he Lord said to Gideon, “I will deliver you with the 300 men who lapped and will give the Midianites into your hands; so let all the other people go, each man to his home.” Judges 7:7
It was Friday night. I absently stared at the TV, thinking about how lonely I felt. Looking through my phone book, I knew that the options were not good. Friends who would be available on a Friday night would quickly offer me a tour back into my life before Christ… Places I knew not to visit anymore.
My new Christian friends were all busy with their husbands and family. It was me, my TV… and… my Bible. I glanced down and picked it up.
A new Christian, I had heard that Jesus was all I needed, but was unsure of how to let Him fill the void.
Wanna read more? This is an excerpt from my book TWELVE INCHES – Bridging the Gap between what you Know about God and How you feel – And my friend Kelly Balarie has allowed me to host her busy Tuesday blog with this post. Visit her blog, make sure to leave a comment or share on social media with the hashtag #RaraLinkup @PatHolbrook for a chance to receive a copy of my book.
Patricia,
Wow! Your story is so familiar, I was someone that idolized a now ex-boyfriend. A person who would shut himself off from me if I did not behave the way he wanted. I was so depended on his praise and being in his prescence that I felt lonely all the time. It was an abusive relationship in so many ways. However, one day, I did not know why at the time, I let him go after 18 years. I wrote him a letter ending it. I thought I would cry and eventually go back to him, but I felt free and I loved the feeling. It has been over 15 years. We have a son, so I have seen or talked to him on the phone. He tried to rekindle the relationship, but I had and still have no interest in doing so. However, the amazing part of my story is my now adult son, he recently told me when he was a child he prayed constantly to God to remove his father from my life. He had witnessed the abuse and could not understand why I was attached this man. God answered prayers I did not know were being prayed, my son’s prayers which I believe saved my life. I do not feel lonely, have not been in a relationship for over 15 years, and remain celibate. Life is good!
Hi, Patrissha. I honestly have goose bumps as I read your testimony. God is so faithful to be our all in all when we seek Him with all our heart. You and I know it too well! Thankful for you comment! Blessings to you and your wise son!
Patricia,
Wow! Your story is so familiar, I was someone that idolized a now ex-boyfriend. A person who would shut himself off from me if I did not behave the way he wanted. I was so depended on his praise and being in his prescence that I felt lonely all the time. It was an abusive relationship in so many ways. However, one day, I did not know why at the time, I let him go after 18 years. I wrote him a letter ending it. I thought I would cry and eventually go back to him, but I felt free and I loved the feeling. It has been over 15 years. We have a son, so I have seen or talked to him on the phone. He tried to rekindle the relationship, but I had and still have no interest in doing so. However, the amazing part of my story is my now adult son, he recently told me when he was a child he prayed constantly to God to remove his father from my life. He had witnessed the abuse and could not understand why I was attached this man. God answered prayers I did not know were being prayed, my son’s prayers which I believe saved my life. I do not feel lonely, have not been in a relationship for over 15 years, and remain celibate. Life is good!
Hi, Patrissha. I honestly have goose bumps as I read your testimony. God is so faithful to be our all in all when we seek Him with all our heart. You and I know it too well! Thankful for you comment! Blessings to you and your wise son!
This is where i am right now. Your words are an encouragement to me. I am waiting and trusting God. Thank you, Cathy
So glad you visited, Cathy! God is up to something awesome, you just wait! Blessings!
This is where i am right now. Your words are an encouragement to me. I am waiting and trusting God. Thank you, Cathy
So glad you visited, Cathy! God is up to something awesome, you just wait! Blessings!
The last few years have been major pruning for me. Your post gave such hope as to what God is planting and planning for me!
I’m interested in reading your book too!
#TestimonyTuesday
I am excited for you, Julie! I am sure that if He is pruning, it’s because He has something much better for you! You can get my book right here on my website, through Amazon, Barnes and Nobles or other retailers. Blessings!
The last few years have been major pruning for me. Your post gave such hope as to what God is planting and planning for me!
I’m interested in reading your book too!
#TestimonyTuesday
I am excited for you, Julie! I am sure that if He is pruning, it’s because He has something much better for you! You can get my book right here on my website, through Amazon, Barnes and Nobles or other retailers. Blessings!
God is good. This message came to me at the perfect time. From one Patricia to another. I found out 9 months ago my husband was a sex addict. What a journey it has been. During this season God has called my husband and I to recovery. As I sit in my prayer closet daily, God continues to tell me to stay, wait, and pray. To say it’s a hard journey is an unstatement. And to make it harder, many in the Christian community have abandoned our family despite knowing the amount of time spent asking God for direction for our lives. This has been a true season of pruning for sure. But God has also made that connect from our head to our heart. Years of learning about God through church, Christian college, theology classes, serving faithfully in the church have revealed that it doesn’t compare to allowing God to bring true intimacy into our hearts.
Thank you for sharing your words and bringing hope into my life in this area.
God is good. This message came to me at the perfect time. From one Patricia to another. I found out 9 months ago my husband was a sex addict. What a journey it has been. During this season God has called my husband and I to recovery. As I sit in my prayer closet daily, God continues to tell me to stay, wait, and pray. To say it’s a hard journey is an unstatement. And to make it harder, many in the Christian community have abandoned our family despite knowing the amount of time spent asking God for direction for our lives. This has been a true season of pruning for sure. But God has also made that connect from our head to our heart. Years of learning about God through church, Christian college, theology classes, serving faithfully in the church have revealed that it doesn’t compare to allowing God to bring true intimacy into our hearts.
Thank you for sharing your words and bringing hope into my life in this area.