A friend and I were reminiscing the other day about our time in college. As a matter of fact our conversation was focused on the bad choices we had made in life. We are both divorced single mothers of 3 children all together, ranging in age from 4 to 13, so we were looking back at the mistakes and especially at the good men that we rejected while in college. It was hilarious. All we had to console ourselves was the fact that now that we are both Christians we know that God was in control of it all and we are right where we are supposed to be today. We both agreed that we have learnt strong lessons from our experiences even the negative ones. But something she said really stuck in my head.
This particular boy, and I'll call him Richard, and I were a part of a group of friends. Richard came from extremely humble beginnings and was known around school as the guy with the weird car. He had actually built that car himself from parts of other cars. Anyway Richard had a crush on me. It was no secret. But at the time I could not see past him being a good friend. Besides, I really was not trying to have a boyfriend. Well here it is some 15 years later my girlfriend is telling me how well Richard has done in life. He has his own business, he is married and get this...his wife is a kept woman. Considering I was a few days away from eviction, out of work and out of money, the thought that I could've been a "kept woman" was for a split second more than I could stand.
How awesome it was that God would quicken that conversation and that statement in particular, days later when I was crying out to him concerning my present situation. I was frustrated and weary, but then remembered the scripture I had been hanging on to for dear life, Isaiah 54, this is the scripture where the Lord declares to me that He, the Lord Almighty is my husband. He promised that I would not be put to shame or disgrace. With that illumination I refocused my prayers to "Oh Lord, you are my husband and you are the head of this house and a good provider. That is how you outlined it in your Word, so Honey, is it ok to call you Honey? I am not going to be anxious about anything especially about the things that are your responsibility." It was then that the sweet Holy Spirit assured me that I too am a kept woman. In fact, we as single Christian women - mothers or not - are kept women.
Let me appeal to the single moms right now. For the many times that you go through and it feels like no one in the entire world understands or even cares to take the time to understand, when you are exhausted after a day of wearing all the roles that are required of you, let me assure and reassure you that you're the wife of the Lord Almighty. Your husband loves you totally and unconditionally and He understands and cares about everything you are going through. My sister, He is not sitting idly by and allowing the enemy to destroy you as it sometimes feels. The enemy can only go so far and no more. Our God, our father and our husband will only allow our adversary to go as far as will do us all good and give God all the glory. Constantly communicate with your husband and you will find that He is there and has always been there for you, as you take time to worship Him you will find refreshment and assurance in his embrace. Seek Him and trust Him and you will find that He does provide all your needs and often even your wants.
The Word of God declares He will have compassion on us. He promises that his unfailing love for us will never be shaken. He further declares in Isaiah 54 that no weapon that is forged against us shall prosper.
Rest for a minute, contemplate, now smile because you are, I am a kept woman.
Jeremiah 29:11 - declares that God has a plan and purpose for your life.
Isaiah 54 - assures us that we will not be put to shame, that God is our husband so we can shout for joy and sing out loud.
Psalm 23 - The Lord is our shepherd and our provider
I like it!