No Dead Ends

By the time we met Jake and Samantha, they had already decided to divorce.

"We're only here because we promised our families that we'd try one last time," Sami explained, "But we've already spoken to the lawyers. This is a dead-end marriage."

I listened quietly, praying as Samantha spoke. I could almost feel my wife praying beside me. In ministry and as Standing Stone shepherds, we've walked alongside a lot of couples, some healthy, some hurting. This situation looked pretty hopeless. But God doesn't do hopeless.

Lord, I prayed silently, please help. I can't save their marriage. Please do what only You can do.

We mostly listened to Jake and Samatha that day. Every now and then, we'd ask a question or reflect on something one of them said. It didn't feel like a particularly profound time, and I felt discouraged as I watched them leave. My wife and I promised that we would pray for them, and we did, but--if I'm being completely honest--I didn't expect to hear from Jake and Sami again.

When Jake reached out to get another meeting on the calendar, I prayed, "Thank You, Father. Please forgive me for not trusting You more. Thank you that there are no dead ends with you." I called my wife to let her know, and we redoubled our prayers.

One meeting with Jake and Sami turned into several meetings that stretched into months of meetings. My wife and I watched as they slowly reconnected. The first time we met this couple, they sat on opposite ends of the room. By the end of the eighth month, they were holding hands on the couch.

Over many months, Jake and Sami worked through years of disconnect and hurt. Ministry can do that to couples. When you're busy doing church work, it's all too easy to let your marriage suffer. Gratefully, God's work is much bigger and deeper than we perceive. As Standing Stone shepherds, we get to be part of His plan to restore marriages like Jake and Sami's.

I love serving our no-dead-ends God!

This story was provided by one of our Standing Stone Shepherds. As Standing Stone shepherds, we get to see God rebuilding ruined lives and restoring places long devastated. We even get to participate. It's an honor to work with couples and individuals God is restoring to Himself. If you have ministry experience, and are interested in Become a Shepherd, please click the link here: https://standingstoneministry.org/become-a-shepherd/