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Hello friends, Ann here!
I have been on quite the fast-moving journey the last two months, and I might share a little of that today, so here goes:
I have recently gone back into the world of work and study. As I mentioned in a previous post, I am retraining as a coaching psychologist; and I am now also doing some freelance coaching.
It is lovely!
BUT, it is quite a shift from ministry. When you’re in ministry, you can be soaked in God for hours a day, working directly on the things of him. Conversely, when you work in the marketplace, you’re dealing with different subject matter altogether.
When you’re in ministry you have to guard your heart all the time, from all sorts of things. You really do. But in business, it’s the same! There’s a different set of temptations that you have to get used to. Isn’t it funny how life is so tricky. Anyway, it’s got me thinking ….
The key, I think, is to be sure God wants you where you are. If that’s the case, you can move forward well — Whether you’re in ministry, or in the marketplace.
Then, second, you have to hold onto words or principles that God has given you for that situation. Wherever we are, if we listen for his voice, he will give us a handle to hold onto and keep our footing secure.
In my case, God did give me a handle that I could hold onto in this current season. He said to me once, Ann, you are a woman of God, not a professional woman. And that word alone helps me keep my focus.
That word has helped me, over the last few months, not to put too much of my identity into these studies or this work; or, even, too much of my time. I could become a workaholic very easily. I don’t let myself. It’s 12pm here, in fact, as I sit and write this SUM post, and I have not done any work yet today. Instead I’ve spent time with God, and now am writing this. That’s ok: Put the things of God first, and all else will follow. Seek first the kingdom of heaven; everything else will fall into place.
Because of that word, that I am not a professional woman, but a woman of God, I have had to think carefully about why God might want me doing these new pursuits. I am confident he does want me to, but is it, for example, to be a form of service to others? I have to align my heart with his. Already I have had times where that alignment has slipped, and I have to realign myself.
I say to God, ‘You are the treasure that I found in a field all those years ago, and you always will be.’
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.’ (Matthew 13:44, NIV)
And so, my friends, that’s been my little journey of the last couple of months. We always have things we’re navigating. They’re fun to write about. And, I imagine quite a few of you are in business or a career in some way or other. I wonder how you find it to balance that with your identity in Christ?
Perhaps we can chat about this one in the comments? I’d love to hear a little of your stories and experiences.
Much love
Ann
The post When God puts you in the Marketplace appeared first on Spiritually Unequal Marriage.
AUTHOR: Tess Reeves.
Have you ever been super excited to gift a bestie with a birthday surprise that you knew without a doubt would knock her off her feet? Did you have an image of what would her facial expression be when you handed it over?
The joy on her face would be priceless. You literally could NOT wait to celebrate with her, because you’d hit the jackpot of all gifts!
James 1:17 (NIV) “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Finally, the day arrived. I ordered her favorite cake from her favorite baker. She lived far, but the baker was willing to drive 45 minutes to deliver this much anticipated item. It was a homemade gluten free carrot cake. I mentally patted myself on the back as I remembered my bestie’s dietary restriction.
A group of us ladies started with dinner out and then games at a friend’s house. Then came the finale’ CAKE! I was beaming with pride. She was not. I had ordered the wrong type of cake. It was a spice and not carrot cake that she favored. I hung my head and sighed. There were mumbles and grumbles about the fruit and nuts in the cake, how heavy it was, and on and on. At the end of the evening, the obligatory “thanks for the cake” was offered. My heart sank along with my bank account. Ah well….I tried to shake it off and not make a show of disappointment and hurt. After all, I am a mature adult, right?
I had forgotten about that incident until the Lord brought it up to me one morning in my quiet time. I had been mumbling and grumbling about my husband. “If he would only be less selfish with his time and read his Bible, things would be better for us. Lord, change him.”
And then, my patient and loving Father whispered. Remember how your heart sank when your friend complained about the gift you thought would be perfect for her? Keith is not a cake, but he is a gift I gave to you.
Ouch!
It was the first time I had ever clearly viewed my husband as a gift from the Lord. As the giver of good gifts, I was surely breaking His heart in how I was receiving that gift.
It’s so easy to be thankful for all the things WE view as good gifts in OUR eyes. How much more are we graciously receiving literally everything the Lord gives to us in the way of health, nature, friendships, and yes, even our spouses. Jesus is our perfect gift. Through the guidance of my Him alone, I am learning that He really does give good gifts. This gift of an imperfect husband is teaching the imperfect me how to give and receive love exactly like God, my perfect Father.
1 Timothy 4:4 ESV “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving…”
AUTHOR: Tess Reeves. I’ve loved Our Creator for decades and never grow weary of hearing from Him. I was entrusted with Keith, my husband of 28 yrs. As if that wasn’t enough, he helped me to raise two magnificent daughters (Jessica, 25 and Jalyn, 22). I love our nondenominational church in Gainesville, VA and can be found regularly volunteering with our Outreach ministry. Nursing and Caregiving encourages my heart and keeps me connected with precious others.
The post WHAT TO DO WITH A GIFT appeared first on Spiritually Unequal Marriage.
