This is great news!
We all enjoy good stories that begin with “Once upon a time” and end with “happily ever after” in the same way as Disney movies and children’s fairy tale books. Even the Bible begins and ends in such a way, but what about everything that happens in between the beginning and the end? The hard stuff; impossible circumstances, heart-breaking realities, tear-stained pillows, regretted decisions, accidents, a devastating health diagnosis, death, broken relationships, words we wish we could take back, decisions that haunt us…mistakes, over reactions, sin. None of us are exempt.
For background into Lysa’s in-between here is a video clip of her announcing that she had breast cancer…“Art and I are both praying for a miracle and walking the road to healing. We are clinging to the promises of God on this journey full of twists and turns, ups and downs. There is often a process God will take people through to prepare us for the Promise. We are a work in process. And this process is often messy and unpredictable. I don’t know exactly what tomorrow will look like but I do know who I’ll be looking to … The Lord … whose love is unfailing and whose hand is the safest place to entrust my hope.” Video: Click here.
She was declared, post surgery, cancer free here…
We applaud for the underdog, and hope and pray for those we know who are suffering. We don’t live in their skin and experience the fight they endured to get to where they are.
We don’t know the in-between for Lysa TerKeurst and her husband Art, but we cheer them on as they seek healing for their family.
I reached out to Lysa for an interview but due to scheduling limitations she has put a hold on media and publication commitments. I totally understand! I was told by her staff, “We’re so grateful for your heart to share about and support Lysa and Art’s reconciliation. I know they will be so thankful for your prayers and encouragement.”
A year ago I wrote about Lysa TerKeurst’s open letter explaining the reasons she filed for divorce. We mourned with her.
Today we can rejoice with her!
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Romans 12:15
She has the best news for her family; they are doing the hard but rewarding work of reconciliation.
This is the outcome I hoped for after serving my first husband with therapeutic separation and later divorce papers, and I know it’s the outcome most of my readers hope for when they finally make the decision to serve their husband with the same legal paperwork.
It’s rarely about wanting a divorce. No! It’s about forcing our spouse to see the gravity of what has happened and hoping, praying, and waiting for the gift of repentance to gloriously show forth its fruit.
God does not use repentance as a form of punishment or shame. Quite the contrary; it is our invitation to healing, power, wisdom, blessing and restoration. Repentance is a gift; it is our right! There is joy to be found in it. Oh, that we would all understand and welcome this process when we need it…and we all need it!
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. Acts 3:19-20 (NIV)
I’m not sure how I missed this terrific, God-glorifying, joyful news for the last 3-4 weeks. Maybe because I’ve had the worst three months of health problems due to auto-immune disease flare-ups and it has stolen my summer from me. Whatever the reasons, I saw Lysa’s good news on the internet for the first time last week. I’m genuinely ecstatic for her and her family, and I know you will be too.
*Above photo and text from the official Lysa TerKeurst Facebook page.
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Continue to pray for Lysa and her family on this road to restoration. Although I can’t speak for Lysa, I imagine healing will be an ocean of waves like it is for most women. Doing alright one moment, overcome with emotion the next; thinking you’re going to make it, wondering if you can hold on for complete healing, forgiving…remembering…smiles, tears. It can be a roller coaster, but prayer to our faithful God and a daily relationship with Him makes ALL the difference.
God takes our broken and makes it more beautiful and valuable than our earlier state; much like Kintsugi, also known as Kintsukuroi. Most people would like damages to their broken items to be concealed and hidden by repair making the object look like new. But the Japanese art of Kintsugi follows a different philosophy. Rather than disguising the breakage, kintsugi restores the broken item incorporating the damage into the aesthetic of the restored item, making it part of the object’s history. Kintsugi uses lacquer resin mixed with powdered gold, silver, platinum, copper or bronze, resulting into something more beautiful than the original.
What do you do when God’s timing seems questionable, his lack of intervention hurtful, and his promises doubtful? Preorder Lysa’s newest book here… It’s Not Supposed To Be This Way
If you have suffered betrayal this new blog might be a place of encouragement and validation as you walk the long and difficult road of restoration. Afflicted Hope
Are you in need of your soul being ministered to, or need music to help you praise God for what He has brought you through? I highly recommend Ellie Holcomb’s Red Sea Road CD. It’s beautiful and healing.