I wish we were sitting face to face, over a cup of coffee as I share this heartbreaking reality with you.
As many of you know, I experienced great loss in 2010 when my dad passed away and then 5 months later, my younger sister Melissa passed away. In 2014 I experienced another loss….I had a miscarriage. On May 5, 2014 my mom passed away.
Today, as I look at my childhood family vacation photos, I am the only one left living, this side of Heaven.
Another recent loss was the Red Caboose, our coffee + frozen yogurt shop, which was purchased and shut down in May 2018.
Great grief, heartache and loss has brought me to my knees more in these past 8 years. When I find myself thinking “its not supposed to be this way. Haven’t I been through enough already?”….I am reminded that this journey is not my own. And pain truly is our microphone.
The evening of November 16, 2017, when I was blindsided, has truly become the worst day of my life.
Seven months ago, I learned that my husband, business partner, the father of my children has been repeatedly unfaithful to me with a realtor in our small town, bringing an end to our marriage of almost 13 years. My heart in sharing this information is not to harm or shame Reed, but to help explain the absence of his presence in my social media feed and blog posts, as I have openly shared my life with you since the beginning of our marriage. And if you’re local…..this is why you haven’t seen us out as a family. Private messages and emails have been sent to me almost daily since Christmas and rightfully so, as I have been a blogger/ influencer for over 12 years and have openly shared my life online.
I made the decision not to divorce Reed when I found out about his infidelity. I was committed to doing everything possible for our story to be one of restoration and a great come back story, even in the midst of the worst kind of betrayal in a marriage. This decision was not easy, but built on prayer and wise counsel from pastors, family and friends who have loved and believed in us from the very beginning. Deep down in my heart, I also knew this would be the way my own parents would have encouraged me.
When I found the burner phone in December I immediately contacted our counselor and we prayed……and I replied to his mistress as if I were addressing my own daughter, who was playing with fire. All the words that would normally come to mind in regards to a mistress, believe it or not- would not be found in this text. I simply asked her to leave my husband alone.
When the mistress aggressively continued to deceitfully pursue my husband, I decided to contact her mother, as she still lives at home and is employed by her parents. It was actually her mother’s response that truly made me question where I live. I know this world is not our home, but it was in her response “so, what do you expect me to do about it?” I was shocked……and I knew right then and there that I was dealing with pure evil.
We clocked hours and hours of counseling between November 16th and December 21st. Reed even booked flights for us to escape to San Diego for Christmas…..to invest in our relationship, but 48 hours before we were to depart, Reed told me that he didn’t want our marriage to work out and that the kids and I should just head to Boise to spend Christmas with my family.
In January, Reed filed for divorce. I was served divorce papers, while drinking coffee at the Caboose. Even still…….I was committed to fighting for our marriage.
I believe I have the capacity to love and forgive Reed, our marriage verse was 1 John 4:19, which I had engraved in his wedding band: We Love Because He First Loved Us.
How can I not forgive?
I am a forgiven and loved child of God, who doesn’t deserve a seat at the table…..but I do. Not just a seat, but my name is on it. So, how do I not extend that same offering? It’s hard as hell. But as my soul is heavy with sorrow, God’s Word has been my strength, my saving grace.
The Gospel has become so tangible to me these past 7 months. It’s in my face. So loud and clear. It’s scandalous. It’s messy. It’s black and white. It’s about laying down our lives and our preference. It’s a true story of betrayal, forgiveness, death and love…..and in the end……the ultimate come back story in all of history. Even in my own nightmare, God is still good. He sits on the thrown. His eye is on me. This was not a surprise to Him.
Much loss and transitions are in the very near future for my children and I, including our home and our car. In the midst of being forced to make these kinds of financial decisions the betrayal continues to run so deep. I was made aware that my mother-in-law [who just so happens to be a counselor] recently listed her home with Reeds mistress. The additional loss of family members has added to the hurt. This is the kind of crap you see on tv. Behaviors get excused in the name of wanting people “to be happy” in the end…..not thinking about the devastation the act of infidelity and divorce really has on the spouse and children. It’s unbelievable. The heart is meant to be led, not to be followed.
