To Gerald, Mike and Others

[Martha]

After reading the posts from Gerald and Mike in the post about Teach’s picture I felt compelled to write this. My heart hurts for you. I hope the following will encourage those of you who have experienced the pain and agony of divorce. I also hope it will help those of you who have not, to be more aware of the words you say and the things you do when encountering one who is in the midst of a divorce or even many years after a divorce.

I was divorced in 1993 after 30 years of marriage. The reasons are not important to what I’m about to share.

I had felt, for a very long time, as if I were a second class citizen in the kingdom of God. I was taught that you didn’t divorce no matter what kind of hell you were living in. No one in the church ever said to my face they thought I was a lesser Christian but the actions of some certainly implied that is what they thought. I actually had some look the other way when passing at public places so as not to acknowledge me. Let me say at this point that not everyone in the church treated me like this but there were enough that it was quite painful.

One Saturday morning I was driving to church for an intercessory prayer meeting. I was feeling about as unworthy as anyone could feel. Satan really talked to me that morning with thoughts like “who do you think you are, a divorced woman, going to pray intercessory prayer?” “You know God’s not going to hear you!” There were a lot of other thoughts that kept coming to me. By the time I arrived at the church I felt like I could have just crawled under the door. This was a meeting where you just sat, stood, knelt, or whatever you felt you should do. No agenda, just pray as the spirit led you to pray. I went in and sat on a pew. As I sat there, it seemed my prayer was going no further than just in front of my mouth. Finally, I prayed “God, if I’m not supposed to be here just tell me and I’ll leave and never attend another intercessory prayer meeting again.” I wasn’t saying I would never pray again, just not in a group setting like that. I sat there for a minute and suddenly I saw my self standing. I knew my body was still on the bench but there I was standing up. I knew that it was God speaking to me as he said “look down at yourself.” When I did, I saw that I was wearing the most pure brilliant white robe. There seemed to rays of light coming from my chest. I ask God what it was and he said “it’s my love coming through you to others.” He then said “This is how I see you. You are my daughter and you are worthy.”

No one will ever be able to make me feel second class again! I now know what my Father thinks of me! Am I perfect? Absolutely not! But my sins are covered by the blood of Jesus just as I was clothed in the white robe in my vision.

To Gerald, Mike, Rambo, and others who may be experiencing the painful things people say, just know this. God sees you the same way he sees me. You are covered by the blood of Jesus and NO ONE has the right to say otherwise. So, my brothers and sisters hold your head high because YOU ARE A CHILD OF THE MOST HIGH GOD!!! Let no one rob you of your heritage!

With Love,
Martha Maddox

[Pastor Gary]

Amen, Martha.

[Shellie]

Martha, thank you.

[Mike Vande]

The only places I get any grief about being divorced are inside my own head, and occasionally from some yahoo on this board.

Martha, thank you for sharing what God showed you. It really helps.

[teach]

that was beautiful martha!

wendy k

[Gerald Creasy]

Thank you Martha

[Martha]

The only places I get any grief about being divorced are inside my own head,

Yea, I know that voice well. I haven't heard it so much in recent years though. Once I realized who was talking I knew how to make it go away. Isn't there something in the Bible about Satan being the accuser of the brotheren?

[RamboPreacher]

thanks Martha.

It often amazes me how some folks can be so callus, and not even realize it when it comes to this particular topic - it happens and I try to give the benefit of the doubt as much as I possibly can. I have learned to (mostly) take it, non-personally. the challenge, is when there are comments and posts that are directed and alluded at me.

I can agree to disagree, but if it keeps on getting pushed, and pointed and prodded, even after agreeing to disagree, it can get difficult to not get hurt feelings. it is especially difficult when in one post someone will "say" that they accept me, and believe that I am saved, but in many, many other posts, they deny that "acceptance" with other pre-judgmental words and attitudes, denying that acceptance.

I know that my own righteousness is filthy rags, but I have been redeemed, and my righteousness no longer is what God sees. the Blood of the Lamb didn't just cover me, it cleansed me. woohoo!!!

[Dr. Ron]

Well said Martha....

And all you guys are welcome at Cedar Ridge any ole time.........If you are good enough for my Lord to die for, you are good enough for me.

[soulsearcher]

Martha, and the beautiful truth is that He robed you that way from the first moment you surrendered your life to His. Remember, nothing (No Thing, No Circumstance, No Person) can ever separate you from His love.

You remain a treasured friend, and a gifted Leader.

[pastorjason]

I wish we were close enough to work together again Martha

You have blessed me with the memory of your servants heart

Thanks and God bless and keep you

Jason8)

Ps tell the boys I said hello