Filed under: life, switch | Tags: betrayal, change, changing lives, God, heartbreak, life, single
I never planned to still be unmarried at this point in my life. In fact, in my plans, my wedding would have been a few months ago. I intended to start a new part of my life with someone I had known since I was in junior high. I intended to be together, faithfully, until the day I died. Little did I know, that was not his plan. I was betrayed by someone I loved more than I thought possible. To make that worse, he was not the person who confessed that betrayal to me. In reality, my hurt was minor. I know there are people in this world who have survived worse. I thank God everyday that I was allowed to see the true side of the man I was planning to marry BEFORE I took my vows. I am grateful that I did not have to deal with the heartbreak of raising children with him. Still, I mourned the life I had planned to have. I mourned the man I thought he was, the man I wanted him to be.
I am not reliving these memories out of sadness or bitterness. See, he intended to hurt me. He intended to break my heart, but I follow a God who can create amazing things from heartbreak.
See, I am not the first person to be betrayed. In Scripture, we read of many betrayals. I was just reminded of the betrayal of Joseph by his own brothers. Now, I am in no way saying that I am anything close to Joseph. But my eyes rested on one verse in his story…
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20
No, I am not saving a country from a famine, and I have not been placed in the halls of power. I am, however, saving lives. See, if I had not been left broken, I would not have turned to God for strength. When I chose to return to where God wanted me to be, I began slowly to move into a place of saving lives. My ex intended harm, but God knew where I needed to be. I am now able to pour into students’ lives. See, I may not be feeding them (sometimes, I am!), but I am showing them the love of my God. I get to be a part of changing their lives. I honestly do not think this would be the case had I been able to have the life I thought I wanted a year ago. I will be forever grateful that God knows better than I do. I have never been happier. More importantly, I am able to be a part of God saving these kids. I’m in awe!
It is undeniable that there are people in this world who intend to hurt you or cause you pain. So, what have you gained through the pain?