Sadly, I have repeatedly forgiven and accepted Reed back, but he continues to betray, be unfaithful and dishonest with me.
After much prayer and counsel from wise, biblically-minded mentors, I have decided that Reed has truly abandoned our marriage. I have handed this over. This is in the Lords hands. I need to step out of the way. I will continue to seek counsel towards my own healing, while praying and believing for the Lord’s will and way in all of this.
I will not lose heart. Giving up in life has never been an option for me….and will not be an option now. As my pastor spoke over me 7 months ago…..”this will not take you down.” I believe in the power of prayer. I believe in miracles. The Lord has been so so good to me and I believe He will do it again. Whatever that may be. Whatever that looks like.
This season has been heavy and burdensome, yet I have peace. I am grateful for the mentors in my life who are committed to helping me heal and move forward.
Never did I see D-I-V-O-R-C-E or single motherhood being part of my story. I have avoided sharing this with you as I wanted so badly to skip over the broken and ugly part of this nightmare and jump straight to a celebration. Everyone loves a great comeback story. But it’s in the raging storms that we grow so much in wisdom and understanding. And it’s in the brokenness that God meets us where we are, restoring us and makes things new. He is in all the seasons. He is in all the details.
“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13 This is one of many verses that I am clinging to in this deep grief my children and I are now walking through.
Please pray for me. Please pray for Ezra and Imogene. And yes, please pray for Reed.
XO
Jeff Buchanan - Kelli,
I can’t express how sorry I am for your loss(es). Angela and I loved leading our Life Group with you guys and were so excited when God opened up this opportunity for you in Montana. I’m sure the grief and anger I feel is only a fraction of what you’ve experienced. I won’t respond with trite platitudes of “There’s hope for the future.” or “I’m sure God will provide someone else.” Now is the season for Godly sorrow and mourning. I do believe God will bring redemption from this but it will only be seen once you’ve navigated this current valley. Please know Angela and I are praying for you and care about you. Blessings.
Jeff Buchanan
Joanna Dickinson - Kelli, Thanks for sharing yourself in this unbelievable time. It can’t be easy! I never read blogs or respond but your story touched me and I wanted you to know I will be faithful in prayer for y’all!!
Renee weymouth - Love you Kelli
Sending love and hugs from your family in Arizona!
Were behind you always
Xoxo
Maria - Kelli – I’m so sorry for your loss. What a very painful loss. You have to fight feeling alone and know that the Holy Spirit is with you. He is lifting you up in this time. I love you and my heart goes out to you. I commit to pray fervently for you.
Love,
M
Kelli Ferguson - Kelli – I stopped in the Red Caboose and had the pleasure of meeting you and your sweet little boy Ezra while vacationing from CA. You left a mark on my heart with your kindness. I remember how you welcomed us in and shared your story of how you ended up in Whitefish and how we laughed because we both spelled our names with an “i” at the end (as it should be) I know that I’m essentially a stranger to you and yet we are sisters in Christ. I too have experienced loss this last year (my mom is in heaven) and I can only relate to all that you have suffered to a small degree by comparison. But I wanted to reach out and express my profound sorrow over what you have shared. It grieves my heart. Words feel so inadequate in a time of unspeakable loss but I would like you to know I am praying for our Savior to heal your heart, protect your children and to make you whole again.
Prayers and love to you,
Kelli Ferguson
Cynthia - Kelli, I’m so sorry for your loss and for the pain you’ve experience from his betrayal. Praying for you and your sweet boys.
Link - You are TRULY a GEM and you even shine brighter by how you respond in the absolute power of love and strength.
Extremely bummed for you and deeply saddened in my heart for how Reed chose to proceed.
