Via TJC
“…if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” ~ 1 Timothy 5:8
The following DBO is written by the wife of one of our authors.
I was born into a family where both of my parent's lives were filled with spiritual trauma. My father’s father’s death was shrouded in mystery. Was it murder or suicide? My grandfather’s death certificate was initially written as a murder but was then crossed out and changed to suicide. None of my father’s siblings had the same story regarding the event. After the murder/suicide, my father and his younger brother were shipped off to work on the railroad while other family members took in their sisters. Their mother was placed in a mental hospital. I don’t know if the family ever lived together again.
My mother's family had traumas as well. My mother lost her father to emphysema due to smoking when she was a young teen. This left my grandmother to raise her six children on her own. She was then killed by a drunk driver while crossing the street. I was four years old at the time. My grandmother’s violent death terrorized me. After 63 years, I remember that moment like it was yesterday.
Both of my parents lost fathers and mothers in violent, untimely ways. These resulted in spiritually terrorized lives. Is it any wonder that my siblings and I have had trouble finding our balance in life?
The spiritual trauma doubled for me when I met my first husband. His story was filled with abandonment, alcoholism, drugs, and physical abuse. But he was the first boy ever to show me attention. He meant well but had no experience caring for a wife physically or spiritually. After our children began coming along, his drug use increased. When this became known by the local authorities, I had no choice. He chose not to change. I had to protect my children. I filed for divorce.
At this point, I began diligently seeking the Lord. He asked me to allow Him to be my husband. For the next 23 years, He walked with me. He became my spiritual protector, cleaning and healing me.
Then, as He often does, suddenly, He brought a different man into my life. This Godly man had endured a divorce and been healed of his familial trauma. For the first time in my life, I had a man who not only looked out for me physically (opening doors, overseeing finances, and honoring me by listening) but also interceded for me spiritually. He patiently walks me out of fears and endures my learning to take every thought captive to Christ. He is strong, whereas I may be weak.
Daily Battle Order:
We will probably be tempted by trauma in the future. But my new husband is a man devoted to Jesus and willing to stand between me and our enemies in the spiritual realm. He does not abandon his post or run away when the pressure comes. My counsel to younger men? Be like my husband. Follow his example. He knows where to go.
Love Does, Indeed! ❤️