Drove by a graveyard today. Couldn’t help but think about all the marriages that have been buried by unforgiveness, prodigal wanderings, greener grass, satan’s ploys.

The cemetery would have saddened me if not for the fact that, years ago, our marriage was pronounced dead too. Buried in sin. Dirt thrown in. Tombstone erected.

YET now, we can testify to a resurrected relationship by the only One who, even in the face of things long dead, can still command, “Arise!”

He still can. He still will.

“I am the one who raises the dead to life!” John 11:25

When we’ve driven for days into what feels like the middle of nowhere…

When it’s only day 16 and we’re already weary and slowing…

When we’ve lugged books and handouts and handouts and books and suitcases and laptops and Bibles and duffel bags in and out of the van…in and out of hotels…in and out of host homes, all for the umpteenth time…

It’s easy to start questioning: “God, why are we even doing this?” 

To which He always responds,

“Because…

Couples' Retreat - Jay, Maine

Until we looked more carefully at our atlas yesterday, we had no idea our route through Canada would take us so close to Niagara Falls.

As a child, I remember hearing stories about people who tried to make it over the falls in a barrel. Their antics always sounded so careless and crazy to me. Why would anyone take so great a risk?

Yesterday, however, as I stood at the very edge of these mighty flowing waters, a lump formed in my throat. God has been taking me to the edge of my faith for months now…

To the end of myself…

Will I leap or will I shrink back?

Oh, that my doubts be dashed against the rocks below in this freefall of faith.

Over the last few days, God has given us the extreme privilege of praying over several people who are learning how to wait on Him during their time of separation. We consider their journeys as treading on very holy ground for we know they’re learning what it means to possess a waiting soul.

A waiting soul is different than a waiting heart. It’s harder. It’s deeper. It takes longer to cultivate. A waiting soul realizes that every earthly option has been exhausted, yet it does not despair. A waiting soul believes that deliverance can and will only come from God Himself. A waiting soul knows that steadfast hope comes in resting facedown on the promises of God…and in staying there.

Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart rejoices in Him, Because we trust in His holy name. Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us, According as we have hoped in You.  Psalm 33:20-22 NASB

(Driving east through Michigan)

When the Bride of Christ prays…

True intimacy descends from Heaven.

(Bridge to Life Couples’ Getaway, The Shack, White Cloud, MI)

I catch them out of the corner of my eye as we share our testimony of reconciliation: red rings. Red rings encompassing their eyes. Eyes of hurt. Eyes of disappointment. Eyes of fear. The red rings encircling years of pain and now, they hold welling tears. Tears pooling and filling the red rings until they have no place else to go, but to spill over and down. Over and down. It moves my heart beyond compassion.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Bumblebees are totally dependent on flowers for pollen and nectar…so much so that they know exactly where to draw out the nourishment they need, from even the most “complicated” of flowers. Their survival depends on their instinct.

I think long and hard on this truth, as I watch this “busy bee” on a roadside sunflower today. She knows exactly what she needs for true nourishment and survival…and she goes right to the source to get it.

Nothing else will do.

For although there may be so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many of them, both of gods and of lords and masters, Yet for us there is [only] one God, the Father, Who is the Source of all things and for Whom we [have life], and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through and by Whom are all things and through and by Whom we [ourselves exist].  1 Corinthians 8:5-6 Amplified

Holland, MI

Clint is often asked about how he was ever able to forgive my unfaithfulness and betrayal during our first marriage. And, he always responds the same humble way:

“How could I not?”