You know Eph 6:10 and are operating in one of the 3 things that last for ever LOVE. Hats off to you Kelli and though my heart is sad. My hope is for you. With much love to you. Look us up when you’re in town. Bring the kids over.
Link
Donna - Kelli, I understand the strength it takes to be vulnerable. I no longer blog but did so over a decade ago. Most hide their struggles but it helps others to know they aren’t alone, so writing about it can be cathartic as well as comforting (to others). When we look at people and think they lived such charmed lives it can exacerbate the pain that they feel (feeling like no one is going through what they are) when they are suffering, so reading about someone else going through hardship but holding onto their faith is inspiring and extends hope. And it may be that someone who has been through it can reach out to you and give you the same in return.
I will say I’ve had a difficult time living here in WF, despite it’s incredible beauty. I know you left a place where you were happy to follow your spouse here. If people only knew what a sacrifice that is…it takes a strong, resilient and loving person to do such a thing so I’m taken aback that you, who have lost so much, have been abandoned by the one person who vowed not to.
I’m an orphan, too…I have no family outside my immediate family. So few can relate to such a loss or the tremendous pain of it. In my great loss, I’ve pulled back from the world, but I look at you and marvel at all you’ve accomplished, the lives you’ve touched, the way you made your incomparable business a warm and welcoming place and how you’ve embraced people of all backgrounds while living with such heartache. You inspire me…and you inspire many others. I will be in prayer for you and your family and may God restore everything that was taken from you.
“God, your God, will restore everything you lost; he’ll have compassion on you; he’ll come back and pick up the pieces from all the places where you were scattered.”
– Deuteronomy 30:3-13
Kelly Sverkounova White - This was shared with me, and honestly it hits me in the gut. This must have been extremely difficult to write…brutal, painful, even beautiful in it’s honesty. I truly believe your words will help others who may be feeling hopeless despair –find their way back to joy. I don’t pray as much as I should, but trust that you will be in mine.
Nadine - Kelli, know that there are many of us who are with you in prayer and pray that the Lord will restore complete joy to your heart and life. Knowing that others are responsible for their sinful choices, I join others in prayer that hearts will be broken and they will beg forgiveness for their sin and that the Lord deals mightily with those who choose to sin every day, knowing that it breaks His heart, as well as yours and your children’s.
Margie - To my sister in Christ
We have never met, spoken or posted each other. I wanted to make that clear to anyone who reads this. In all honesty I’d not be writing to you now except I read the comment made by “the other woman”. I would have followed your example & not use her name but she was brazen and posted it along with her reply to your blog post. Her “reply” was in fact longer than your post. Her efforts to excuse her actions led me to prayer & now to obey the Holy Spirit by writing to you. However the Holy Spirit has also instructed me to write to her.
Kelli, your heartbreaking experience has reminded me of Peter’s imprisonment. I know that’s a strange historical event to compare this betrayal & abandonment by your husband to but I’ll explain why in a little while. First I must address Kaelei.
Kaelei, I come to you under instruction of the Holy Spirit. It’s certainly not a task I planned when I awoke this morning but I strive to be obedient to my God. Kaelei, I have daughters so I’m going to speak to you with the love of a mother as if my own daughter had involved herself in such happenings. Let me be clear though, none of my three daughters ever would have.
Kaelei, you came to Kelli’s blog where she was extremely careful to not reveal your name, business name or family name and once here you brazenly used your own name. Before I speak of what your brazenness & lack of shame led me to find I wish to tell you we as Christians are unable to “bless” someone’s heart. We can ask God to bless their heart, we can say “May God bless your heart” we can even say “bless your heart” which implies beseeching God to bless their heart but to say “I bless your heart” means you consider yourself equal to Christ Jesus our Savior and to God. Do you? Is that the primary issue here, you consider yourself above all people and equal to our Savior? It would explain a great deal.
