Nickie & Michael
Albany, Texas
"My beloved Michael and I were married in 2005. We loved each other and "loosely" followed God for the majority of our marriage. We attended church and prayed but lacked a genuine relationship with our Heavenly Father. Michael and I worked full-time jobs while raising our family and often, our jobs would be more important than each other. Michael had a very important and stressful job where he often worked nights, so I took care of our family's needs and tried not to bother him. I watched as my husband drifted further away from me, yet I was still completely shocked when he told me one night he didn't love me anymore; he hadn't loved me in a very long time; he didn't want to be miserable the rest of his life; and our daughter deserved to have parents that loved each other. Michael and I separated. Until he filed for divorce, we were both angry, bitter and completely nasty to each other. Right before he filed for divorce, God softened my heart and I decided to fight for our marriage. I cried out to God. For 9 1/2 months, I lived apart from Michael but during that time, God softened both of our hearts. He pruned so much bad from our lives. Standing for our marriage was a roller coaster. When I tried to run the show, I cried all the time and dealt with anxiety and sleepless nights. When I finally let go and told God I couldn't handle it, He filled me with peace in my life — no anxiety, no constant crying and no more sleepless nights. Yes, there were days I doubted we would be restored because I could only see what the enemy was showing me. From the outside, my beloved looked happy. Later, I learned he was terribly miserable. When I decided that our marriage was worth fighting for, I found numerous groups on Facebook. Several of the groups made me angry with Michael but then I found Jason and Christine Carver's ministry page, Standing Supernaturally for Marriage Restoration. I found hope in reading testimonies on restoration. I found resources that helped me grow in my faith. As my faith grew, I cherished my evenings when I read my Bible, deeply studied God's Word and prayed; I no longer threw up my prayers and hoped that God heard them but I got on my knees and talked to my Father. I would sing to Him, cry to Him and pray scripture to the One who loved me more than anything. One day, I threw up my hands and said, "Here it is, God, whatever happens, happens. I will trust and follow you." I ended up giving up my house. My daughter and I moved in with my sister. The night after everything was completely moved into her house, I got my "suddenly!" Michael texted me at midnight, and the words he said were the exact words I had prayed to God. I tell anyone who asks about my marriage being restored that only God could take two broken and lost people who despised each other, soften their hearts and then bring them back together. We have been restored for one year and four months as I write this. Trust has been a slow thing to rebuild, especially when I try to do things on my own and not take them to God first. Michael has been open and patient and has joined me in praying, reading our Bible and worshiping. He is the spiritual leader of our family. Michael is a completely new man. He quit his job. He's very involved in our family. We communicate about everything and he's more loving than he ever was. I thank God daily for how he changed not just Michael but me. When I had no hope, God brought me peace and I found hope in Him. The journey of restoration is different for everyone but I suggest that during your stand, you get to know the God who loves you so much that He sent His son to die for you. I'm thankful for my family, who supported and encouraged me to stand when so many others told me to divorce Michael. I'm thankful they did not hold a grudge and welcomed him back into our family with open arms. I'm thankful that God brought Michael home, softened his heart and changed him into the man that he wanted Michael to become. I end on this — strengthen your relationship with God and ask Him to heal you as well as heal your spouse. You do not have the ability to fix your marriage. Your spouse does not need you talking at them; instead, they need you to be quiet and pray for them so that they can hear God's voice." Nickie mentioned finding our ministry Standing Supernaturally for Marriage Restoration. Connect with us at www.StandingSupernaturally.com/
