RESTORATION: He HEALS the BROKEN in HEART & BINDS up their WOUNDS.

When I entered my wilderness season, The Lord led me to read Jeremiah 29:11; “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”

Perhaps it's a little strange given it's such a well known verse of scripture, but I really don't think I knew the verse at the time, even though I had been a Christian for around seven years. What I do know however, is that the timing of reading this verse was perfect, and even though I was suffering, I knew I was not abandoned. I knew He was with me, even when it seemed no one else was.

Soon later and over my years of singleness, when I felt so alone and weary, He continued to give me promises. Verses of being rebuilt and refreshed; I knew there would come a time when I would be a joyful bride. I knew that He knew how I felt, and that He would provide for my children and I a godly man to be the head of our family...even when I could see no suitable ones for us around. Sometimes it was difficult to hold onto His promises when I looked around and most everything I saw was still barren, but I held onto the hope of everything being able to change in one day with The Lord...I knew nothing was impossible for God!

“Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers.” Jeremiah 31:4

“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten...You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, And praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you...” Joel 2: 25a;26a.

Psalm 68:5-6 says, “Father of orphans and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God gives the desolate a home to live in; He leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious live in a parched land.”

God is such a good Father. He loves us, His children,
more than we can comprehend.

I believe, without a doubt, that even during difficult times He is working things out for our best interest. For we know from scripture that He works all things together for the good of those who love Him, and nothing can stand in the way of His will for those He loves.

There were times when I cried, feeling like the world had made me a widow. Rejection and loneliness at times seemed to be a taunt, and there were times when I was quite weary. Yet it was in the wilderness The Lord ministered to me in a way I had not experienced before. Just like Hosea says, “Therefore, I will now allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.”

The Lord provided for me and my boys, time and time again in both a super-natural and very personal way and it was more than enough, so much so that there were times when I wondered if I really needed a human husband...yet the desire for one remained. But most importantly it was the desire for His planned man for the boys and me I desired most, as I knew that making the wrong choice with this matter was not a part of His plan for us.

There were times when I'd see the happy faces of people going home as families together with their loved ones after church, and I'd wonder, “How long?” But psalm 68: 5-6 not only says He cares for the widow, it also says He gives the desolate a home to live in...another translation uses the word 'lonely'.

I know what it's like to be lonely for a complete family. I loved my boys but struggled with a piece of my heart being empty and a part of my family missing. I knew we needed a Christian husband, I just didn't know who he was or where I'd find him, so I waited...and prayed...and waited and prayed...

I know The Lord is good and truly does want to heal our broken hearts and bind up our wounds. I encourage you today, with whatever you're hurt is to be patient.

Keep prayerful and hopeful. Don't rush into anything.

Be wise about all matters of the heart. As children of the One most high, trust Him with your precious heart for that is exercising true faith.

Become strong in times of weakness by prayer and reading the Bible. Remember being patient in times of suffering produces endurance and godly character, if we let it...

God does restore, so keep prayerful. Be strong in The Word and do not lose hope in the One who never fails!

Love Melanie.