NOTHING I HAVE EVER POSTED BEFORE OR EVER WILL POST IN THE FUTURE IS AS IMPORTANT AS THIS ONE. IT'S THE STORY OF OUR PRODIGAL SON JARED AND HIS SECOND TIME WIFE.
 |
| Jared and Grace Draper 2008 |
Three years ago my world was turned upside down when my husband (Jared) told me he wanted a divorce and walked out the door bag in hand. I was shocked and completely devastated. So many things went through my head at that moment but what scared me the most was being alone. How was I going to support and raise our two kids alone? The thing is I wasn't alone. God was, is, and had been with me through it all! He came along side me to be a shoulder to cry on and my strength to stand on. He gave me family, friends, and a loving church to take care of me. He used such a difficult time in my life to grow in my faith in Him. I never stopped loving my husband. I prayed for him often and always held on to the hope that he would come back. Well, a couple months ago God did something amazing! He got ahold of my husband's heart and turned his life around! God brought my husband to himself and in doing that brought him back to his family. We are getting remarried April 12. I can't wait and I'm so grateful for what God is doing in my life and in Jared's life. He's given us such a beautiful story and all of it gives praise and glory to God! It shows His love, His grace, His mercy, His strength, His sovereignty! God is so good!
JARED'S TESTIMONY
I've re written this post a few times trying to get the words right but it's just easier to say what's on my heart! Three years ago I made the decision to divorce my wife (Grace) of almost 5 years. We had two small children but I still thought the best decision was to walk away and not honor the commitment I made to her! I have spent the last 3 years living for myself and trying to justify the decisions I made. I've hurt a lot of people by doing that and my heart breaks because of that! It wasn't until recently that God, miraculously, did a work on my heart and has not only brought me back to Him but has brought Grace and I back together. I am so excited to announce that Grace and I are getting remarried April 12th! Emarie and Austin, our two beautiful children, are so happy that mommy and daddy will be together! I can only claim that this is possible because of the power of prayer of Grace and other people that this is even possible! I am so thankful that she never gave up on me and continued to pray that God would change my heart! I only share all of this to say that God does work miracles and I am so excited that He is giving us an opportunity to get our family back together! I hope that anyone that reads this will share in our excitement and that it will be a testimony that God is a loving God. I'm so thankful for His forgiveness! I'm so thankful for the mercy and grace that He shows me everyday
Jared, Grace and children on their wedding day, April 12. 2014
Jared, Grace and children on their wedding day, April 12. 2014
Sometimes marriages cannot be put back to together for lots of reasons so we prayed for Jared to come back to the God who loves him more then we did. We prayed for strength and courage for Grace as she faced being alone. Then we put ourselves out there to just love on them and build up our relationship with both. Boldly we prayed, God make Jared miserable and ask others to pray the same and then we watched as God brought sweet conviction to him over and over. Loving others as Christ loves us is never a waste and it carries a punch
that our human love does not carry. Their incredible story is not over. The pastor who married them said it was his first time to re-marry someone and he challenged Jared and Grace to share their story of what God has done in their life so others will be encouraged to trust God for their love ones who have strayed from the Lord.
Is there someone you are trusting God for?
Is there someone you are trusting God for?
ReplyDeleteLast year I broke up with my girlfriend due to many misunderstandings and I remember very well how hard I had been fighting to get her back. She changed her number, changed her job so that I don’t visit her office and none of her friends would give me any information about her. The only thing I could do was to go find help from anywhere, so i looked for a way to get her back then a friend recommended me to contact dr.marnish@yahoo.com that he will help me and as my friend said, dr.marnish helped me to bring back my girlfriend just in 3 days, I now have her back and this is the biggest joy of my life
Gerri Detweiler
Never give up. Way to go Grace and way to go Jared! Betty, you are blessed. WOW! As you know my daughter is going through a similar time. I pray for her, our grandson and him every day. I pray he will be drawn to Jesus. Thanks for the encouragement this morning.
ReplyDeleteThis is the best post you've ever done! I couldn't agree more! When our Father shows His sovereign hand in our lives it's something to celebrate!
ReplyDeleteIt's been my honor to share this burden with you and Ace and the entire family. You know I always sensed Jared heart... he's strong, God goes further to bring them to submission and wisdom.
Congratulations to the whole family! And thanks be to our Father who answers the pleas of our hearts.
