STRENGTH TO ENDURE LIFE'S TRANSITIONS

BY SHEMECA RICHARD

I stood in the doorway watching the white moving truck drive away He was gone Just like that, he walked out the marriage and away from our family I was heartbroken and frustrated

I was left with shame, debt, and a five-year-old daughter I sobbed uncontrollably “Why is this happening to me?” I did everything I could to make the marriage work

Sobbing had become part of my daily routine for several months I would wake up and go to bed crying I would just cry, cry, and cry God whispered to me during one of my sob sessions, “Trust me, I will never leave you nor forsake you ” I started to meditate on this verse day and night.

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

(Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV)

I continued to be consumed with fear, shame, and worry I wondered how I would be able to pay all the bills I wondered what others would think about me being a divorced, single mother I feared the impact that it would have on my daughter I felt like a failure I was tired and exhausted I know that God said he would never leave me or forsake me, but it was very hard to believe on most days

A few months later, I was fired from my job The stress of it all had become so much for me to bear. There were days when I did not have enough money for food. The bills were continually a month behind.

By the grace of God, nothing in our home was ever disconnected Not even the luxuries such as cable and internet God had truly been there for me through it all God did not make it all go away, but He did not leave me This was a turning point for my faith This was where I had to truly search my heart and owned the truth about my trust and faith in God I read my Bible often I attended and served in the church weekly But did I really trust God? This is where I started to really focus on my relationship with God

I started to make more intentional devotional time with God It was during this intentional devotional time that I truly started to understand what it means to trust God I finally understood what it meant to lay all by cares, worries, anxieties, and burdens at his feet

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NIV)

It was still tough getting through that transition. There were days that I wanted to and did give up. But Jesus redeemed me. He continued to be there for me and lavish His love on me. I continued to do the same. I poured my heart out to Him in prayer, praise, and worship I spent quality time with Him each day

That was 12 years ago Currently, I am still a single mother My daughter is a thriving high school senior She has already been accepted into the college of her choice and offered scholarships I continue to face challenges and hardships as we all do, but I face them boldly knowing that my God will come through I continue to pour my love out on God through prayer, praise, and worship I face each of life’s transition a bit differently now I have the grace of God in me and all over me. He will never leave me or forsake me. With God on my side, I can and will win every time. The victory may not come the way I think or imagine it should, but it will come. My sister, God is with you Trust his plan He will never leave you or forsake you