Bitter Honey
That what is bitter seems like honey to a longing soul.
After I graduated college in my late 20s, I went on an amazing trip to Israel. I spent about three weeks in Israel seeking God and asking Him what I should do next. During this time, Colorado felt like the next place I was going. However, when I landed back in the States, I received a voicemail from a guy we are going to call “Bob” stating he wanted to marry me. I had been friends with him for a long time. He and my brother would hang out. He knew my family. He brilliantly played the guitar. He looked like he belonged in a boy band, and now he professed his love to me over voicemail. I mean it couldn’t get any better. However, I felt like Colorado was next, and Bob was in California.
Because God had confirmed Colorado, I committed to myself and God that Bob needed to visit me in Colorado if he and I were going to be one. We danced for a short time through phone calls and my visits to California. However, he never… ever… visited me in Colorado. It hurt.
As any reformed good little Christian girl, I prayed to God let him be the one! I want him…blah blah blah. God's response to me was from Proverbs 27:7 …But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
WHAT????
God told me no.
I hungered for someone to love me. I had a mild prognosis of desperation. In between the phone calls and my visits to California, I met a few others through dating websites that didn’t pan out.
Bob never came to Colorado. I now know this was God’s protection. At the time, I was devastated.
When I met my husband, I didn’t want him, but God was saying “yes”.
WHAT???
At the time, Kyle had just gotten divorced; he didn’t have a steady job; he was overweight, and broken.
No God was my response. However, God told me Kyle was a mighty man of Valor. He told me that man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. God reassured me that Kyle was good.
We have been married for 10 years.
YAY!!
I learned in the last few years that “Bob” had some serious issues and went off the deep end. I learned he was getting a divorce. I learned he was having issues keeping a job and walking upright. I learned he would have been bitter for me.
God gave me HONEY
My husband and I have plenty of imperfect, frustrating, “what in the world” life situations we’ve walked through and are currently walking through, but I am forever grateful that he is my partner. He loves God! He loves me, and he loves our boys. He is dedicated. As we walk through life, our marriage gets stronger. We have walked through job loss, miscarriages, health scares, financial failures, and many joyful and exciting moments. I wouldn’t change it, and I am forever grateful God said no
Be encouraged that God’s no may be opening a yes that is better than you could have ever dreamed or imagined.
He is the Author and Finisher of our faith.
You’re Loved, Cherished & Redeemed,
Devyn
