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Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Psalms For Moms


Psalm 118:13-14, "I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation."

A few weeks ago we had a tense time in our marriage. There were days of not much being said to each other beyond terse, businessy conversation. I hate when things get like that between us but it seemed that neither of us was really into talking about the issues. We both needed time to process and decide how we were going to approach the issues at hand.

Maybe it's just us but folks, Curt and I fight. We are two strong people with strong opinions. We don't fight as much as we used to but every few months an issue will sneak up on us and thrust itself into our midst like a pushy, uninvited guest. And it takes us awhile to escort the guest to the door and lock it behind him.

I read this verse during that time and it really spoke to me. I felt exactly like what the psalmist was describing-- pushed back and about to fall. I have seen so many marriages break up through the years and it never stops breaking my heart when it does. I don't want to be our future. And yet, as the fight stretched out over days, I did feel that "pushed back" feeling. I wondered if we were about to fall. Would this be the fight that finally drove us apart? Would we be pushed back so far that we couldn't find our way back?

And then I read this verse and saw the key. Yes, we get pushed back, yes, we nearly fall. BUT the Lord helps us. What I love about this verse is that it doesn't say we're never going to feel these hopeless feelings, that we're never going near the point of falling. We are. But it's what He will do for us even as we're struggling that we can hang onto. He is our strength, our song, our salvation. He will come through. It might not be as fast as we want. But I believe that rescue will come. Because God doesn't want His people to fall. He is fighting on our behalf.

Because of that I can keep praying, keep seeking, keep trusting. I can claim this verse even before I see the help. I can rest in the knowledge that it is, surely, coming.
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13 comments:

Zibilee said...

I needed to hear this today. We are having some family issues right now, and I am feeling like I am being pushed to the wall right now. I take comfort in the fact that God is right there with me, and I am praying and patiently waiting for the Lord to guide me through. Thanks for the message today, it helps to know I am not alone out here.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your transparency in this post. Sometimes it is encouraging to know that "you are not alone" in various struggles. It's good to see that others have the same struggles and not all is "perfect" in their world. But, most of all, it is great to be pointed back to the Lord in the midst of struggle.

Alichia said...

I appreciate how honest you are in this post allowing your trials to help others. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Thank-you for your honesty in this post. It is so encouraging to read what God has taught you. We all struggle. Thank-you for your insight!

Ann Voskamp @Holy Experience said...

He is our help and salvation and when we are weak, He is strong...

And I love your insights here, Marybeth --- your honesty and humility and heart hard after his.

You are a light shining on a hill and I am warmed right through...

I give thanks for you...

All's grace,
Ann

Jen said...

Thank you for this post today. This is my first visit to your site and the message is exactly what I've been going through this week in my marriage. I've been pushed and pushed and pushed...I am an emotional wreck. But I do know that the Lord is there with me. But to see someone else post and know they too are living it right now, well Thank You.

awcamp said...

I so appreciate you saying that you and Kurt fight. I do think it's normal that two, strong-willed people (like me and my husband) fall into battles at times. It doesn't help that we each have wounds that the other doesn't completely understand or see all the time. Thank you for your encouragement and the way you keep things real. You're the best!

ncourage138 said...

Thank you Marybeth for your transparency. I too have learned that God can work best through our willingness to be open and transparent. People see His heart through ours. Your word was right on in my personal life today.

God Bless,
Starla
Encouragement Enterprises
www.ncourage1.blogspot.com

Marybeth Whalen said...

Thanks guys for letting me know this hit home with you. I am glad to share my life with you-- warts and all. It ain't all pretty, but at least it's all real. :)

Eileen said...

"God is fighting on our behalf" So true. Thanks for this.

Cheri Bunch said...

Thank you so, so much! Timely word, indeed!

Tina F said...

Oh gosh, Marybeth. You are a Dear for admitting that you and your hubby fight and still love each other. Is it really such a thing to be ashamed of? We are human beings. I wonder how many marriages would benefit from knowing that a certain amount of arguing is normal and that's how you deal with it that counts. I once saw an obituary that a woman wrote about her husband of many years. They were elderly. She basically said he lived with, fought with, and loved her passionately. :-) Wish I would have saved that one. That's what I say now about my marriage. LOL.

Marybeth Whalen said...

I love that Tina!! SO great what she put in his obit. I bet she even missed the fighting. That's an apt description of our marriage for sure!!