan Clan – The Update

Well it’s been a long time since I have posted an update about the Donovans. This post is difficult for me to write. Most of you know that in January…

Well it’s been a long time since I have posted an update about the Donovans. This post is difficult for me to write.

Most of you know that in January my husband lost his job. Back then I wrote about my trust in God and how He has our lives in the palm of His hand. I wrote how I knew He was working all things together for good and for my husband’s salvation because I love Him. You can read that post here.

Friday my husband sat me down on the couch, “Honey, I just spoke with the company. They are unable to hire me as we were anticipating. The company decided to hire from within to save money. In fact, things now are again at square zero. I will keep looking”

Literally, my heart began to pound. In 15 seconds a million thoughts flashed through my mind.

Girls and guys, it is now I find out what my faith is really made of. Today, this month, it seems my hope and enthusiasm is eroding. I just didn’t see this setback commin’. Blindsided and befuddled.

For the past three years I have written about God’s faithfulness in my life. I have shared with you tiny as well as giant miracles of God moving in the most unexpected ways in my life. I have assured you the Lord hears our prayers and waits anxiously to answer.

Today I am standing in that deep valley. I have questions.

Gulp….. And then…….. I went to church. Thank you Jesus for church. Although church is filled up with broken and messed up people (like me), it is a place where Jesus dwells and gives me perspective.

The message today: When Life Doesn’t Make Sense. Do you think this message was for an audience of one????

For the first time in a long time, God seems to be silent. Aren’t there scripture verses where God pulls away to test a person. Hummmmm. God is silent. My life is on hold. I am not hearing the Lord speak the way forward. How many of you have been in this place?

However, my life is not God forsaken it is God directed. It is time to really show all of you what my faith is made of. It is time for me to put my faith where my mouth is or at least my computer keys….

For years I have asked you to cling to Jesus to trust Him with your heart and your marriage. So, today, I am compelled to believe Jesus is asking me to cling to Him in the silence and trust Him with our future. This is what I heard this morning as if it was written for me alone:

“Lynn, for the next 24 hours I want you to do what you know is right (Godly). I want you to trust me so much that you must lean on me each day and only focus on one day at a time. Then…… I promise you this, the day will come and you will be amazed to see how I have used you in a powerful way.”

As I heard these words I wept.

Gang, I will choose this day, these 24 hours, to remain faithful. I will choose to do what is right. I will continue on doing what the Lord told me to do the last time He spoke.

If you are traveling in this strange valley with me, and I know many of you are, keep doing the last thing you were told. Choose to do the right thing. Focus on what you have always known to be true. The truth of the living Word of God. Live these next 24 hours leaning wholly on the arms of Christ and I am certain with all that I am that we will be amazed to see how God has used our life our witness in a powerful way.

Thank you so much every one of you who has prayed for my husband and me. Your emails checking in on us, your e-cards, your friendship has carried me through this valley. I will promise you this. This trip through the valley will never be forgotten. When I hear of a sister or a brother in the valley in the future, you can bet, I will be your prayer partner. I will pray with a new fervor because now I have lived it.

I love you. Be blessed, Lynn

Comments

24 responses

  1. Denise Avatar
    Denise

    I love you, and you are in my thoughts and prayers sweetie.

    Reply
  2. Iris Avatar
    Iris

    Good morning, sweet friend…
    I really don’t know what to say, except that you and your family are in my prayers…
    The valley can be tough, I know. But like you said, we can cling on the hem of Jesus and He will carry us through…
    Love you!!!!

    Reply
  3. Tamara Hari Avatar
    Tamara Hari

    dear sweet lynn, you are in my prayers today – and mike too – hugs and love tamara

    Reply
  4. Lynn Avatar
    Lynn

    Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement and your prayers. My faith has never been stronger. Jesus has this employment thing in His hand. And, I have to remember that not everything is about me. I sometimes think that it is.. Have a wonderful Monday… Hugs..

    Reply
  5. Marsha Avatar
    Marsha

    Oh sweet friend! You continue to be in my prayers, but with new fervor. Press close into His breast and listen to His heartbeat of love for You. Cling to the hem of His garment and at the same time, embrace that precious husband of yours. He needs you now more than ever. I know you know these things.
    Press on.
    I love you dearly.