Praise God! He is so good and works things out in perfect timing.
ReplyDeleteThis gives me hope for a couple I'm close to. Many are praying God will intervene and re-unit what He once united.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Blessings.
Gerri, thank you for the beautiful testimony of your love for your girlfriend. I have never heard of dr.marnish but will certainly check the site out. We are always looking for resources to give to hurting people.
ReplyDeleteBill I knew this would encourage your heart. There is so much more I could write on the things we have learned about the love of God. One being, Jared and Grace story is everyone story, selfishness in a marriage will destroy it. It shows up in so many areas of our life when we are married. The pastor just continues to challenge Jared to love Grace like God loves the church. God has truly done a work in Grace life to forgive Jared. Unless we see our self even in our sin nature then we won't forgive, though we may never commit the same sins. I always think of Floyd's title for his blog...theregoi...we ladies who meet on Friday night will pray for your daughter and son in law. Thanks Bill for you comment.
ReplyDeleteFloyd, I knew you had been praying for Jared too, thank you. Jared has never been lukewarm which meant he walked in sin fully and now he will walk in God powers fully. They still have that road ahead that has the same weaknesses in their flesh that will crop up to tempt them. I am hoping they will read them testimonies often and be reminded how good God is.
ReplyDeleteFloyd, I knew you had been praying for Jared too, thank you. Jared has never been lukewarm which meant he walked in sin fully and now he will walk in God powers fully. They still have that road ahead that has the same weaknesses in their flesh that will crop up to tempt them. I am hoping they will read them testimonies often and be reminded how good God is.
ReplyDeleteWow Betty! What a powerful and honest post. You must be so proud of your son and daughter-in-law. They really took to heart what the minister said.
ReplyDeleteAnd you never gave up, never gave into despair. You are a real leader in prayer my friend. I am so happy for all of you!
Happy Easter!
Ceil
Oh TC I have been waiting till after they got married to write about it. Then when they both posted on fb their testimony I knew it was time. It seems the more we took our hands off of Jared the more God worked in his life, or maybe I can say, the more Jared knew it was God. Pray bold sister, pray bold.
ReplyDeleteCeil, thank you for the comments.
ReplyDeleteI do believe in prayer and know it changes me. I also know God will be God even if I don't pray. But one thing I did a couple of times was when our son was gone I would go into his room and pray over his shoes, his bed, his hats, his clothes. Also we had started to pray more with about his job which had gotten very busy. It so good to know God loves Jared much more then we do for He is with him continually. Several people have told us God is going to use their testimonies to help others. For that we are grateful. Blessings my sister.
Praise GOD! What a wonderful testimony. :)
ReplyDeleteLike TC, this brings hope to a friend whose parents are separating and thinking about divorce. Praying for salvation and restored marriage.
Thank you for taking the courage to share.
<><
How wonderful, Betty! What an amazing testimony you all have for God. Praise Him!
ReplyDeleteChild of God, thanks for commenting. Hope is exactly what comes to my heart when I think of what has taken place. There was a time I was afraid to hope because it looked hopeless. I have said this often lately, God is still God and good even if this reconciliation had not taken place. Blessings my sister.
ReplyDeleteJune, glad you could stop by. This post was such encouragement to write. Glad it blessed you.
ReplyDeleteWe have an amazing God.
ReplyDeleteNance, thanks for stopping by. It was an over whelming sense of God presence the day they got married again. It's the old old story of God's love bringing forgiveness and fresh eyes to view what is happening. I will forever treasure those precious minutes listening to our son and daughter in law speak their love once again, both knowing it was bigger then them for God was in it.
ReplyDeleteBetty,
ReplyDeleteWow...Congrats to Jared and Grace...Thank you for sharing this incredible story...So delighted and celebrating with you and them :)
Thanks Dolly, It's been encouraging to watch Jared wrestle with the conviction. To see the goodness of the Lord in our son. He is learning to appreciate God's grace. Blessings my wise hearted sister.
ReplyDeleteGod is good and He does answer prayer. Thanks Betty for this amazing story and the two testimonies by your children.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us here at Tell Me a Story."
Hazel, thanks for having a link to get it out there, it's encouraging to those praying for a love out of step with God. Blessings my sister.
ReplyDeleteOh Betty ... for all of us who have adult children, for all of us who weep, this story is a beautiful gift.
ReplyDeleteHe is risen. For then, for now! Glory.
