Don't Give Up- A post from one of our members to encourage you, to give you hope

Yesterday was one of those days where God was spanking me a little here, a little there. I have been trying desperately for the past couple of months to stay positive and hopeful but due to life, more life, big life, I sank into a pit. I had a pity party and invited no none, not even God. Yet, like Job, I kept repeating, "Yet, I know my redeemer lives". In spite of life, though my feelings shouted otherwise, I know you are there."

I would whisper a little prayer here and there but without passion or emotion. I kept showing up every day and trusting that God would provide. He did.

For over a week now he has been putting people and "manna" in my path that have been only from Him, nothing else, noone else. A friend drove down from Knoxville Tn to pray with me and talk to me. He returned home at 2am. Another friend called and "preached, testified and encouraged" me for 3 hours until 1am in the morning. Checks came in I didnt expect and even little things like my little granddaughter grabing my hand out of nowhere and saying "I wuv you ganpaw.". His fingerprints were all over these pieces of heaven.

I got up yesterday morning at 4am to drive to Birmingham to do a live Radio interview. The whole way over I was griping to myself and God about having to get up so stinking early and talk about a book that I wrote ages ago that few people are even reading anymore (The Marriage Turnaround) On top of that I spilled my Starbucks. It just wasn’t a holy sunrise for me.

After I arrived, the 2 DJ’s- David and Russell prayed for me. During the prayer, I was struck by the amazing opportunity in front of me, to speak to thousands of people and encourage them to not give up. While on the air, they kept taking the discussion back to the topic of trusting God even we we are devoured by depression, when our heart is not where it should be (like having to drive to Birmingham at 4am :), hanging in there even when we don’t want to . As we talked about the book and the need for hope in marriage, I was overwhelmed at the response - phones rang throughout the hour and throughout the day at the radio station. My inbox filled up throughout the afternoon.

God taught me a lesson in the studio today and even afterwards. I found this post this evening on my website from a young man who I have never met in person but whose heart I have grown to love through our correspondance. If you want to be encouraged, read this post and listen to his heartbeat:
http://www.mitchtempleonline.com/forum/topics/dont-give-up?xg_sourc...

Yes, today was a day which reminded me that God can work for years after we have labored, planted seeds and even laid the plow down on projects and made a mess out of our efforts. Even when we "give up" and move onto other things, He still works through "our stuff." This affirms that what we do is not about us or our talent, that our marriage is not about us, being happy, meeting needs but about Him and His business. Marraige is bigger than you and me. We are nothing without the amazing power of our Creator. Neither is our marriage. He works miracles out of darkness, dirt and disaster. He can work in your mess today, if you humble yourself and let him lift you up. I know.

Don’t underestimate whatever it may be that God has you doing today, tomorrow or even days gone by. It's human to gripe a little and mumble here there but, be faithful and let God do His thing.

"... do not become weary in doing good."