Thursday, August 07, 2008

Conviction, Correction, and Confidence in His Timing

This has been a good week for me—challenging, humbling, and refining all at once.

On Monday, I started reading the chapter in For Women Only: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men by Shaunti Feldhahn, the one our group is doing titled “Sex Changes Everything.” When I got to this line:

“Sex makes your husband feel loved—in fact, he cannot feel completely loved without it. You have discovered that he often feels isolated and burdened by secret feelings of inadequacy. Making love with you assures him that you find him desirable, salves a deep sense of loneliness, and gives him the strength and well-being necessary to face the world with confidence.”

…DOH!! Talk about conviction.

The whole chapter read like a spotlight aimed directly at my blind spots. I felt deeply corrected—not shamed—but corrected in love. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, I moved from that book straight into The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman, and got spiritually “smacked” again. It reminded me how far I’ve drifted from intentionally loving Tom in his languages, not just mine.

Looking back at my last journal entry and the prayer I prayed… well, let’s just say God answered quickly and clearly. Thank you, Jesus, for showing me truth so directly and kindly.

I mention all this for two reasons. First, to document my own walk and growth in this season. And second, because on Wednesday, at a Bible study on the book of Jeremiah, the Holy Spirit led our discussion in a totally unexpected direction—toward marriage and our responsibilities as wives. I felt led to share what the Lord revealed to me earlier in the week.

And wow. Truth hit hearts.

All the women began to share personal things—things that likely wouldn’t have come out without that leading. There was a beautiful atmosphere of vulnerability, support, and conviction. The Spirit moved, revealing, comforting, and correcting. What a gift. Even in my weakness, God used me. Praise you, Jesus! You truly use all things for Your glory.

On the practical side of life:
Tom spoke with DD today. They’ve decided to stay in their other house and rent this one out. That means we’re welcome to stay here until it’s rented. I offered to help with painting, so DD is bringing over some supplies on Monday. We'll try to get as much done as we can to help before the house is shown.

This weekend, we’ll be house- and pet-sitting for T, and after that, I’ll be helping MF at her new home. Hopefully, we can juggle all of it well and be a help to each of them.

Financially speaking, we’re down to just $13. That number would normally cause fear or panic, but oddly enough, there’s peace. We’re continuing to trust that God will provide—and He will. His timing is always perfect, even when it stretches us.