Linda, that is exactly why I wanted to post their testimonies. I tell young parents build a strong foundation from the Word when your children are small and if they stray that foundation will be what they come back to. When Jared left the pig pen he ran back to that foundation, not to us but to the Heavenly Father. Thanks Linda for commenting.
ReplyDeleteSo exciting, Betty, to see God repair their hearts and lives! Yay, God! Please thank your son and daughter in law for their courage and transparency to share this story. It honors God and encourages all of us.
ReplyDeleteRe your comment on my post "This Transforms How I See Easter," Doesn't the history, culture and archeology of that time make it come alive? I agree. That helps me too.
Happy Easter, Betty!
Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com
Thanks Jennifer for your encouragement. It feel like a huge burden has been lifted off us. Happy Easter
ReplyDeleteHappy for you and yours. I WAS divorced, but have been married in a huge blessing way for nearly 29 years. Marriage can be a significant spiritual gift from the Lord. The first gift became destroyed -- from one way or another -- but the Lord is Bigger and stepped in to protect and keep. It's blessing. Yes, my former husband relied on the Lord when we married. 15 years later life changed. A year later, my dear one entered my world, my life. He's been a huge blessing.
ReplyDeleteThis was good sharing story, BTW. Filled with truth and reality. Thank you.
Betty, I had a walkaway Prodigal wife. Sadly, she never came home. But that doesnt mean that hope is not something to cling to. While she was gone, I prayed, cleansed my own heart and spirit, and clung to God. Even though i don't have her, I have a closer walk with him.
ReplyDeleteAnd so wonderfully joyous that this man has come home. It's easy to run, but very tough to be humble and come home. This is a real man to me.
Caryjo, There is life after divorce because life is in Christ and your post speaks of that. Your testimony gives hope to those who have to struggle with divorce. Thank you for your honesty.
ReplyDeleteDavid, praise the Lord you did not let what happen destroy you. God can take the most hurtful event in our life and use it to grow and mature us that would not had happen without the trial. It is true, in our darkest hours He will shine even brighter. Bless you my brother.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story and testimony, Betty. Floyd added you to my Friday favorites list and I'm so glad he did! This is beautiful and gives hope for the loved ones we want to see return to the love of the Father. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteJason, thank you for commenting. Floyd has been one of the prayer warriors for Jared even though they have never met. Ace and I have learned a few things this last couple loving our son unconditionally. God never waste anything that we turn over to Him. Pray all is well with you brother.
ReplyDeleteI love this line, "we prayed for Jared to come back to the God who loves him more then we did." Sometimes I forget that HE loves my family more than I do.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story.
What a fantastic story of redemption! This blesses my heart to read. We don't often hear of these kinds of reconciliations, so it's nice to know that they do happen. Thank you, Lord!
ReplyDeleteMary, we often forgot that truth too. Jared will tell you some of what drew him back was our unconditional love for him even though we hated what he did. God taught us a lot in ways to deal with our son. First and foremost, we could not fit him. Second there is life after because life is in Christ. Third, it is never a waste to love like Christ. Thanks for stopping by Mary.
ReplyDeleteLisa, your comment was along the same lines as the pastor who re-married Jared and Grace. He really challenged them to not only out that forgiveness but help others get to that place when troubles come. I still cry when I read their testimonies. They were both ready to give it another try. This time they go into the marriage with full knowledge of each other they did not have a the first marriage. Appreciate you comment Lisa.
ReplyDeleteThis is so Awesome! I can't tell you how amazing it is to see God hold someone's heart and massage it. So amazing that she leaned on God and kept praying. This is a story out of the Bible and how having faith no matter how long God Answers.
ReplyDeleteWow! What an amazing post! I shouldn't be surprised when God answers prayer and changes hearts, but I still am.
ReplyDeleteLincoln, so glad you stopped by. I prayed for those who would read these two testimonies. It's hard to see an end to our prayers when all you view is destruction. God is in the restoring business, first to Him then to each other. One cannot get through life without needing restored. And He gave us the choice to remain in our sin or be restored. Bless you brother.
ReplyDeleteChuck, so many times I just gave up thinking our son would never come back, yet all along God was working on his heart. When it seemed the darkest, God was there. It is His amazing grace that keeps us and draws us back to Him. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteHi Betty,
ReplyDeleteHave a great week,
Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com
This is such a wonderful testimony! Oh how great to see how God transform and repair broken marriages.
