On an unusually sunny Tuesday in December, we dressed up a bit and whispered healing words, heartfelt promises, and holy vows. A million prayers. A miracle answer. A marriage restored.
Art and I renewed our wedding vows in our backyard surrounded by those who’ve walked closest with us these last few years. It was so personal and meaningful to seal our commitment in the very place we can once again do daily life together.
It hasn’t been easy or simple, and I still cry over what was. I still find myself wishing the hurt wasn’t part of our story.
I also wish that hurt wasn’t part of anyone’s relationship story. I know for some of you that you prayed, and hoped, and worked, and tried everything you could but the reconciliation never came. If I could sit with you right now, I would weep with you and simply say, “I’m so sorry. I don’t understand either.”
I wouldn’t offer you plastic sounding answers. God doesn’t want to be explained away, He wants to be invited in. So, we would just invite His presence and ask Him to help. Redemption is possible even when reconciliation is not.
Throughout this long process of healing, God has whispered deep into my soul, “I haven’t ‘cursed’ you with this. I’ve ‘entrusted’ you with this.”
May we all be found fiercely faithful no matter how our stories go.
And may we never doubt we serve a God who still does miracles. Sometimes they look like we hoped but other times it comes in the most unexpected unfolding.
Trust that only God knows the full story. He is working. He is hearing and shifting and intervening and convicting and stirring and doing what only He can do.
God does some of His best work in the unseen.
2.4.2019
Monica Ramirez says
February 11, 2019 at 4:50 pmPraise God! I love to see this! God bless you guys!
Lureta says
February 11, 2019 at 8:31 pmHow amazingly wonderful is the Father’s love!! I’m so glad He is still in the business of miracles, for you, for me and so many others. We give Him praise!
Thank you for allowing us on this journey with you because it helps to highlight God’s goodness and faithfulness.
Lisa Murray says
February 15, 2019 at 5:36 pmSo loved the Encounter Tour last night in Morganton NC. Love your books and how God uses you and your story to reach others for Him. Thank you for your willingness to let others in❤️
Bulleh Bablitch-Norkeh says
February 17, 2019 at 8:27 pmHello Lisa. I am the founder of Girl Power Africa. Thank you for your wonderful heart. You may find out more about our efforts in Liberia at http://www.girlpowerafrica.org
May God continue to bless you and your wonderful family.
Bulleh Bablitch-Norkeh
HK says
February 20, 2019 at 12:59 amHello Lysa,
God lead me to your story as I was beginning to lose hope! I felt so alone. Thank you for sharing. It has encouraged me tremendously to keep pressing into gods plan through all this pain. We share very similar stories.
In church service this evening, god spoke the very same words to me. “I entrusted you with this”
I’ve been stomping and screaming “why”? I will never understand, I just have to trust. I see the miracles god is working in my husband and our marriage.
My heart breaks for you, I truly understand your pain. Most days now are great, and then I catch some of that pain again. Praising and praying through it. Nothing will ever be as, it was. Putting god first and trusting the process. He is faithful.
Sincerely,
HK
Michelle says
February 21, 2019 at 10:15 amLisa, I have been ministered to by your devotionals for a few years now. I always look forward to hearing what you have to say because it’s real, God breathed, and always pertainent in my life. I truly praise our Lord for the gift He has given us in you. Open, candid, transparent and trusting in God…. your words are a breath of fresh air…no pretence, no hard and fast solutions… just real. I rejoice with you and Art in the renewed vows… my husband and I went through that in 2007. Our life together now is better than it ever was. Our God is amazing. Love you.
Fancy says
February 21, 2019 at 12:23 pmLysa,
I need prayers. I am only three weeks into a shattered heart because of addiction and lies in my marriage of 24 years. I am reading your book It is Not Supposed to be this Way for the second time around in three weeks. I am barely able to put one foot in front of the other on this tight rope and I don’t know how to go on. I am living in the fear of the unknown. No contact from him in three weeks and I don’t know how I am supposed to move forward. Uncertainties of my finances and responsibilities are weighing heavy on me. I am leaning into Jesus……….
Julie says
February 26, 2019 at 4:50 pmThank you for sharing your story. I’m in a very similar circumstance and your writings have been so helpful. God has used your book to speak directly to me throughout this storm. I am grateful you were willing to be transparent and exposed.
Lisa Seeley says
March 2, 2019 at 12:05 pmLysa,
Thank you for ministering to us in your hurt, and continuing to minister to us in your joy. My dreams of reconciliation over my 18 year marriage that has been plagued by sexual addiction and betrayal have finally been handed over, as we are getting a divorce. I was in the middle of reading your new book when I found out you and Art were reconciling. I am deeply embarrassed to admit that I put the book aside for a couple weeks, fearing it would end up leaving me more hurt in hearing about yet another reconciliation that others get to experience but I don’t. I am deeply ashamed that my first reaction was not to rejoice with you. That showed me just how much everything I had been through was affecting me, because it is NOT like me to be jealous or selfish like that, but I recognized that was exactly what was happening. So, I rejoice with you now. How selfless of you to recognize how your reconciliation might cause others who didn’t get that answer to grieve. But as Christian women, we need to rejoice with each other just as we mourn with each other. You have sacrificed much to minister to us during your darkest seasons- you let us reap the benefits of lessons learned through your pain rather than bottle those hurtful moments up and refuse to share them with us. You have made yourself vulnerable in the hopes of helping others. And you have. By the way, I did finish your book and I’m glad I did. It has definitely helped the process of healing my heart. I am praying for you and Art. Obviously, reconciliation is hard work and isn’t perfect and rosy, and I know that. And also, please thank Art for humbling himself to agree to you sharing your story with strangers around the world. I pray God blesses your marriage so much more than before. I pray He repays you and Art for your selfless decision to share your real, raw story in an effort to help others. I believe He will.
TA says
March 8, 2019 at 1:17 pmLisa Seeley, if you haven’t watched any already, please go immediately to You Tube and search for Affair Recovery. Watch Rick’s story and watch Samuel’s videos. I think you will find help and healing and maybe even hope. Perhaps it really isn’t too late. God bless you, Lisa. I’m praying for you.
Javan says
March 8, 2019 at 12:20 amHello Lysa
Am one of those that where hurt and felt your pain through your divorce. Am so happy and thankful that you reconciled and renewed your vows. Your testimony is very encouraging considering am in the middle of a separation. Thx for sharing. God bless
Audrey says
March 19, 2019 at 7:50 pmSo happy to see this. Loved your incredibly earnest interview about this on focus on the family and have been praying for you guys. Thank you for being so open during this struggle- it was such a blessing to hear someone in the middle of it still speak of God’s plan for it while being real about the pain. I feel like most stories you hear are after the fact when someone has gotten through something and it makes it feel less real sometimes. Going through this while on your position seems unimaginably hard but in this position you ministered to people in a way that isn’t being done much/touched a relatively untouched corner. Thanks for being so real with us and faithful through it all. Praying for you guys moving forward!
Patti Kazmierczak says
March 22, 2019 at 11:05 amLysa, I read, “Univited” beginning of last year. My friend gave it to me to read while I was going through treatments for breast cancer. I’ve read other books of yours since then, because it’s like you speak to me. You’ve been through the same things that I have gone through. You inspire me to be a better person. And I hope that I can help others like you do.
Ellie says
May 21, 2019 at 7:50 pmLysa is amazing! What an amazing story of her renewed marriage. God is a God of miracles, what a wonderful Savior we have!