At the start of every year, I offer training seminars to the financial donors that occurs on Giving Tuesday in December. If you missed your opportunity to support this ministry you can still give and register for this seminar. Link is at the bottom. The LIVE broadcast is Tuesday, January 28th at 11 am Pacific. There is a recorded link provided following. Hugs, Lynn
Seminar Two: Praying for Protection
The demonic assaults coming against true believers in the past two years has been at a level I’ve never seen before. Health, finances, divorces, children problems, legal problems, straight up real witchcraft and more. How do we truly put up barriers of protection around us, our homes, families, finances and more. How do we defeat the devil and then KEEP him away?
We will delve into erecting effective barriers in the spirit to surround our home. We will learn prayers to protect our children and discover how to protect our souls. This seminar is filled with practical tools that you can begin to use immediately. We will also cover how to stand firm when in the fires.
Donation Teaching Seminar with Lynn Donovan
$25.00
Pay now
The post Praying For Protection Seminar appeared first on Spiritually Unequal Marriage.
Joy Davies, New Jersey
Bio: I am a 46-year-old wife, mother, and writer raising a blended family with my husband of three years. Together, we parent my thirteen-year-old daughter and his three children, ages eleven, fourteen, and sixteen. I recently completed writing my first manuscript, a raw and reflective memoir that documents my journey through childhood trauma, addiction, abuse, and a painful custody battle, and how God met me in those storms with healing, surrender, and salvation through Christ. I enjoy cooking, reading, and volunteering, and I feel called to deepen my involvement in my church and to eventually create a safe, faith-based support group for women who have experienced trauma and abuse.
The Smallest Seeds
I met my husband during a season when I was not walking with the Lord. It wasn’t until I was deep in a custody battle—exhausted, broken, and falling apart on my kitchen floor one night that God met me there. In that moment, I surrendered my life to Him. Since then, everything has changed. My circumstances didn’t suddenly become easy, but He changed my heart.
I was led to an incredible church, surrounded by a loving church family. He placed friends in my life —women who mentor me, pray for me, and point me back to truth when I feel weary. Most importantly, God transformed me during seasons of uncertainty, grief, and relentless strife. Where fear once ruled, faith began to take root.
My husband does not walk with the Lord. He also struggles with alcoholism and carries deep, unresolved trauma from his previous marriage—wounds that often spill into ours. Our blended family is messy, and most days feel like a battle. But the peace the Lord gives me sustains me. It allows me to face each day knowing I am never alone. When I feel overwhelmed, I know I can run to Him, and He is always near.
For over a year, I prayed over my husband every night. He believed I had lost my mind—finding faith, going to church, and becoming someone he didn’t recognize. He often told me how much I had changed. He was right—I had. But standing firm in my faith came at a cost. At times, it felt like it created distance in our marriage. Still, I remained rooted, trusting God even when it hurt.
On Christmas Eve, when we didn’t have our children, I asked my husband if he would come to church with me so I wouldn’t have to go alone. To my complete surprise, he hesitantly agreed. He was simply appeasing me, but he was going—and I was grateful.
What he didn’t know was that many members of my church knew our story and had been faithfully praying for him. When we arrived, he was warmly welcomed by my friends and their husbands. One man, in particular, shared that he had been praying for him. My pastor came over, greeted him warmly, and placed a gentle hand on his head and back, expressing how happy he was that he was there.
At first, I thought, This is it. My introverted husband will never come back. But as he quietly sat through the service, I released those thoughts and surrendered the moment to God. Afterward, I asked him what he thought. To my amazement, he said he had never felt so welcomed and that he experienced a peace he couldn’t explain. He told me he finally understood why I go to church, why I have my faith—and even said he would consider coming again.
But God.
Never would I have expected that outcome. Yet God does what we believe is impossible. He is the God of the possible.
I know a seed was planted that night. Since then, there has still been significant struggle in our marriage—especially surrounding his drinking. I’ve feared the worst, tried to control outcomes, and even threatened to leave if he didn’t get help. But God has been teaching me something deeper.
Psalm 46:10 has long been my anchor verse: “Be still.” I’ve lived by those words for over a year, especially in my marriage. But only recently did the second half of the verse fully settle in my heart: “Know that I am God.”
To me, this means: Stop attempting to control every outcome. Stop letting fear and anxiety dictate your response. Allow God to be God.
Anxiety leads nowhere. The enemy uses fear, control, and doubt to seek and destroy. But God intends good for His children. Our husbands are His children too. Instead of seeing my marriage as a catastrophe, I was led to this: What if God placed me in my husband’s life to help lead him toward salvation?
God has a purposeful plan for each of us. In the midst of strife, our calling is to lean closer to Him and trust Him to do the work only He can do.
This is not an easy path. But I’ve witnessed small, undeniable seeds being planted. My husband agreed to attend couples therapy, and the therapist I found specializes in addiction. He has finally admitted he has a problem. These are seeds—and I choose to receive each one with deep gratitude to the Most High.
In John 13:7, Jesus says, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Let that truth resonate deeply. God has a plan for each of us, even when we cannot yet see it. Keep Him close. Trust Him to plant seeds. And believe that His work is unfolding—whether or not we recognize it yet.
The post The Smallest Seeds appeared first on Spiritually Unequal Marriage.
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