I’ll now address what your brazenness in attacking Kelli led me to find. Had you been concerned with bad publicity for your family or their business you’d not have accosted Kelli here. In revealing who you were you led me to do a very simple google search for a Kaelei in Whitefish MT who works in real estate & who is proud of having broken up a home. It led me to your facebook pages, your claims to be an actress in movies, your Mary Kay business, your family’s realtor business & your many immodest photos on the internet. It also led me to your many public attacks on a woman who was married to the man you have chosen to have an affair with.
Oh, please Kaelei don’t attempt to claim you only had “feelings” as your brazenness led me to find your copies of your sexually explicit text messages with a married man. Text messages which in your own words declare your sexual affair with him leave your claim of having only feelings rather absurd along with dishonest. You spoke in your post here of Christians not throwing stones & attempted to paint yourself as righteous but in all honesty my dear young woman you are in fact not righteous. It has been your own public statements and actions which have branded you an adulterous woman. You have attempted to excuse your actions of having an affair with a married man by claiming you “urged Reed” to return to his wife. Kaelei, God does not hold us responsible for another’s actions, only our own. Instead of “urging” Reed & then receiving him back into your arms, bed & heart you as a woman who claims to be of God should have closed her heart to him in all ways, cut off all contact with him and refused to have anything to do with a married man attempting to have an affair. Your responsibility to the Savior who gave all for you is to live as he has said is righteous. You did not do that. You offered your heart & bed to a man not married to you. And you continue in that sin. Daughter of God….STOP! Turn back now. Do not continue in this sin filled choice for your life. It doesn’t matter what Reed & Kelli’s marriage was or was not. It doesn’t matter if Reed’s mother likes you. It doesn’t matter if your mother likes Reed or if you think you’re some type of female sexual hero ridding to Reed’s rescue. You are disobeying God’s law. You are right now today driving nails into Jesus’s palms. It is your sins which are crucifying Jesus. Stop. For your own self. Stop. Not for Kelli, not for Reed, not for anyone but for your own relationship with God, STOP. You can ask forgiveness but if you continue you only sin again. Each and every day, each and every night, each and every time you take him to your bed you are fornicating & you become the adulterous woman. By having an affair, by having “feelings” with this man still considered married in the eyes of God you are crucifying Christ.
As I said you spoke in your post here of Christians not throwing stones & attempted to paint yourself as righteous but not only are you not righteous you are also in fact throwing stones. Throwing stones is an interesting phrase for you to have chosen. It comes from the event when the adulterous woman was brought before Jesus by the Scribes (teachers of the law). Jesus did in fact instruct them and us all that only those of us who are without any type of sin is to cast a stone. However, you’ve left off part of the story and it’s the most important part. While Jesus stopped the people gathered from throwing stones he also told the woman to “go and sin no more”. Jesus didn’t say “okay honey you go on & sleep with that man because his wife isn’t perfect”. Jesus said very bluntly, “go and sin no more.” Kaelei Christ is saying to you “Kaelei go, do not sin with Reed again. End it, move on and stop sinning.”
I sincerely believe Kaelei you’ll read this as the Holy Spirit has shown me you are obsessed with Kelli. It’s not only her husband you desired it’s her very life, her spirit. You wish to be what and who she is. That is so not of God. Your actions, your desires, your obsession with Kelli, your lies & attempts to make people believe you are the “victim” is not of God and is abhorrent to him. You poor child you have been blinded by satan & I want you to know I will be praying daily you are delivered from satan’s possession. So yes, you’ll return here & most likely attempt to post again. You are consumed with spreading hate. I feel such pity for you for your actions & for the future you’ll have if you continue. You will not like my words but they are from the Holy Spirit. My heart aches for the damage you’re doing to your own life. May the grace of God find you, may God bless you, may he resurrect you from this life of demonic action you have chosen. May God lift you from the bondage you’re in to the evil one.
