Unscheduled Appointment
Unscheduled Appointment
We who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. (Rom. 15:1)
It was one of those encounters God clearly initiated. The day was cold and windy as Cathy and her friend set up their book and photo booth at the festival. When one of the displays toppled over, the young woman beside them reached over to help. As she picked up one of Cathy’s books, she introduced herself. Her name was Tonya. She was a young mom with two children.
Through casual conversations during the day, Cathy discovered that Tonya was a new Christian who was struggling in her marriage. Tonya confided, “We’ve separated, but we’re trying to work it out.”
Cathy encouraged Tonya. “It’s important to pursue your relationship with God, stay connected to a church family, and seek Christian counseling. Remember your husband is just a man, and he will fail you. God will not.”
After the festival Cathy and Tonya stayed in touch. She also arranged for Tonya and her husband to attend a marriage retreat where they received a fresh vision for their marriage.
Statistics indicate that the state of marriage in the church is not much different from the state of marriage in the world. Young couples need to see good marriages up close. They also need mentors who are transparent about their own struggles in marriage. They need to see husbands and wives holding on to faith through the tough places, learning to extend grace and rejecting unrealistic expectations. If couples in the church can safely share their struggles and receive encouragement as they are held accountable, they will be more likely to persevere.
Would God have you mentor someone within your sphere of influence? Or do you need to seek a mentor?