I came to the Changed Women's Retreat completely broken. I was in the worst place I had ever been in my life. My marriage of 24 years was failing. I suspected my husband was cheating on me, emotionally if not physically, and I was suffering from depression. Two weeks prior, I asked God to take my life. I felt totally unwanted, ugly, fat, and completely defeated.
During my quiet time at retreat, God laid it on my heart to write a letter to my husband. I wrote about how I loved him and wanted to be with him, but that we had grown apart. I said I knew we would be empty nesters in a few years, and I wanted to try to fix our relationship. I didn’t know where this letter would lead us, but I was hoping for the best.
Later, I was reminded of the stop sign I saw when I arrived at retreat. For some reason, it had stuck in my head and God kept bringing it to my mind, over and over throughout the weekend. Finally, God revealed why and laid these words on my heart:
Stand Tall. Overcome. Persevere.
I didn’t realize at retreat that these words would be exactly what I needed to make it through the next year. These last several months have not been what I had in mind for my life. After reading the letter I wrote him, my husband was hurt and things got worse. He quit telling me he loved me. He didn’t touch me, didn’t call, and wouldn’t even sit in the same room with me. We eventually agreed to separate, and now I find myself single again.
Philippians 4:13 says, “For I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Thought I never thought my life would end up here, my faith is helping me get through this journey. God has put many amazing Christian people in my life to make the journey a little easier, and I know my new journey is just beginning. God has a better plan for my life than I can even imagine. And every time I see a stop sign, God reminds me of the words He laid on my heart that weekend at the Changed Women's Retreat. They run through my mind daily, and I hope they encourage you too.
Stand Tall. Overcome. Persevere.