Rhonda & Mike
Murietta, California
"My name is Rhonda. Mike and I married 34 years ago. Five years ago, I discovered his affair, and I was devastated. We had a good marriage, were high school sweethearts, and best friends. He was a good dad. He had a great job, was well-respected, and valued integrity and honesty. Looking back, I see some areas that could improve, but I attributed his behavior to a "mid-life crisis." God told me not to give up the night I discovered his affair. Mike tried to end the affair, but it continued. He left our home for six weeks. I told him I loved him, forgave him, and prayed for God to restore our marriage. Mike returned for a month but left a second time, and the heavy spiritual battle began. My mom, a friend, and I met weekly to fast and pray. My friend gave me a word from God - my marriage would be restored, but it would be work, like Nehemiah rebuilding the wall. Although raised in church, this was the fust time I fully understood who God was and His power. Mike asked me to stop praying a few months later because he was never coming home. Again, I told him I would never stop believing and praying for what God had promised. If he wanted a divorce, he would have to be the one to take that action. Mike sat there in silence, staring at our family portraits for what seemed like an eternity — then he got up and left. I knew God wasn't done yet, however! Seven and a half months later, our miracle happened. Weeks before, I had sensed a shift in my spirit and his behavior. He wanted to come home but didn't know how to escape the mess he'd made. He asked me to pray and not give up on him. Those months were the hardest, and he was struggling and double-minded. But God definitely wasn't done with us. I held onto hope even when I felt I couldn't take any more pain and uncertainty. After three years, the affair ended, and Mike and I started our journey to restoration and healing. Two broken, wounded people were trying to return to our former love for each other. Repentant but still struggling with feelings for her, I watched him grieve. Despite that, Mike worked to make our marriage work as much as I did. Standing and healing after an affair is one of the most difficult things I have ever done. I had to leave it all in God's hands. Four and a half years into our restoration, we are in a better place than we ever were or imagined we could be. It's been a long road, but it's worth it to have the marriage that we have now. You may think you can't take anymore and nothing is changing. Trust me, you have no idea what God is doing on the other side. I now know God was answering my prayers. If you're praying, God is working. He hears your every word. If you're standing for your marriage to be renewed, use this time to sit with God and let Him work so you're ready when He brings your spouse home. If you're in the restoration stage and think you'll never get over things or trust again, it's possible. You can't speed up time, so give yourself and your spouse grace. I'm grateful I didn't give up. God was with us every step of the way, and Mike listened to what God was telling him to do. He was vulnerable and transparent with me. God has allowed me to share my story of His power and grace. I pray it touches your heart and gives you hope. If you have one takeaway from my story, it's this: God is good even when our circumstances are not. He can be trusted no matter what. He never breaks a promise, and He is always faithful! Always! Don't give up! God isn't done writing your story yet, and He will bring beauty from your ashes."
