Jenn & Curt
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
"I'm Jenn, and my husband is Curt. Two years into our marriage, he started doubting the Christian faith. He continued down that path until he walked away from that faith and from me. I continued to stand firm on my faith and grew closer to God. Curt wanted a separation about year six of our marriage, so he sent me back home to live with my parents for about four months. Curt is in the military, so we did not live near our families. My heart hurt so much. When he finally said he wanted me back, I thought the miracle had happened. It only lasted a month until it seemed to go back to him resenting being married to me. About a year later, he again told me he wanted to separate. This time, he sent me away for five or six months until, again, he wanted me back. Like before, I thought the miracle had happened but God gave me the verse Jeremiah 24:7, "I will give them a heart to know Me, [understanding fully] that I am the LORD; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart." This was the promise I stood on, so I knew it was not final yet. Curt had not yet returned to God Throughout the waiting, God showed me how to love Curt the way 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (AMP) describes: "Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking; it is not provoked Inor overly sensitive and easily angered; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. Love never fails Lit never fades nor ends. But as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for the gift of special knowledge, it will pass away." I had an extremely difficult time because Curt was not living Christian values, yet God told me to love him the way He loves me. I told him I could not do it myself and needed Him to do it. One day, my grandma died and God told me to go home to visit my family. Curt informed me he would not go because of his work. I was so scared to go home because I thought Curt would tell me not to come back. I confided this to God and He said to trust Him. I obeyed and when I returned two weeks after I got back, Curt told me he'd returned to Jesus. My prayers had been answered! We have had a long healing journey and are still learning and healing but I have discovered that God is faithful and His word is final. As we continue to grow in love and forgiveness, we are becoming closer to God and closer to each other. Some days are harder than others. As I care for my heart and he continues to care for his heart and we focus on our relationship with God, we are able to show up better for each other. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that I will be held accountable for my actions, words and reactions. This is not based on what others do or do not do but on what the word of God says. His ways are perfect."
