We call her Sister-Wife…and we are in awe of her.
At nineteen, she gladly left the comfort, support, and love of her birth family to accompany her newly-wed husband to Atlanta. He promised her that Atlanta was the land of excitement and great possibilities.
At twenty-three, they were separated because he found excitement and great possibilities in other relationships. By this time, they shared a son who they both loved. Hard decisions had to be made. She decided to stay in Atlanta because she had a great job, supportive friends, and just maybe, reconciliation was possible. He had other thoughts. By the age of twenty-six, they divorced, but remained friends for their son’s sake.
Before she left home at nineteen, she attended church and knew about God. After the divorce, she joined a Bible teaching church, got involved, and began to know God for herself. The Holy Spirit began teaching her how to love out. Loving out means showing the divine love of God beyond one’s comfort zone to those who are unlovable, difficult, selfish, and disrespectful. Loving out means allowing God to pour His love through you to those who desperately need it, but do not know how to seek God for it.
Without her or us realizing what was happening, the reality and power of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and Matthews 5:43-47 was indelibly imprinted into her heart. Over the years and through many trials, she learned to be patient and kind. She learned to not be envious, boastful, proud, arrogant, rude, or to keep a list of wrongs done to her. She learned to love, bless, and do good to those who probably would not do the same for her. She became God’s visual aid of what loving out looks like.
When she was forty-eight, (physically beautiful, mentally sharp, and spiritually mature: all of that and a bag of chips) the call came. “I have cancer.” He wanted her stabilizing presence and spiritual maturity for him and his wife during this final part of his journey.
They shared a son. She came along-side: sharing God’s love, prayers, and calming presence to him, his wife, their son, and his two other sons by two other women. Loving out.
Nine months later, when she was forty-nine, she helped his wife plan his homegoing and attended the service and the repass – letting the love of God radiate through her. His wife kept showing her gratitude with lots of hugs and thank-yous.
She is my daughter. We call her Sister-Wife…and we are in awe of her.
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WOW! She is my Shero! What a wonderful example of allowing God to use you. This took humility! God is going to do great things! Love you much, Sis
Amen.
What a beautiful testimony. I know this Sister-Wife and her strength over the years has been unparalleled. May our Sister-Wife’s later be GREATER than her first!
Amen! Amen! Amen!
This Loving out is very interesting. Before I received Christ in my heart I gave my heart to my son’s father’s. I became very close to their father’s family and today they still call me family and sister in-law. I visits and stay in close contact with my son’s grandmothers. On the other hand their father’s was unfaithful and hurt my heart. But, the love of God in my heart became more greater than the pains I experienced. Today because of Gods unfailing love to me, that Agape love prevails. Loving the unlovable is hard on the flesh, but that unconditional love never fails.
Such an awesome story to be shared which is needed in these times. This shows us that Loving out means letting God shine more than ourselves and allowing Christ to increase while we are decreasing. God spoke into my spirit years ago not to keep score for the wrong that was done to me, because he was the righteous Judge. This story shows us that God can mature us in removing the pain done to us and focus on the needs of others. It is true what the scripture said “we must overcome evil with good” and let our lights shine in these dark times that God will be glorified!
Shirley, I am glad you agree that God wants us to let Him judge. Feel free to share it with everyone you know who wants to grow in love so that they will know what Godly love looks like.
Wow!!!!! That’s powerful
Loving Out. Loving outside of myself and my circumstances
That’s good
Sandra Wayne, God’s love in you is powerful also.
That is what I think all around maturity looks like. She evolved in every area of her life. Being bitter or holding grudges will not get you anywhere in life. I think I would have done the same thing when it came to still being friends with my ex-husband making sure our son was happy and making sure his needs were met. She truly let her light show by helping with the arrangements and she was an example for their son and his other siblings.
Tiffany, she was a visual aid of the power of God’s love for everyone there, whether they believed in God or not.
It is sometimes hard to forgive someone and move on but because of the love of God and the training in childhood allows you to forgive and move on. Sister-Wife is a great example of love.
Helen Smith, thank you for joining the conversation. You are correct – it is sometimes hard to forgive someone, but we must for our own sake.
I believe that in life we do have trails & test but if we are rooted and grounded in the love of God we can forgive as God has forforgiven us. We all make and are still making mistakes, but it’s not for us to judge that is for God to do. We can not hold on to the wrong that others do to us. We can love them and pray for them and let God do what only he can do. I would have done what Sister-Wife did because she was a Good example to follow.
Arletha, thank you for joining the conversation.
Dorothy, This is a beautiful testimony. So many women can identify with this, it offers hope, encouragement, and support for those who just don’t know how to handle this type of trial. Thanks for being transparent.
Gloria, thank you for joining the conversation. Please pray with me that other women who may be going through trials will RECEIVE the hope, encouragement, and support this testimony offers..
What an touching example of the love of Christ. God has a way of healing, delivering and setting one free so that others can see His glory. Thanks for sharing!
Robynne, welcome and thanks for joining the conversation.
Action speaks louder than words. Her behavior spoke volumes. The true and genuine love of God was revealed in this. His mercy and grace, His compassion, and His forgiveness are all shown as she loved out. To God be the glory for her being an example and a witness of His love.
Action speaks louder than words. Her behavior spoke volumes. The true and genuine love of God was shown in this. His grace, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness were truly shown as she loved out. To God be the glory for the example and for her being a witness to others of His love.
Amen! And thank you, Ola, for joining the conversation.
I’d never heard the term “loving out” until now. What a great story!
Charlotte Greene, thank you for joining the conversation. Your responses are welcomed.