Friday, May 31, 2013

More than you could ever Imagine.

I am joining Lisa-Jo Baker and others for Five Minute Friday. Lisa-Jo provides us with a word prompt and we are to write for five minutes with "no extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation."

Today's word: Imagine


GO

There was a time when imagining a different life for my family seemed pointless. All I could imagine was continued heartache. Our life was dark and loveless. I mean we loved each other but we didn't do a very good job at loving each other.

When I'd dare to imagine, a life without my husband looked like a better life. The image led me to leaving my husband.

Then came the time while going through extensive outpatient therapy for an eating disorder when the therapist asked me to write—to imagine—what my future could look like. I was surprised to find myself imagining my husband and I back together and being blessed by the addition of a little girl to our family of four.

I was certain of the image I had of my husband and I together again. A life without my eating disorder I could not imagine so having another child never came to be.

Soon, imagining it could be more than it had ever been just left me in tears. We would never have all that my heart could imagine.

The problem was I never imagined God finding a place in our hearts. Even if I had, I could have never imagined how God can transform. I don't think God ever intended for me to imagine what it could be. He wanted me to believe. He wanted me...us...to believe in Him.

Do we spend our days imagining or do we believe? Maybe we first imagine and then believe. But He will do so much more then you could ever imagine.

He took our family of four and redeemed. He filled our hearts with love.

Believe...and then leave your future in the hands of the One who already knows what it holds.

"You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed."
~ Psalm 139:16

STOP

If you would like to read more on how God redeemed our family, below are two posts I wrote:
Redemption for a Family - Part 1

Posted by Simply Beth at 12:00 PM
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19 comments :

  1. Karrie S CombsMay 31, 2013 at 1:24 PM

    But He will do so much more then you could ever imagine.....God is good that way isn't He! So happy your were renewed by His unbelievable love for us! visiting from five minute friday

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    Replies
    1. Simply BethJune 1, 2013 at 11:14 AM

      He is good...so good! Thank you for stopping in Karrie. Many blessings, Beth.

      Delete
  2. JenniMay 31, 2013 at 2:57 PM

    What a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. Simply BethJune 1, 2013 at 11:14 AM

      Thank you for stopping in, Jenni! Wishing you a wonderful weekend. Blessings, Beth.

      Delete
  3. UnknownMay 31, 2013 at 4:23 PM

    Dear Beth
    Their was a time when I had no hope for my marriage either, but I refused to give up and started praying that Pappa would redeem my family too. Today we have a wonderful love filled home with both my husband and I as well as my sons following our Lord! Great is His faithfulness.
    Happy FMF
    Mia

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    Replies
    1. Simply BethJune 1, 2013 at 11:15 AM

      Mia, Your comment makes me smile. With God there is hope...oh how there is hope. He will do amazing things. Much love to you. Blessings, Beth.

      Delete
  4. BARBIEMay 31, 2013 at 7:27 PM

    Oh Beth, He is the Redeeming God! We do not dare to imagine sometimes, but oh what He can do. So thankful for the restoration He brought to your family.

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    Replies
    1. Simply BethJune 1, 2013 at 11:18 AM

      "oh what He can do." Amen!! Thank you for stopping in Barbie. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Blessings, Beth.

      Delete
  5. UnknownMay 31, 2013 at 9:19 PM

    Beth- I sometimes wonder what would happen if we took the time to imagine a better way, and then believe Him as the better way. I hear all the time that certain people "can never change," and I think, "Really? Isn't it a fundamental belief of Christianity that God changes all?" You make such great points all over this and His story of redemption in your life is an inspiration.

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    1. Simply BethJune 1, 2013 at 11:20 AM

      Yes...God changes all! He is an amazing God. Thank you for stopping in and for sharing. Blessings to you, Beth.

      Delete
  6. Jacque WatkinsJune 1, 2013 at 2:34 AM

    What a beautiful redemptive story...stopping by from FMF and so glad I did!

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    1. Simply BethJune 1, 2013 at 11:21 AM

      Thank you for stopping in Jacque. I loved how we both shared on how He can do more than we can ever imagine. Have a wonderful weekend. Blessings, Beth.

      Delete
  7. MelissaJune 1, 2013 at 7:29 AM

    I love the way you connected imagine and believe!Thanks so much for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. Simply BethJune 1, 2013 at 11:21 AM

      Thanks for stopping in Melissa. Many blessings.

      Delete
  8. RachaelJune 1, 2013 at 12:06 PM

    Such truth here! I love stories of redemption. What beautiful connections here. I also love how God answers prayers but often not like we imagine that He would. Blessings to you! Love, Rachael @ Inking the Heart

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  9. Our Stories God's GloryJune 1, 2013 at 3:35 PM

    I am so blessed to see that you imagined...and you believed! What a beautiful God story. Thank you for sharing your heart and your inspiring story. God is Good!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Stephani CochranJune 1, 2013 at 5:04 PM

    Beth,

    Yes, He will do so much more than we could ever imagine and sometimes we imagine some pretty wonderful things. It's awesome to think of what that perfect unimaginable some day will be when we are with him face to face!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With GodJune 2, 2013 at 4:12 AM

    Beth,
    Wow...what a powerful testimony to what God can do when we not only dare to imagine, but really believe! God has redeemed your family - to Him be the glory! Thanks for sharing from your heart! Love you, Bev ((hugs))

    ReplyDelete
  12. ReneeJune 2, 2013 at 7:50 AM

    Beautiful post, Beth! Thanks for opening your heart to us. God bless you.

    ReplyDelete

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