    Reply
  6. Tiffany Stuart Avatar
    Tiffany Stuart

    Lynn, I am sorry about your valley. I’ve had my share. And honestly, I sense a bit of that in my life. Not in the same way, but in a way I don’t like. And like you today, for the next 24 hours, I choose faithfulness.
    Jesus, come and minister to Lynn and her family. Bless her with your loving care and presence. Reminder her of your promises. Show her how trustworthy and holy you are. Open the doors of opportunity for her husband. Give her wisdom about whether or not, she should look for work. Thank you for the ways that you will answer her prayers. Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for your love. Thank you for inviting us into your family. We love you. We praise you. You are worthy of our praise. All the time. Whether we are on a mountaintop or valley. You remain God. And we are your people. In Jesus name, Amen.

    Reply
  7. Rosheeda Avatar
    Rosheeda

    Lynn, I’m praying. God is God even when it looks dark and scary. Hold tight and love on Him. All else will come. His time is perfect, and His love is so immense for us. So much more than anything we can ever know fully… He’s got you, your husand and your daughter all wrapped up. Stand on it and just watch how He does what He does.
    I love you.
    Rosheeda

    Reply
  8. Angie Avatar
    Angie

    Lynn—this may be a valley for you…but I feel in my spirit—it is a footstep of the Almighty God. I believe that when we face a trial in our hearts and lives, the enemy means to bring us to an end (faithwise) —but God has other plans. IT WILL BE HIS opportunity to SHOW what you ARE made of! It will be YOUR OPPORTUNITY to be the LIGHT for CHRIST in your home as you’ve never been before! READ Hebrews 11—OUT LOUD—to the devil!
    Girl, I read the last verse verse 41—to say this: “While in the middle of her trials, by faith Lynn, with her heart and mind set on the end of the Race–with her eyes steadfast on the Finishline—won her household to Jesus Christ!”
    Now, before anyone jumps on me about this—I believe the LORD wouldn’t mind us putting our names into the Word—I believe He wants us to STAND ON THE PROMISES so strong that we see our VERY OWN lives in the Word!
    This is something that we faced when our children were small—Jeff worked in the oil field for 13+ years and all of a sudden—the company ceased. Without any warning for many. His rig was so well established and had been in operation so long we never thought it would affect them. But when they closed many other rigs and started moving people around, the one with seniority got the jobs.
    But God had other plans. We laid it in HIS hands, we saw HIM work—We saw Him provide—over and over.
    Lynn, God will shine through YOU in all of this! I am praying! THERE are MANY who will join you in this vigil of prayer!
    I love you dearly! (Maybe the LORD wants to move you to Florida????)

    Reply
  9. Julianne Avatar
    Julianne

    My dear sis:
    I really don’t know how to encourage right now, since I feel like I am in a deep valley of no words from God. However, I do fully believe we need to FULLY obey whatever God has spoken to us in the past to do for His glory.
    In time we will hear from Him again! I rise up every day and keep seeking, but I am not finding. I know it must seem that way to your family.
    I still make the offer to help you guys look for work for your hubby, if you give me more info as to what type. I am good at research…
    I love you dearly, you do not cease to be in my prayers. We will hear, I look forward to the day!!!

    Reply
  10. Lisa Shaw Avatar
    Lisa Shaw

    Your words Lynn, “However, my life is not God forsaken it is God directed.”
    This says it all. In the valley or in the raging sea GOD hears, He cares and is near to you. Be still in His presence and do as He said over the next 24 hours and moving forward…
    I KNOW without a doubt — (as I shared in a recent Vlog, “ONLY BELIEVE” that’s what the LORD told Jarius AFTER his daughter was dead and you know the testimony…) that GOD has this entire situation in His purpose.
    Keep the course…steady yourself on Him. Keep your eyes up…weep if you must and I will weep with you dear friend but in preparation of rejoicing with you!
    Love and blessings!

    Reply
  11. Dineen Miller Avatar
    Dineen Miller

    Hang in there, girl. This isn’t about you. It’s about your hubby and whatever God is moving into place. I know you well enough to know how hard it is for you to be patient on the sidelines, but how wonderful that God has given you such reassurance! I’m praying for you both! Hugs!

    Reply
  12. Caroline Avatar
    Caroline

    I did not know your husband had lost his job in January as I knew of your blog maybe about 3 months ago. I just read that January blog you wrote. What faith! Lean on that. Praying for you.

    Reply
  13. Jensmere Avatar
    Jensmere

    Precious Lynn…seems the valley experience is going around for a lot of us these days…
    with all that is going on here, the theme of my days is ‘live in the grace God is giving for today, don’t worry about tomorrow, there will be sufficient grace available then too!’
    One of my favorite scriptures just came to mind…
    Phil 3:13-14
    But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (NIV)
    Bless you, dear one as you walk close, and lean hard on the ONE who is able to do everything we could ever ask or think!
    Love and prayers,
    Susan

    Reply
  14. Sally Avatar
    Sally

    When you are down all you can do is go up.
    I have been reading a study in Psalm 119 these last two days.
    Please read it again – will speak to you I am sure.
    God will never leave you or forsake you – also read Psalm 40:1-3
    He may be wanting you to search him out in a deeper way than ever before – or to show you something new about himself. Don’t be afraid of rejection – draw near to God and he WILL revive you.