Margie F
Kelli, thank you for allowing me to speak to Kaelei, as I said before your time or torment reminds me greatly of when Peter was imprisoned. As I’m sure you remember Kelli, Herod had James the brother of John arrested & put to death by sword. When that pleased the Jewish officials he had others including Peter rounded up & tossed in jail. Peter was to be put on “trial” then put to death after the Passover Festival happening at that time. Herod had Peter put under guard by 16 soldiers. However, the church was praying for Peter. They were beseeching God to set Peter free, to save him from this horrible and unfair event. The night before Peter’s trial & what would be the following execution an angel appeared to Peter. He instructed Peter to do five things. Things which not only apply to Peter and to us all but I believe applies specifically to you in this time.
Rise – He instructed Peter to rise as in stand up but for each of we Christians we’re instructed to rise from the old life, the slavery, the despair, the hurts, the sins and be a free & ready servant of God ready to walk where led.
Restrain – The angel next told Paul to put on his cincture (belt) which is traditionally a sign of chastity and purity. As Christians we cannot carry ongoing sins with us and follow God’s path. We also cannot carry the weight of hurts, sins of others because they too will weight us down. (I have to put that belt on several times a day!)
Ready – Peter was also told to put on his sandals. Peter couldn’t go anywhere without his shoes on because this meant he simply wasn’t “ready”. Do you remember as a child being told to “put your shoes on Kelli”? To me it was a signal my mama was taking me someplace. As Christians this instruction is for us to be ready to go wherever God leads us by putting on our “shoes” thus putting on the Gospel of Peace.
Righteous – The angel then told Peter to put on his cloak. In Scripture, we often find the cloak and the robe often equated with righteousness. For example, the book of Revelation says that it was given to the bride to be clothed in fine linen. The text goes on to say that the linen robe is the righteousness of the saints (Rev 19:8). It’s up to each of us as Christians to put on our robes of righteousness. We must choose each and every day to live righteously or we are not dressed to follow God in the journey he has planned for us.
Run – At last the angel commanded, “Follow me.” It was time to go. It was time to start the journey out of the jail to freedom. We too have been told “follow me” when Jesus told his disciples and each of us to follow him. In 2 Timothy 4:7 Paul calls the journey a good fight, a race. We must get ready & then when the time is right…run!
Kelli you’ve been imprisoned. You have been imprisoned by a husband who moved you to place away from family. You were also imprisoned by Reed’s weakness & his acceptance of being manipulated by a woman of sin. When he should have run to the safety of God & his wife for protection he turned belly up in submission to sin. You’ve been imprisoned by his family who have ridiculed you for your faith, for your pursuit of the heart of God and who now celebrates the destruction of a family God made because it upholds their own un-Godly choices. You’ve been imprisoned by a woman who sought to do you harm, a woman who sought not only your husband but your honor. In all honesty what I saw from the Holy Spirit was a woman who Reed was only a means to her true desire and that is to destroy a woman she is jealous of. You are the woman Kaelei is jealous of and she seeks to destroy you. She does not love Reed in honesty but only as a tool to harm you. She is blinded & under the control of satan. You have been held captive and now the angel has come. You have been told to RISE, RESTRAIN, get READY, be RIGHTEOUS and soon you will be told to RUN. Kelli I’m so proud as a woman of the way you have faced this, fought for your family, risen from the despair & hurt, restrained yourself from carrying the anger & hate that most of us would have deemed logical. I praise God for your seeking the Gospel of Peace & putting on your “God’s word & love shoes”. You got ready by not attacking but by clinging to God. You clung to his words & teachings, kept your heart open to Reed, prayed for & spoke in kindness to Kaelei. You have also striven to cloak yourself in God’s righteousness and you are now attired for the journey.
Soon, God will show you the new path he has for you. God will open the doors for you & your children, open the doors for a new time of joy, a new job, a new adventure & journey. Soon, God will have his angel shout “RUN!” and you will run the race for him on a new road that will lead to his joy & peace.
