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February 13, 2003 - "When Love Knocks"
Welcome to 2TheHeart!
IS YOUR MARRIAGE A COVENANT OR A CONTRACT?
A CONTRACT IS AN AGREEMENT MADE IN DISTRUST.
A COVENANT IS AN AGREEMENT MADE IN TRUST.
A CONTRACT IS CONDITIONAL IN NATURE.
A COVENANT IS UNCONDITIONAL IN NATURE.
A CONTRACT FOCUSES ON THE GROWTH OF SELF.
A COVENANT FOCUSES ON THE GIVING OF SELF.
A CONTRACT ASKS, WHAT AM I GETTING FROM THIS MARRIAGE?
A COVENANT ASKS, WHAT AM I BRINGING TO THIS MARRIAGE?
A CONTRACT IS ENFORCED BY A COURT
A COVENANT IS ENFORCED BY CHARACTER.
A CONTRACT IS CONVENIENCE-BASED.
A COVENANT IS COMMITMENT-BASED.
A CONTRACT IS A HAVE-TO COMMITMENT.
A COVENANT IS A WANT-TO COMMITMENT.
A CONTRACT IS FOR A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME.
A COVENANT IS FOREVER.
IN CONTRACT NOBODY LEAVES UNTIL THE TERMS ARE MET.
IN COVENANT NOBODY LEAVES PERIOD!
~From "Little Lists to Live By" Multnomah Publishing
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Boy, did the Lord want these two people to be together! He did everything but call down from the Heavens and yell at them to get married! Tomorrow is this sweet couple's anniversary, so be sure to send them warm wishes!
"When Love Knocks"
by Annettee Budzban
"Not One of these will fail; not one of these will lack her mate, for my mouth has commanded it, and His Spirit has gathered them." Isaiah 34:16 (NIV)
My marriage failed after fifteen years. I had been divorced for nine. I was feeling the effects of loneliness. I was ready for a change. I was in a relationship that I had hoped would work out, but my partner lacked wanting to commit. Now, I was plagued with an illness. I was discouraged, grieved, and stricken with fear. I took a good look at my life. My spirit sensed it was time to move on. I decided to dismiss my current relationship, regardless of the strong soul ties.
My best friend was pushing me to answer the ads in the paper for dating. She assured me I could find an available Christian man there.
I knew in my spirit that wasn't for me. I spoke up quite boldly against her suggestion stating "If God has someone in mind for me, He will bring him to my door." I sensed these words to be true.
After a few months, my words came to fruition. I received a knock at my door. It was my old church drama partner, Jeff. He had moved to Colorado and was back for a visit. He stopped by briefly to say hi. During the course of our conversation he revealed to me, that his wife of 18 years had recently divorced him. He said it had been a devastating year. He left that day without further ado. I was still morning the loss of my old relationship. I regarded this visit as nothing more than a friendly, hello.
It is funny how God works. Nine years ago, just after my divorce, I started attending a local church to fulfill the need for a support system. A year later, I had an encounter with God.
One Sunday before church, I visioned a phone receiver in my mind, not once - but twice. I didn't realize that it was a vision, however, until later that morning in church, when I discovered God speaking to me regarding these phone receivers.
As I sat listening to the drama director speak, he caught my attention when he spoke the words, "Sometimes God phones us to do something."
"What a strange use of words..." I thought. "God phones us."
Pondering this, I remembered the images of the phone receivers earlier that morning. With this in mind I said, "No God, not me. I have NO interest in drama." I quickly put this message out of my mind.
Upon returning home, I received a phone call from a church acquaintance, Lisa. She was asking me to join drama with her. "It will be fun!" Were her enticing words.
Reluctantly, I told her I would consider it. Then, I remembered the two phone receivers. With great reservation, I said to myself, "I guess I will be joining drama." And I did.
The big night arrived for my first drama practice. My best friend said "Maybe God will have a husband for you there!" Later, I assured her, the few men in our group, were all married. There was no one waiting there for me. I had dismissed even the most remote possibility of meeting a husband there.
During my time in drama I had wonderful partners. One was a man named Jeff. God kept putting us together in skits. We were a bum and bag lady, a husband and wife, Samson and Delilah. We were nothing more that casual drama partners; little did we know, that God had something more up his sleeve. A few years later, our group was just a memory.
One Sunday night, I went to the altar and surrendered my will completely to Christ. I had known Him many years as my Savior, but I would now pursue Him as my Lord. I knelt at the altar. My heart ached as streams of tears ran down my cheeks. I cried, "Lord I am willing to give up anything for you. Help me to know you better." I did not realize how powerful that prayer would be . . .
Within a year, I saw my son receive a supernatural healing from a near fatal accident. Now, I was about to see God's next big move.
That knock on my door, brought Jeff back to Illinois for frequent visits. We started dating. The rest was divine intervention . . .
We decided to be married. I felt exuberant, as I watched all of our plans fall into place. I saw the hand of God preparing the way for our new life.
As Jeff made plans to move back from Colorado, he was provided with a place to live, rent free. He was hired for a job the same day he applied! God provided a buyer for my house, before I was ready to place it up for sale. We found a wonderful apartment and received the blessing of the first month, rent free! Then, God provided me with the most beautiful wedding dress at a discount price. Yet, another surprise to behold, when our wedding cake was paid for by the bakery, as a gift!
Our grand finale, was a breathtaking candlelight wedding on Valentine's night. It was a dream come true.
Jeff and I frequently talk about those drama days and how God was in heaven all that time saying, "If you two only knew, what I have in mind for you." I don't know what tomorrow holds. But it is a comfort to know "The One" who holds tomorrow. My advice to you is, "Listen to your heart."
Jesus said in Revelations 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." In other words, answer the door . . . "When Love Knocks."
Annettee Budzban copyright 2003
Annettee Budzban lives in Wildwood, IL. She writes a weekly religion column for her local paper. She has been published on e-zines and in magazines. A few of her other 2theheart stories are "Send me a Friend," "An Angel Came," and "The Homecoming Queen" and you can see her profile on the Writer of the Month page! www.2theheart.com/heartwriters
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WRITING WORKSHOPS:
We will be having a 4 week Mini-Workshop on Creative Writing, with a strong focus on learning to write more creatively, with fun exercies and assignments, beginning Monday, March 3rd! To register for either of these workshops, click here: www.2theheart.com/WritingWorkshops
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The Letter Box:
Dear Bobby,
Your story was wonderful and if Susan ever puts together a 2TheHeart book, I think this one should definitely be in it! Love, Geena
Dear 2theheart,
I recently subscribed to your site and want you to know what a difference it is making in my life. I live alone and sometimes I feel lonely, so every evening I open my email and read my 2theheart. It has become to feel like a very good friend. You have wonderful writers and the members seem so warm and loving. Thank you for this service. I also have spent time visiting your web site and reading the art and poetry pages - they are incredible!!! What a haven in my world. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! God bless you, Maggie Pfeiffer, FL
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