Life with Jesus After My Divorce
by Madonna Bennett
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I am a firm believer that we are all called to be witnesses for Christ. When we tell our testimonies, we give glory to God! In 2014, after 21 years of marriage, my divorce became final. The road ahead of me would be different than what I had originally planned. Picking up the pieces and trying to put my life back together would be a daunting task but I knew it had to be done. I was brought up in the Catholic faith, I attended Mass and was involved with the church most of my life. I will admit that my relationship with God consisted of running to Him when things were going bad in my life. When my marriage ended, this was one of those times that I ran to God with open arms. I thank my loving parents for having planted the seed of faith in me because I knew exactly where to go. God had a step by step plan but I didn’t know it. He has a plan for all of us. ‘’ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 Throughout my divorce, God provided me with a great support system of wonderful family members and friends. I had so many people praying for me. This support was only the beginning of what God had planned for me. I became involved with a local prayer group and my life started to change beyond my wildest dreams. The prayer group became a second family for me. I felt so much love and support in the group. God had led me there and I knew it was the right place for me. I was learning so much about the Catholic faith, the Holy Spirit and about having a close relationship with Jesus. Through the baptism of the Holy Spirit that I received, my faith was ignited and I was on fire for the Lord. The worldly things were becoming less important to me. My focus was on Jesus and helping in the building of His kingdom here on earth. My involvement with the prayer group led to other things that the Lord had planned for me. I served on several committees and became more involved with my church. Through God’s grace, I was able to share my story and reach out to people. The focus became less on me and more on others. It was a wonderful feeling to have a renewed purpose in life, to have happiness and an inner peace again. I felt that the Lord was watching me every step of the way. It wasn’t always fun times though. The Lord had to do some work in me. I needed healing, I needed to forgive my ex-husband and I needed changing within myself. All of this could only happen through Jesus and it did. I was becoming a new person in Christ and I had to learn to let go. For it is through letting go that the healing process beings. “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” 2 Corinthians 5:17. I think 2 of my greatest challenges were loneliness and healing from the sting of rejection. I wanted to feel loved and I feared being alone. One day I said to the Lord: “I am in so much pain from the rejection of one person, how great your sufferings must be for the many times that you are rejected.” The Lord in His goodness took care of these obstacles for me. He placed wonderful people in my life and I became connected to good things. I realized that I was never alone because God was with me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I could call upon Him at any time and He would be there for me. One year after the divorce, my annulment came through. I started praying and had other people praying for me that someday I would remarry. Year after year, I remained single. Looking at it now, I was trying to do things my way and not the Lord’s way. I had to learn to pursue what God’s purpose was for me because He knew best. It was God’s love that I needed. He would provide for me in ways that no one else could. All that was required of me was trusting in Him. How could I not trust in the very ONE who suffered and died for me? “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13. I know that trials and tribulations will always be a part of life. To survive in this world is difficult at times. However, having Jesus makes it easier to weather the storms. He is my rock that I cling to. The Lord will never leave us. “So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous hand.” Isaiah 41:10. So life with Jesus after my divorce has been an incredible journey! At times I felt like I was on a roller coaster but Jesus was in the seat with me the whole time. Today thanks to God, I am a person of deeper faith and I have become stronger for myself and my children. Serving the Lord has given me so much joy. It was the love of Christ that transformed me into the person I am today. Jesus is my foundation and I am solid! I don’t know what lies ahead for the rest of my life but I am trusting in Jesus. He is my happy ending! “My Jesus, you know I have placed you as a seal on my heart. Remain there always”. –St. Bernadette Soubirous Testimony by: Madonna Bennett October 7, 2020 |
