Right before we have baby Peter was ordered to leave on a work trip. We saw this trip as a trial. There is so much to do still before baby gets here: house projects, ministry projects, and preparing for baby and yet God is our rock in the chaos.

James 1: 2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials for many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Everyone has their stuff and the old man haunting them. We were reminded of Romans 8 and Romans 12. Being separated made me realize how much I had been struggling with my identity in Christ. 

Through out the day the Holy Spirit would speak to my heart.

Romans 8: 1-2 “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.”

Romans 8: 26 “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.”

Romans 12: 2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

As my heart would battle throughout the day I would be reminded who has everything under control and pray for peace. Sometimes our hearts have to break for us to be rebuilt. Each day after praying together Peter and I would talk about the victories we had in Christ. Each day my heart would struggle and I knew where to turn.  

One day my heart was really struggling. My mind was filled with lies and anger but my heart was reminded of the verse that says ‘all you need is the faith the size of a mustard seed’ as my heart believed I txted Peter the verse.  The phone rings right after. He calls to tell me he’s coming home!

Only God fully understands the aches of our hearts, how I longed to be with Peter and how to meet me where I was at. Peter is home now and we are so thankful how God has grown our marriage through the unexpected adventure we went through.