    Reply
  15. Melonie K. Avatar
    Melonie K.

    Just wanted to pass on a huge {{{HUGGGG}}}.

    Reply
  16. Lori Avatar
    Lori

    Praying for you friend. It is so hard and I remember when we went through a layoff, it is down right scary. It is at that time you realize God provides. I will be praying for you ((hugs))

    Reply
  17. Justine Avatar
    Justine

    This is my first post for this hits hard with me and that you are a remarkable person. Like you my husband (who is lost), was layed off back in Feb09 and is still looking. Reading your words and seeing your fear but yet realizing that God has all this in his hands, gives me hope for us all. Thank you for your words. He is definitely using you. God bless.

    Reply
  18. Angela (Ang4him) Avatar
    Angela (Ang4him)

    Oh Lynn – God is already using you with this post. I am praying for you and your family. Know that you are in a “good place” as we always tell each other in our house church.
    It is funny because as we’ve started meeting almost 4 years ago, I know each family in my church family would tell you that we are all richer than we have ever been before spiritually, but in the past 4 years we’ve all been going through the biggest financial struggles any of us have ever experienced. Funny how the Lord works in our lives sometimes.
    Love you girl!

    Reply
  19. e-Mom Avatar
    e-Mom

    Ouch Lynn. Thanks for sharing your heart so vulnerably once again.
    The Lord has really put my faith to the test during this recession. Do I REALLY walk the talk? The most important thing I’ve learned is *absolute submission* to my DH. He loves it! And like OT Sarah, from time-to-time I call him “Master” and he always stands a lot taller when I do. Then he gets really tender and affectionate…
    I know your fear. My husband’s positive attitude, his daily “pep” talks, plus my getting right in there and being a hands-on “helpmate” in our biz. brings me a lot of peace, and makes good sense financially.
    Is there a way you can offer your guy practical assistance in the job hunt? Phone calls, organizing leads, paperwork, networking with friends etc. Does he use LinkedIn?
    You’re in my prayers–always. You’ll make it!
    Love ‘n hugs,
    e-Mom

    Reply
  20. Mary Avatar
    Mary

    Dear Lynn,
    Although I’m a lurker on your blog, I have to say, that your post was so open that it made me cry. I often feel that I’m so alone in this world, and in fact, that I do not fit in at church with all those people. But when I hear (or read) a post with words that come from the heart, I realise that there are people who struggle just like me, and not everyone is so “all together”.
    God has me walking in a very lonely valley now, and have received much encouragement from your post. Thank you for shareing so openly.
    Mary

    Reply
  21. Marian Struble Avatar
    Marian Struble

    Lynn, I was recently directed to your site from Kimberly Dinsdale, my coach trainer. As I read your blog about your storms, I want you to know I will pray for you too. About 7 years ago we went through an unbelievable test of faith and trust in God. Now on the other side I can attest to God’s faithfulness and the one thing I know is that His purposes for us can’t be thwarted! Hang on to that as you trust Him. Your steps are indeed ordered and nothing can change that. Your family will come out as “gold” and that is both financially and in every way! Bless you!
    Marian Struble

    Reply
  22. Nicole N Avatar
    Nicole N

    Lynn I too will be praying. God is totally using you in your weakness and is dying to rescue you! He will He will:)

    Reply
  23. angela Avatar
    angela

    Oh HOW I can connect..the 11th marked 9 months since my husband has been out of work, and one month that his unemployment benefits ran out. Faith in the Night Seasons..I read this book last July…and in September I started my journey in that night season. Like your husband, mine found out last Thursday that the job he was supposed to start on Friday fell through.
    I had heard of You by word of mouth, but now my eye has seen You. Job 42:5…Heard, read about our God, AND now through these difficult times that my family and I have EVER experienced,,I can say I SEE God in the midst of all this.
    God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering. Genesis 41:52….
    Keep on sis…this was a POWERFUL post glorifying God. Thank you so much for sharing your heart with us..((hugs)) from a fellow sojourner

    Reply
  24. gretchen Avatar
    gretchen

    God bless you, my friend, for your faithfulness in Him in all things. This is so hard. I wish it were different. But we’ll trust him for this, too, right? Hugs.

    Reply

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