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1 Peter 5: 6-14
By Mary Dennis

Last year, I experienced a series of losses that put me into a tailspin. Within months, my marriage of 22 years ended in divorce, I had to sell and move out of our family home and my youngest child went off to college.

The grief was almost more than I could bear. Even though I was often surrounded by people, I felt extremely isolated and alone.

Anxiety about my future paralyzed me. Unfortunately, this all happened at a time when I was forced to make many important decisions. I wondered how will I make it on my own? Where will I live? What more will I have to give up? What will it be like to live alone after all those years of marriage and child rearing?

At first, I tried to keep a stiff upper lip and do it all by myself. Not surprisingly, I was overwhelmed in no time. Before long, I realized this total life makeover was way bigger than me.

The only way I would survive it was to turn it over to God in prayer. As soon as I did, the pieces started falling into place - financial security, a place to live, and a personal resilience that surprised even me.

I learned a lot about myself and about God these last 12 months. With Christ, I am whole and satisfied. I don?t need another person to complete me. Even so, I discovered that I needed other people?s support.

First, I confided in trusted friends, then I joined a divorce support group and another more general support group. Most importantly, I learned that when I am powerless, I can rely on God?s strength and wisdom. In other words, I experienced first hand that with God, all things are possible.

Over the last year I lived 1 Peter 5:6-11. Divorce is nothing if not a humbling experience. I have had to publicly accept the fact that my marriage failed. Yet, I learned that a failed marriage doesn?t make me a failure. In time, I turned my anxieties over to God and trusted God to take them away.

I?ll admit that I was tempted to take advantage of the situation by being greedy. I can attest that divorce does bring out the worst in us. Yet, in the end, I just couldn?t do it. I had to hold onto my faith because, at times, it was all I had left. I trusted God to raise me up and to restore my life. For only God, in Christ, has the power to do that.

In summary, I give God the credit for restoring my faith and life. I came through the fire hopeful and refined. I have adjusted to my new life and take comfort in Christ?s provision and gbwc_superuserance. Now I am better able to minister to others experiencing loss. I facilitate a divorce support group and am part of the leadership team for Stephen Ministry and Celebrate Recovery.

God has begun a new work in me that fills me with purpose, excitement and hope. I thank God for walking with me through this difficult and challenging time.

Rev. Mary Dennis serves as the pastor of caring and mission at Glen Mar UMC in Ellicott City. If you are separated or newly divorced, she recommends reading 'Single, Sassy and Satisfied' by Michelle McKinney Hammond.

A DEVOTIONAL
for the Discipleship Adventure

Celebrate and Connect: At your dinner table or with a small group of friends read this passage and invite those who have gathered to give God ('cast off') at least one worry or anxiety by sharing it at the table. As each worry is given to God, respond by singing' Thank You, Jesus, Amen' (#2081 in The Faith We Sing). When all of the worries have been given over to God, sing together 'Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow.'

Develop: Using a Bible dictionary, commentary or encyclopedia, read about the background of this letter. Who wrote it? What is the context? Using that information as foundation, write a note to your church leaders based on today?s passage. What does it mean to you, and to your church, that 'with God all things are possible?'

Serve: In her essay, Mary Dennis reveals that in her pain, her ability to rely on God deepened and she now ministers to others going through similar situations. What experiences in your life might you look at from a new perspective and use to bolster the faith of others?