I look forward to checking in on you and the kids & seeing the miracle of God’s restoration of joy. Kelli you will be in my daily prayers. I promise to not forget or cease in praying for you & your children. And yes I’ll be praying for Reed too.
Margie F
Nurse Becky - Dearest Keli ,
I was heartbroken as I read this blog post you shared from your heart. I can only recall the first moment I met you and Reed as your Obgyn Nurse. And the excitement and love I saw in both your hearts during your pregnancy. I am so shocked at this news but I knew something wasn’t right when I was seeing the pictures of just you and your beautiful children. When you and I became more than nurse and patient and stated a deep friendship all the times we shared together at church events and vintage marketing sales all you ever talked about was Family. I am so sorry you have been hurt like this and disappointed that Reed felt it was okay to break up the bond and love of his wife and children (family) you are an amazing mother , friend and sister in CHRIST my prayers are with you all during this very painful loss . I always enjoyed stopping by the Caboose and seeing you and the children and Reed too. When I left WF it was hard but looking back over the 10 years I lived there meeting you was for sure GOD ‘s plan and path that was set before me. You are right he leads us on our paths and journeys and as his good Sheppard’s we follow TRUST and OBEY he will lead us in the path of righteousness. Hold on to the love , faith and believe that his plan will surely guide you through all the pain that has been placed in your heart never do we ask for trials but we do face many as Christians but not without our Lords hand holding ours through it all and then at times he just has to carry us remember footprints in the sand. I love you my dear friend and my prayers and thoughts are always with you. Your tears are my tears too. I lost my dad a few weeks ago to cancer so the pain and loss is still so fresh I understand ! Be strong turn to GOD and friends lean on them on me I am here for you ! My cell phone number here in Saint Simons Island Ga. is. 912-222-8263. Call anytime. ❣️😇🙏
Mandy - Kelli,
I am heart broken to hear this……praying. I don’t have many words now…just mourning alongside you and wanting you to know that. If there is anything i can do please let me know. Thankyou for being vulnerable to share…i pray these prayers are rising like incense to God and that He would hold you and Ezra and Imogen..that He would be close to the broken hearted indeed and provide all you need. You are loved Kelli…..
Sarah - Best coffee shop ever. Praying for you
Elizabeth Halliburton - Dear Kelli,
Thank you for sharing your story, it is Holy Ground.
Elizabeth
Lisa - It’s unbelievable that these things happen in real life, isn’t it? The stuff of television dramas and pop culture. I’m sorry you had to experience this. Your words are incredible and portray your faith, your strength and your desire to honor God. Having been through a similar situation recently, I empathize with you and want to affirm: God does work in wonderful ways, straightening what is crooked, redeeming what is lost, revealing Himself in the oddest places. Blessings, love, hugs and continued prayer, your cousin. xoxo
Susan Dews - Kelli,
Thank you for sharing your broken heart. Only God truly knows & understands the hearts involved.
“In the name of our Holy God and in the blood of Jesus I pray that the chains of the enemy will be broken and this family will have changes of hearts and victory that only You can orchestrate. Bring peace, direction and clarity to Kelli and the kids. May Reed not rest until he listens the the voice of Almighty God and make life changing decisions that bring him back into the center of Gods will. I bind the negative influences in his life in the name of Jesus. Amen.”
I love you Kelli!
Janine - Kelli,
I am at a loss for words reading your post. I know we’ve lost touch over the years, but you have always held a special place in our hearts. Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability in the midst of your pain. We will be praying. 💗💗💗 -Z&J
Shannon Ward - Praying for you and your family Kelli.
Christine - Kelli, I’m so sorry this happend to you. Unfortunately it happens way too often now, because people only look at marriage as a piece of paper, instead of a commitment. I hope all works out for you and your kids in the end.
Ash - I am shocked….
