“‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’” Jeremiah 33:3
One of the biggest challenges when Bob and I remarried was finding time to prioritize my time with the Lord. When I was alone and praying for restoration, I would get up early to do devotions. I had Christian music playing all day long in the background, I could listen to audio teachings from respected Christian leaders, I could attend multiple Bible studies each week.
If you were like me, when you were standing you probably developed a deep relationship with the Lord. I hear many people say they almost feel a bitterness toward their spouse because they have seen their quiet time change since their spouse moved home. In the restoration phase of marriage, you will need to lean on the Lord like never before.
You may be thinking, “Why? My spouse has just returned! Everything is going to be all right.” Remember, while you were alone during your stand you learned about forgiveness, faith, hope, unconditional love, and perseverance. You were in school, learning what the Lord wanted you to know, spending endless hours meditating on His Word. You learned volumes about God’s love for you and your family. Right now is the time to put into practice all you have learned. Don’t worry as the Lord calls you to do on-the-job training.
Your walk of faith has increased as you have grown in the Lord. You are now walking into Canaan, your promised land. You need to be warned— there may still be some giants that have not left, but do not worry; your Lord will protect you. The enemy will try to counterattack, as he is not a gracious loser. But he is defeated by your Lord Jesus Christ.
“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9
You need to continue to be faithful to the Lord in devotion time and Bible reading. Continue to pray for your spouse and family. Your schedule will not be the same with your spouse now home. Ask the Lord for some new ways to find time to be with Him alone. Your spouse may even be jealous of your personal time with the Lord. Try being sensitive to this issue.
Don’t become distressed if your spouse never truly understands how much you prayed and how you fought that spiritual battle for their soul. The Lord God knows, and He has answered those prayers. Rest in that assurance even if your returned spouse doesn’t understand.
It is imperative that you continue to gain a deeper personal relationship with your Lord. Be creative with your devotion time. The Lord knows your heart and your circumstances. Be aware of a subtle attack from the enemy to weaken your faith in your restored marriage.
If you are a female, pray that your husband will become the spiritual head of your home as the Lord intended. You may have shared this desire with your spouse while he was gone.
Make every effort to be faithful in church attendance. Your spouse may feel uncomfortable at your family’s own church. The one you love may ask you to visit other churches in the area. If this happens, visit and then pray for the Lord’s will. We hear frequent praise reports of returned prodigals being warmly received in their home church where they are once again loved instantly.
If your spouse is hesitant to attend church but does not mind you attending, go and leave your spouse in the Lord’s hands. Put the Lord first. Pray that your spouse will desire to attend church. If the Lord brought the one you love home, He can convict that same person regarding church attendance. Greatest of all, continue to pray for your mate’s salvation if they are not saved.
The Lord created you and your spouse. He brought you together as one flesh through marriage, and He has a great plan and purpose for your lives.
“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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13
Believe in your Lord Jesus Christ. Your spouse has come home, knowing that this is God’s will for them. The Holy Spirit will guide and direct you. Only the Lord knows what you and your family will be able to do for His kingdom in the future.
Here is how one woman handles her time with the Lord now that her precious hubby is home.
While my husband was away, I developed the habit of taking my toast and coffee back to bed each day to read and pray there rather than messing up a second area of the house. Depending on the day’s commitments, I sometimes had three hours to read and delve and cry out and rejoice and praise.
When he came home, I did the same thing, for half an hour or so, but it felt so separate and out of joint, and alone, that I gave it up and sat with him. The good thing is my husband is a Christian, so having the Bible in my lap was no issue. The difficult thing is he likes to watch morning tv news. I remembered the story of a devoted mother who had a flock of children and no quiet spot and no privacy. She sat by the fire in the kitchen, threw her large apron over her head, and prayed.
There you have it. I sit here beside him, tune out to the TV and read and pray. I was an out-loud prayer, now an inside prayer. Altogether it’s working ok for now, and there are days he’s out early, so I have longer. I’m hopeful it will change for the better, especially as we develop a prayer time together.
God bless,
