A decade ago, there I sat pleading to understand more. Something was wrong, terribly wrong. The words I will never forget, “I’ve fallen out of love!”

The sentence just rolled off the tongue not knowing it would slice the heart in two leaving only hurt, pain, and disbelief of what had been lived just two decades before.

How can this be? Why me? I only gave Lord, and now you taketh away.

We don’t always understand and know why things happen. We are consumed with our own thoughts and ideas of how life should look.

Almost seventeen years of marriage, my husband admits he has fallen out of love. My inner cry… Lord, why me? All I’ve ever done is to serve you, to love you. What does all of this mean? Where will this leave me? What about my five children?

Hope gone in just a sentence. Heartbroken in just a breath.

We don’t always get what we ask for, at least not in the way we think it should show up in our lives.

Instead, we are placed in situations, given circumstances to groom our hearts, to expand our minds, and to strengthen our soul in seeing what God has destined before us.

The K.I.S.S. ~ Hope for long days!

You may be treading water, wishing that life was better or different.

But how much of that has been you at work with God at the helm?

Yes! God calls us to work, not just to sit and wait by doing nothing.

We are to be still and know that He is God. (Psalm 46:10) But that stillness does require action.

It’s not about waiting until lightning strikes. It’s not about waiting for the fireworks to go off so you can see the beauty in the dark.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

Hope for long days is found in you trusting God and having faith.

Now understand that this is not by a certain measurement. This is truly acknowledging God and letting Him know every day that you are in it with Him.

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” ~ Matthew 22:37-39

I had no idea where I would be the next day. I didn’t know if my world would be turned upside with my husband leaving me and taking our children. 

Every day was exhausting. Every day was defeated. Every day was empty. 

Or was it?

My days were long, but I still had hope. I didn’t settle with what the world expected me to feel or hope for. 

Exhaustion, defeat, and emptiness were placed at the foot of the cross. I did not bare any of it alone.

Most people who didn’t know what was going on, and that was like 99% of them, had no idea what was really happening in my life behind the four walls. 

Why?

Because I didn’t walk alone.

Hope for longs days is found in your journey with Christ. Nothing in this world will fill the void in your heart, mind, or soul except Jesus Christ.

Today I stand in His presence knowing that by His strength, power, love, grace, and forgiveness, all battles are fought at the foot of the cross. 

I have hope beyond anything I can imagine because I have God who loves me unconditionally; no questions asked, no excuses given. He loves me completely. And He loves YOU!!!

“Don’t let your circumstances of today dictate the outcome of your tomorrow. God loves you!” ~ Kristianne Wargo

CHALLENGE: Where are you placing your hope? And in whom are you placing your hope?

Be honest with yourself. Use this as a time of reflection, not a time of self-deprecation. You are not taking yourself to the battlefield to beat upon you. Be honest, raw, and real.

Let the tears fall and your heart soften to hear God’s whispers just for you!

This year, my husband and I celebrate over three decades together. Have they been perfect? No! But they have been beautifully carved and cared for by God who loves us more than we can love each other.

Hope for long days!

“Be present. Be incredible. Be YOU!!!“