Ministries

I was holding my baby in my arms when the lights went out. I called my husband and said, "Honey, did you forget to pay the bill? The lights went out." He shockingly reported that there was just no money. "Until when?" I asked. He reluctantly responded that he wasn't sure.

We have our own business. We had to pay the installers, buy equipment and supplies. Then, we had what was left. The economy had just begun to slide and this month, nothing was left. I cried softly, so as not to scare the little angel that God had entrusted to us to provide for. I prayed inwardly so only God could hear my fear. I felt disrespected and lost. I was mad... That was 6 years ago. Everything worked out. My parents came to our rescue. But what really got worked out through that season was a lesson in communication.

My husband felt obligated to handle all our problems on his own.  He felt it was his role to keep me safely "in the dark". Some men feel they have to guard us. What must be guarded is every conversation, every emotion and every decision. So we walked and talked. We concluded that we had to be completely transparent going forward. We had to trust each other with 'the real' and insist that information would never be misused. We vowed to pray and be patient and understanding with each other.

Here's the challenge ladies--When your man says you can't afford that new pair of shoes this week, how are you going to respond? Before the work-out comes the stretch. Your reaction may determine his level of disclosure in your relationship. We cringe, but responding calmly and with a heart of understanding should be our favorite thing to do. The more understanding you are, the more he'll ultimately want to gift.

I know through weakness we become strong. I know through vulnerability we are protected. I know the willingness to be exposed assures that we will be covered. I know the more we give the greater we prosper. I know that what we air will be illuminated. Initially, we think the challenges to overcome in marriage are finances, fidelity, commitment. One of the problems is that satan creates confusion. The solution is God-nurturing knowledge. When the lights go out, do not turn on each other--turn ON Jesus. Let Him right in the middle of your mess. He will shine beams of Heaven into your situation. Jesus said it himself in John 14:6, "...I am the Way and the Truth and the Life..." (AMP) and in John 8:12, "...I am the Light of the world." (AMP)

Copyright © 2011 by Michelle Isaac. All Rights Reserved.