Our life together has not been a piece of cake, no storybook romance/fairy tale. We’ve had a lot of rocky roads. Throughout our six, almost seven years of marriage, we have had many prayer warriors. It is by God’s grace, and through our faithful prayer warriors that we are together today.
There was a time where we lived “separate” lives, strangers living under the same roof. No relationship building, no time together. He lived his life, the children and I lived ours.
I know that through this time, God strengthened me. It has made me very thankful and aware of the miracle God performed in our marriage. I can honestly say, seven years later, that I am married to my best friend!
It was 6 years ago, that our marriage was “done”. Almost legally. (within a weeks time it would have been.) Yet God showed what could be done, by Him alone! A miracle. A marriage dashed against the rocks, hearts broken, family split apart ~ all made new. Truly a miracle.
There is nothing to big for God, no marriage that can’t be fixed, no life that can’t be turned around ~ there is NO impossible with Him!*
It hasn’t been easy to build up what’s been broken down. (Nor have we perfected our marriage yet either.) Yet think for a moment ~ will it be easy to just walk away ~ to split up your family? If you think it is, I can tell you from experience it’s not. It’s harder ~ to share custody, to walk away, etc. It’s not healthy, nor is it easier.
I’m reminded of the saying “Anything that is good and worth having takes work”. Hard work. If it comes easy, it’s really not worth much.
Marriage is hard work, especially if it’s struggling. I encourage you (if you’re there today) to reach out ~ call or meet with people in your life that you KNOW will “stand up” and be prayer warriors for you, and your marriage! Email ME, I WILL be praying for you!
Don’t give up the fight, the battle can be won! God can bring the victory!
Praying strength for you and healing for your marriage!
*Please note that there are marriages that will require separation to work things out (we have been separated a couple times), and there are marriages that require removing yourself for the safety of you and/or your children (I’ve been there too). If you are in either of these situations please get in touch with your pastor or a local organization to get you and your children the help you need. There is NEVER an excuse for ANY type of abuse.*
**Coming up in August I will be doing a study on Mondays, through Debi Pearl’s “Created to be His Help Meet”. This is a passion of mine. I wholeheartedly believe this book was vital in the restoration/continuance of my marriage. At the end of the study, I will be giving away a set of the book and the accompanying journal to one of my readers that follows along with the study each week. Please help me spread the word about this event!**
As promised….here is the recipe for my Blueberry Crumb Muffins
Muffin Batter
1 3/4 C. Flour (I use Whole Wheat)
1/3 C. Sugar (I use Sugar in the Raw)
2 Tsp. Baking Powder
1/4 Tsp. Salt
1 Beaten Egg
3/4 C. Milk (I use Rice Milk)
1/4 C. Oil (I use Coconut Oil)
Grease or line 12 muffin cups, In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In another mixing bowl combine egg, milk and oil. Add egg mixture to the dry mixture and stir just until moistened. Spoon batter into the muffin cups.
Blueberry Jam Filling
Use 1 Tsp. of your favorite (hopefully homemade ~ it’s so much better) blueberry jam per muffin cup. Use a teaspoon to make a “well” in the center of each cup, just before you drop the jam into the “well”.
Crumb Topping
6 Tbl. Flour (I use Whole Wheat)
6 Tbl. Brown Sugar
1/2 Tsp. Cinnamon
4 Tbl. Butter (I use Earth Balance)
Stir the dry ingredients together and then cut in the butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
Cover each muffin with the above crumb topping.
Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes.
Eating fresh is best, they lose their super yumminess if left overnight 😉
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Shaunie Friday
June 28, 2012 at 12:24 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I just dropped by from Laura’s Playdates With God–so glad I got to read your story of a healed marriage! I am blessed to be in my 25th year of marriage to my wonderful husband, and I passionately want more marriages to be healthy and whole. I have seen too many friends wind up with broken marriages, broken families, broken hearts, and broken lives. The enemy is too busy and the world is too influential on attitudes and expectations. Praying for beautiful fruit from the study you’re going to lead!
simplyhelpinghim
June 28, 2012 at 1:12 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thank you for stopping by! My parents will celebrate 30 yrs in a few months! It truly is a wonderful blessing to see them and know that it CAN be done! It isn’t easy, but with God anything is possible! Thank you for the prayers as I step out into something new! 🙂 Blessings!
Jolene @ The Alabaster Jar
June 25, 2012 at 10:09 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
What a wonderful testimony of what God can do through two willing hearts! Keep sharing your story of redemption because it’s needed! Thanks for linking up on The Alabaster Jar!
Kari
June 25, 2012 at 5:13 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oh, I am excited to see the study you will be doing. Healthy marriages, not perfect, is also my passion. Praising God for the work He has and is doing through and in you!
simplyhelpinghim
June 25, 2012 at 5:22 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I am excited too! Perfection is not possible this side of heaven 😉 Healthy, Godly marriages are key! Thanks for stoppin by (again heehee)
Patty
June 25, 2012 at 11:59 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
It was so good to read your story and see the happy ending in this case! My husband and I had some deep heart to heart talks this weekend and we both walked away feeling reconnected and so refreshed. Marriage can be such a beautiful thing. its wonderful..wonderful work.
visiting you from laurabogess linkup and so glad I did.
May God continue to bless you.
Patty from http://www.fanta4two.com
simplyhelpinghim
June 25, 2012 at 1:19 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Marriage does take work. Lots of “talks”, compromise and even more prayer! Faith that God will see you through is also key! I’m so glad that you stopped by! Blessings!
Elizabeth@Warrior Wives
June 25, 2012 at 9:38 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I love to hear stories of how God redeemed marriages…thanks for sharing yours! I’d love to have you guest post over at Warrior Wives about how God worked to change your marriage if you’re interested.
simplyhelpinghim
June 25, 2012 at 1:18 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Redeemed…yes, what an amazing word! I’m so glad you stopped by! I would love to guest post! I will send an email to you, so we can chat more! 🙂 Blessings! 🙂
Joe Pote
June 25, 2012 at 9:01 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I love your heart expressed in this post!
Your heart for sacrificial love and living out covenant vows in godly faithfulness.
You heart for healing and restoration.
Your heart for trusting God, believing in His power and strength, and not giving up.
And, your heart of redemption for those who are in a covenant of abusive bondage.
Our God is always faithful!
simplyhelpinghim
June 25, 2012 at 1:17 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thank you for your encouragement and your kind words Joe! God is the one who has done it all! It is nothing in my husband or I that made our marriage work! That thrills me to no end! God is faithful and will complete a good work in us! Blessings!
Beth
June 25, 2012 at 8:47 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m so glad God healed your marriage. It’s always so refreshing to hear stories like this one. Thanks for the great encouragement and yummy sounding recipe too!
simplyhelpinghim
June 25, 2012 at 1:17 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I am so very thankful as well! Thank you for stopping by and enjoy the yummy muffins! 🙂 Blessings!
Shelly Miller
June 25, 2012 at 7:58 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
So thankful for redemption, that nothing is too broken for God to fix. May this give someone struggling hope today. Visiting from Hear it, Use it and I love your header photo, so awesome.
simplyhelpinghim
June 25, 2012 at 7:59 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Amen! Redemption, such a wonderful gift! Thank you for stopping by! I love it too! 🙂
The Ultimate Homemaking eBook Spotlight: 31 Days to Build a Better Spouse: Accessing the Power of Prayer to Build Up Your Spouse - Marriage Motherhood and Missions
April 25, 2014 at 1:02 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
[…] Ashley reminds us from the beginning that through this study and the power of prayer, God will change us throughout this journey. I know this to be true first hand as God miraculously saved my marriage. […]