Sunday, March 27, 2011

Recipe for a happy marriage...

I *heart* Lissa over at Humble Pie. When she writes about marriage - I just sit there nodding my head...saying out loud, "yes...yes." Her story is similar to my own so I feel a bond with her even though we've never met!

I encourage you to read her latest post - recipe for a happy marriage. One of my favorite parts of her post:

"The other day I was driving down the road and I said to God, "I'm tired of having the label of the girl that was in a broken marriage. I want to blog about cooking and cleaning and be just like everybody else" That's when God sweetly said to me, "That's not your label at all. Your label is REDEEMED."

I started crying when I read that. I don't know how many times I've thought that to myself. We've been asked to share our story or talk to couples that are going through a hard time in their marriage and when I start to share - it's hard. The enemy tells me that I should be embarrassed or that God could never use me because of my past. And that's simply not true. Like Lissa said, I am REDEEMED!!

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb!
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child, and forever, I am.

Head over and read her post. You will be blessed!

Love to all,

10 comments:

Heather Bug said...

I LOVE your story and how God has used it to help and encourage so many others. YES!!! You are redeemed...by the blood of the lamb (I think of that song). Isn't God so good?! He adores us!! I hope I get to see your sweet face tomorrow night!!

Momx6 said...

We're all REDEEMED - just from different things...He has brought us out of darkness into HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT! Hallelujah!

You are a blessing to me.

Kevin said...

Reminds me of the chorus from "Build Us Back" (Newsboys, Know Hope Collective)... "Redeemer, redeem us. Restorer, restore us. You build us back." Liked humble pie's post - you were right - and yours too! Love you.

amy said...

Redeemed indeed! Love that.

Todd and Courtney said...

just want you to know that I love learning more and more about you. Im not familiar with your past but your outlook on life and situations is great. I love that we've gotten to know each other more on twitter!

andreajennine said...

Have you ever blogged your marriage story? This is the second time I've seen you mention something about it recently, but I don't think I know the history. I'd love if you shared it here; I imagine it would be so encouraging!
P.S. I love that song you quoted.

Mazzy said...

I don't think I know your full marriage story. You once mentioned separation and I had no idea! You guys are such an inspiration on marriage, and you're such an amazing wife.

I honestly feel like the hard times in life are the ones that make us better, stronger. I know that there was a time when my marriage was on the brink of complete destruction (I didn't tell hardly a soul about it at the time, either) and looking back, I am SO GLAD I didn't give up on us. I never could have done it without the strength of the Holy Spirit and the little voice inside that was not going to let me fail on us.

Linda Lou Rogers Averitt said...

My sweet Jill, it is in our mistakes, weakness,that God so shines through us, we all have areas we screwed up in, you are right we are redeemed!....so let God speak though your weakness to bring Glory to Him in what He can do with us:) It is humbling, but can so show other couples the power of His Redemption! I love you

Faith said...

Your testimony has been such an inspiration to so many. I am encouraged by your marriage and your wisdom as a wife, and I'm so thankful for the truth that you have spoken into my life. We are all redeemed and I am SO thankful for that!

Love you dearly!

Anonymous said...

girl~ you have brought me a ton of traffic this week and I thank you for that! Your story is fabulous as well! God is just so AWESOME! Have a happy week!