Stay Put...

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Birthday celebrating in my animal slippers because of a foot injury. Didn't phase this group.

"Stay" you command your dog. "Stay put" you instruct  your toddler. Maybe the directive is given with encouragement to a co-worker enduring a testy job situation.  There are times in life the command "Stay put and pray" just works.

We'd rather hear, "Go!" 

God gave that welcome command in Exodus 33:3 "Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey." And in Joshua 6:4, "Go" march around Jericho seven times and blow those trumpets! 

Yet, God told Israel to "stay put" while they were captives in Babylon.  An angel told Joseph to "stay put" in his engagement to Mary and go ahead and take her as his wife even though she was pregnant. An amazing Moses moment came in Exodus 14:13-15..."Don't be afraid.  Just "stand still" and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again.  The Lord himself will fight for you; you need only be still."

When counseling a distraught spouse who is ready to run from a marriage, because it is not worth the work, the "stay put and pray" counsel is a worthy course to recommend when abuse is not involved.  With February being "heart" month I will try to focus on heart issues, marriage matters and the love of God.

My husband and I have the opportunity to counsel couples in various stages of marital discord and from various locations. Not necessarily in our church. Occasionally this month, I will post a response from a woman I counseled from a distance. She had bravely chosen to see her marraige as a treasure from God and battle for restoration to occur even though there had been a hurtful betrayal. My assignment for her was to ask the Lord to give her a verse to hold onto each week and a song to soothe her aching heart.  God worked in amazing ways and their marriage is stronger and their family intact.

When I post "Marriage Matters" it will usually be from what the Lord gave this young woman to hold onto.

One of my first emails to her held this quote and verse.

"When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away your ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer."  Corrie ten Boom


Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9


The Song

“The God Who Stays” Matthew West

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPwd_TQpsHY



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