I remember a time not too long ago, in my husband’s life, when he was really feeling down. Some doors that he had held hope in had closed with finality, and he was discouraged by his thinking that his was destined to be a road of drudgery from that point forward.
Feeling very defeated, he told me that he “thought he had disappointed God” with his life.
Holding a drastically opposing view, I wanted to be sure he wasn’t buying into the lie that Satan would have loved to see him purchase, so I wrote him a letter, part of which I’m printing here.
“My Precious Mark ~ How it hurts to see you struggling and feeling like you somehow haven’t pleased God with your life – I don’t think you could be further from the Truth! God has some very specific things He asks of men – and you have tried to follow them with a clean heart before Him. How can you not see that God is well pleased with you and the choices you have made in your life to follow him and to walk uprightly before him, to stay pure and faithful, to provide for your family and to be a man of integrity?
You’ve exceeded my dreams in the kind of husband you have been and father to our children – you have taught by word and deed how to live the fruit of the spirit – you are a man who has feared God, revered and honored him, and you have seen his hand of grace on your life because of it.
I know you have unfulfilled dreams – but our journey isn’t done yet! Don’t quit so quickly – you never know what’s around the bend in life!
God could surprise us with some very exciting plans to shake up our cozy little world and grab hold of some wonderful opportunities still – some marvelous chances to use the gifts, skills, interests and abilities He has given us to use them for His Glory!
I know this – as Paul said in Philippians 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.”
How grateful I am that you have a heart that seeks after Godliness – how good has been to “run this race” with you by my side! Don’t get caught up in the traps that the world does my darling! We have a higher calling ~ with a much greater destiny ~ and best of all, God will be our strength to carry us through the heartaches of this life, and help us to grow and be stretched through them, to become more like His Son.
You are my love, my delight, my gift from the very hand of God and I cherish you!
Do not lose hope! Do not give up! Let’s keep running this race together – let’s press on, looking to see how else God may use hearts willing to live dangerously for Him!
I want my life to have zeal for him – to take a risk, be more willing to leave my comfort zone and trust Him to provide all we need!
I don’t know exactly what that looks like, but I’m willing to pray about it, that God might use us – together – to do some wonderful things for His Kingdom and for His good Pleasure!
You have so much to offer, Mark! Tremendous insight and wisdom, wonderful leadership qualities – God has given you much to use for Him – do not grow weary in doing good – Press on! Push forward! Keep on keeping on – and let’s see together what else God has in store for we who love him and are called according to His purposes at work in us!
Thank you for making godly choices Mark – you’ve blessed our whole family in ways you may never fully know till Heaven ~ I count you as my most beloved friend. Sarah”
Life can be overwhelming ~ it’s full of twists and turns, unexpected disappointments and difficult burdens ~ That’s why as believers in Christ, we need to remind each other where our true hope lies! This life is short – it isn’t all there really is – reminds me of a song I wrote ~ Praying it encourages your heart to keep it’s focus where it belongs ~ on Christ and the Eternity that is in store for those who call themselves His followers!
Eternity is Coming
This life is short-it isn’t all there really is
So much lies ahead, for those who are His
Don’t hold on so tight to the dreams we have here ~
This world and its sorrows will one day disappear ~
Eternity is coming and it’s full of Hope!…. Joy!… Dreaming, doing, fulfilling and pursuing ~ Christ! No loss! No pain! All gain! We really can’t imagine!
So Don’t! Lose! Hope!
Hold on! Just wait! We’re nearly at the gate!
Am I growing and investing in the things I’ll take with me?:
Other people, love and joy, godliness and harmony?
Persisting in my troubles and allowing God to shape me through their pain?
To teach me more, his all-sufficient grace….
Eternity is coming and it’s full of Hope!…. Joy!… Dreaming, doing, fulfilling and pursuing ~ Christ! No loss! No pain! All gain! We really can’t imagine!
So Don’t! Lose! Hope!
Hold on! A little more ~ We’re nearly at the door!
Am I choosing to be joyful in what Christ has done for me?:
Giving his own life for payment so that sinners can go free ~
Or do I keep getting caught up in the miseries and trials that won’t last?
This time is almost past!
Eternity is coming and it’s full of Hope!…. Joy!… Dreaming, doing, fulfilling and pursuing ~ Christ! No loss! No pain! All gain! We really can’t imagine!
So Don’t! Lose! Hope!
Hold on! Don’t quit! Just cling to Jesus!
Am I using what I have now to make my foundation strong?
Sharing riches, loving others, choosing rightly over wrong?
Am I working toward the future, taking hold of The Life that is truly life?
It’s almost here!
Eternity is coming and it’s full of Hope!…. Joy!… Dreaming, doing, fulfilling and pursuing ~ Christ! No loss! No pain! All gain! We really can’t imagine!
So Don’t! Lose! Hope!
Hold on! Just wait! We’re nearly at the gate!
A breath ~ A wisp ~ A vapor and it’s gone…
It won’t be long ~ hold on ~ Cling to Jesus and hold on…