ReplyDeleteWanda, thanks for stopping by my site. It is a wonderful story of God restoring two hearts for His glory. I am leaving this post up for a while because there are so many parents praying for their son or daughter who need to continue to hope. And hope deferred makes the heart sick and we gave up so many times as we prayed for Jared yet God had never given up. Bless you.
ReplyDeleteHi Betty,
ReplyDelete5 years ago on Mother's Day 2009, my husband suddenly announced he was leaving for a woman he had known years before and reconnected with on Facebook. She had no children and a high class career; I was "just a stay at home mom."
A week later he, like Jared, simply packed a bag and left. We had just renewed our vows on Valentine's Day that year, and I thought he was my best friend. His leaving came as a shock to everyone who knew us, but most of all to my children and me. I was 5 months pregnant with our 5th little boy at the time...
Such sorrow and anger and confusion and TERROR went through that time. I know what Grace means when she says the thing she feared most was being alone. How do you raise 5 boys alone???
I also know what she means when she says she was never alone. I thought I had faith before, but every day I am learning what t means to live more in faith. God has not left us, and, although I continue to struggle financially, energetically, and in other ways, I would never trade the person my husband continues to be for the faith and Love I have found now.
When he first left, I prayed continuously that God would help him see the Light as Jared did. Now, as I wait for the final ruling on our annulment (The annulment he began because his girlfriend is such a God-fearing woman!) I sometimes wonder if I would take him back.
I guess the answer for that is that I have now learned my own worth, something I never knew before. I know I am valuable enough that God would want me treated better than I have been, but that said... God is also powerful enough to change my ex for the better, to use him for His purpose, and I would have to let God do that if He so chooses. I would have to keep my heart open and get out of God's way.
That is so hard to explain to people, and I still fight off waves of anger and betrayal as I look at how difficult these two people have made life for the boys and me and how easy their lives are.
I really admire Jared for turning his life around, but my Love and heart goes out to Grace. She is an inspiration. I am so proud of her for keeping such an open heart. Love and Peace and Prayers going out to all of you today.
God Bless...
Strahlen, thanks you for sharing your testimony on my site. Grace just called me and I read some of what you wrote to her. You are walking the truth that God never waste anything when it come to growing us in our faith. There is life after divorce because life is in Christ and you are proving that by the sweet honest words you write. I will be stopping by often to read your wise words. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteIt's so encouraging to read stories like this. No marriage is lost as long as we give God the opportunity to work in our hearts.
ReplyDeleteI have a couple in our church that divorced a few years ago and I'm praying that God will get a hold of the husbands heart and bring him back.
Caleb, I almost everyone I know has someone who need prayer about marriage issues. If our son had not had two children I don't think I would have prayed so hard for them to get back together. Jared has shared a place with us the last two years so when he had the kids they were at our place too. I have prayed over Jared room, his shoes, his clothes, his car, even his guitar, praying God would keep him from harm and bring him to the end of his self. All the time knowing Grace could marry again and Jared too then it would be more messy. My faith was growing every time I prayed and I was able to see God in little things and thank Him for working in all our lives. God would still be good even if Jared had not heeded God voice. I kept this thought before me...there is life after divorce because life is in Christ.
ReplyDeletessisong parentsGod amazes us again!
ReplyDeleteHe knows every step, every curve every fall, and still His plan unfolds!
Firefly...how true your words are. Reconciliation is the work of the Lord. He knows exactly when the heart is ready. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteJust a beautiful post, full of hope, love and faith. Asking the blessing of the Lord upon this special reunion! Much joy!
ReplyDeleteCynthia, bless you too my sister. I talked to a lady this past weekend who after reading about our kids on fb begin to hope again that her husband would come back to her. How badly we need hope these days that seem to be filled with so much turmoil and pain. How badly we need to reach out to others and encouraged. You certainly are one of those people who know how to reach out.
ReplyDeleteGod is beyond amazing.
ReplyDeletePraise the Lord!!! how wonderful for Jared and his family to be back together!!! Betty, I know you and ace are so happy for this wonderful answer to prayer!!!! Our God is so so amazing!!! We can never ever give up for He loves us so much!!!