That you would write a post like this trying to expose your husband, his new girlfriend and your former in laws. To attempt to garner sympathy by putting it all out there in a blog post is an ill advised (you claim all you do is with the support of your pastors, counselors, etc) move. Heartache and deceit are awful but this public blog is not the spot to put this information. Your true friends will talk to you in person, you can reply to the notes of concern individually if you truly want people to know…but to use your blog and Instagram to over and over and over play the poor sad victim is really unfortunate.
Heather - The emotion and rawness of this, despite the situation has so much strength and beauty within it. I’m so sorry for what your heart is aching from, and the experiences it has had, and some aspects it still longs for. The love you had, the future you feel like you lost, but you will be stronger, and much wiser on the other side. The beautiful thing about the Lord, is He turns our sorrow into joy, and what the devil meant for bad,
He turns to good. There is no shame in being honest, and bringing this to light, and sharing what you are going through. Everyone experiences grief in different ways. Losing a marriage, you will grieve, and rightfully so. Yes, you may have moments where you freak out, cuss someone, cry your eyes out, long for him, pray to God a million times to take the pain away, or to return him to you, then freak out, and cuss some more. It’s all part of the healing process, and healed you shall be in time. The pain will become less. The attachment will lessen, and you will be alright.
You cannot change his decisions nor his heart. You cannot change her, or her heart. Conviction comes from the Holy Spirit, and sometimes people who chase after their own desires and live in their own selfishness will ignore it at full force. The Lord God is your avenger. What the devil has stolen from you, he will have to repay 7 times. Honey, your worst day finding this out, I promise, will end up being your best day. The Lord has so much in store for you, and your little that you can’t even imagine it.
You deserve better. A loyal, faithful man to his family, and children/or step children. Who loves the Lord and pursues the things of Him above all else, who loves you, flaws and all to no avail.
You will be the one better off in the end. Your heart will heal. You will love again. More so, you will trust again. He will do it again, to her, or someone else (I’m not trying to judge him, but when there’s an obvious issue of infidelity, that isn’t easily cured).
You will be the one living in freedom, and not in constant emotional chaos wondering what he’s doing. He is clearly in bondage, as disheartening as that is. What they have chosen to do is not of the Lord, nor can be blessed by the Lord. God does not send someone else’s husband to be another womans soul mate. You were her, that’s why He blessed your marriage with 2 beautiful children. Love them, be the best mother to them, protect them from the chaos. And know the Lord knew every day of your life before there was one. He has a divine plan and call on your life. Walk in the steps He has ordered for you. Above all, keep extending forgiveness, and keep protecting your heart from bitterness and anger. It’s too beautiful and precious to let one man get it clouded.
Much love and prayers to you.
Your latter days are going to be better than your former.
Trust Him
XO
Heather
Chelsey - I stumbled across your blog through Instagram this morning, and this post floored me. I immediately sent it to several friends, wanting to share the hope it gave me with all of them. I am going through nothing similar to what you have, but in my own hardships through life, seeing the joy and the peace you have that must be from the Lord has given me hope. His grace abounds, and it is abounding in you. Thank you for your vulnerability. I needed this.
Patti - Kelli,
I just found this post. It is December 31, 2019. As of yesterday, I was telling the Lord that I could not do 2020. My husband left me November 13, 2018. I have not talked to him since. He will not face me, did not tell me he was divorcing me, and has turned his back on our family (I have three adult kids). It is evil! I have clung to the Lord this past year! However, a divorce that should have taken months is dragging out to over a year. This grief is overwhelming. The unknowns are overwhelming. The betrayal and rejection are overwhelming. BUT GOD! I needed to find you today. God has kept me from bitterness and given me compassion for my husband. I know his shame is great. Yet, I need to trust God and know that He has great things for me and my kids. I can walk into 2020 knowing that my God is faithful! Thank you for sharing. You have encouraged me today. May Our Great God bless you richly! I am trusting the One who keeps me trusting!