Written by Becky F.
Recently, I found myself going through past photos for various reasons. Often when I search for one particular photo, I get lost in the hundreds of photos taken over the years. So many wonderful times with so many great people!
Then it hit me.
There used to be a time that looking at past photos was very painful. You see, our family had one of those experiences that marks the passage of time as “before” and “after.” The year was 2010 and everything since has been categorized as “before” and “after.”
With a knock on our front door, our world changed forever. My husband’s unrepentant sin had caught up to him, and this was his “come to Jesus” moment. He was arrested that day. And in the weeks to follow, I would learn just how deep the betrayal had gone…
Before and After
In the past decade, when I would look at photos from “before” the experience, it would stir up all sorts of questions, confusion and pain. “What was really going on at that time?” “How could I not have known?”
As I would look at the photos of our little family of four and see images of what I had thought was there, it also emphasized the change in every relationship we had with those around us. There was not a single relationship that had not been affected by this time marking event.
Because of that, I avoided looking at these photos for years.
Crisis Event
Perhaps you have an event or experience like this in your life? The loss of a loved one, miscarriage, health crisis, financial crisis, relationship betrayal…
We have even experienced collectively as a society such events as 09/11 terrorist attack and the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether as an individual or as a collective, we have all experienced a world-shattering event that rocked us to our core.
As Time Passed
Now, here is where it gets good!! I realized this week that I do not have any of those stirred-up feelings when looking at these photos. They are totally gone! The pain has left, and joy is in its place. Rather than needing to avoid past photos, I can now praise God for them. I can thank Him for every memory, every moment…
What I see now is the work God has done in our family to bring healing and restoration. I honestly forget that “it” even happened. For reals! This huge, life-altering event, the one that consumed my every thought years ago is now but a faint whisper…
Slow Cooker Faith
Only Jesus can do this kind of healing. And it took time…lots of time. It is what I am calling a slow cooker faith in a fast-food world.
Do you need hope for your difficult season? Does it feel like it will never end? Reach out to us! Let’s connect. We are always available to share our story of what Jesus has done—both in our marriage and our personal lives.
“Count it all joy, my brother and sisters, whenever you face trials of various kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish it work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
Check out our previous blog on Oil That Breaks The Yoke
If you are dealing with the trauma of betrayal, our staff and facilitators are here to walk with you through it. Message us today at [email protected] or join a Healing Hope Group.