ReplyDeleteThank You for visiting and Your sweet words on My post.I'm so glad I'm able to enjoy the miracle that You were able to witness for Your son and His family.I know as a Mother there is no greater miracle than the restoration of a Child's relationship with the Lord God-what a blessing.I am now Your new follower.I would be honored if You would like to follow Me.
ReplyDeleteA story with a wonderful fairy tale ending! But I know you had to go through much sorrow to get there. God can do anything! I must say that the story did not figure while looking at your profile picture! But I see it is someone other than you. I am so happy for you both!!
ReplyDeleteBetty, this is such a heartfelt post! God bless you, and thank you so much for sharing this. My heart goes out to you, and your love for God and faith in Him most definitely has carried you through.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind comment on my blog, you are most welcome anytime! It would be an honour. Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada.
Oh My, What a great God we serve! Nothing is impossible when he touches the heart of one gone astray! I do believe the two key elements were the prayers and the love shown both! Two powerful combinations.. Great encouraging story of restoration! Thanks for sharing this Betty! What a blessings!
ReplyDeleteAm Karen Romano from USA. After being in relationship for seven years,he broke up with me, I did everything possible to bring him back but all was in vain, I wanted him back so much because of the love I have for him, I begged him with everything, I made promises but he refused. I explained my problem to someone online and she suggested that I should rather contact a spell caster that could help me cast a spell to bring him back but I am the type that never believed in spell, I had no choice than to try it, I mailed the Great Matatan Spell, and he told me there was no problem that everything will be okay before three days, that my ex will return to me before three days, he cast the spell and surprisingly in the second day, it was around 4 pm. My ex called me, I was so surprised, I answered the call and all he said was that he was so sorry for everything that happened, that he wanted me to return to him, that he loves me so much. I was so happy and went to him, that was how we started living together happily again. Since then, I have made promise that anybody I know that have a relationship problem, I would be of help to such person by referring him or her to the only real and powerful Great Matatan Spell who helped me with my own problem and who is different from all the fake ones out there. Anybody could need the help of the spell caster, his email ( matatanspell@yahoo.com CALL/WHATS-APP:+233 20 926 0493 )
ReplyDeleteMy ex-boyfriend dumped me 8months ago after I accused him of seeing someone else and insulting him. I want him back in my life but he refuse to have any contact with me .I was so confuse and don’t know what to do, so I reach to the internet for help and I saw a testimony of how a spell caster help them to get their ex back so I contact the spell caster and explain my problem to him and he cast a spell for me and assure me of 2days that my ex will return to me and to my greatest surprise the third day my ex came knocking on my door and beg for forgiveness. I am so happy that my love is back again and not only that, we are about to get married. once again thank you Dr Godday you are truly talented and gifted. Email: Goddayspiritualhome@gmail.com is the only answer. he can be of great help and I will not stop publishing him because he is a wonderful man contact +19194956404 - WHATSAPP ONLY
ReplyDeleteA big thanks to Dr Oselumen i never believe that there still exist a real death spell caster after all this years of disappointment from the enormous spammers on the Internet who go about scamming people, until i was opportune to meet Dr Oselumen a real spell caster, through a close friend called Jennifer who Dr oselumen had helped before, when i contacted him with his email via droselumen@gmail.com i explain how my ex have been giving me problem in my marriage, she never allowed me a moment of peace, and i need to end it by killing her, and i don't want to make use of assassin because it will be risky so i needed to do it in a spiritual way that's why i decided to contact him, he assured me not to worry as i have contacted the right person at the right time, i co-operated with him and in less than a week my ex was dead, she slept and never woke up all thanks to Dr Oselumen indeed he's really a humble man. you can contact dr oselumen for any death spell, such as to kill your superior in the office and take his or her place, death spell to kill your father and inherit his wealth ,death spell to kill anyone who have scammed you in the past ,spell for increase in salaries, spell for promotion at the office, spell to get your ex lover back, if things is not working well in your life then you need to contact him now via Email droselumen@gmail.com call or add him on whatsapp +2348054265852.
ReplyDeleteHello everyone here
ReplyDeletei want to say a big thank you to DR NOBLE for helping me get back my ex husband after 6 months of breakup. It was like a dream come true when my husband came back asking for a second chance after leaving me and the kids for 6 months without communication. Thank you Dr NOBLE I will forever be grateful. You can contact Dr NOBLE for any spell including spells to heal any sickness and diseases via NOBLESPELLHOME @ gmail. com Or WhatsApp him +234 8129950262