Letter from a Wife

Dear fellow woman of God,

When I was little, I dreamed about getting married. I even “practiced” being a wife and mom as we played “house” as a young girl. But at some point, after the wedding, the reality of life set in—laundry, bills, kids, and all the mundane, often thankless, chores of daily life took over. The life and husband I always pictured having somehow ended up a bit different than I anticipated. Maybe that’s the same for you; maybe you pictured your life a certain way, but it didn’t turn out how you expected. I think that, if we are honest, this feeling of disappointment sometimes breeds a sense of doubt and a longing for something different or better. This is a slippery slope, but if you find yourself here, please know there is hope!

You are LOVED. Take a deep breath and repeat, “I am loved.” You may not feel it all the time from the people around you, but you can (and should) find rest in the everlasting love of the Father. His love is immeasurably more than we can imagine; it is fuller, richer, and can be more tangible than even the best love from a husband, child, friend, or family member. Are you experiencing the Lord’s love in that way? 

Psalm 100:5 says, “For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.”

We sometimes forget the goodness of the Lord amidst the strife and struggle to go, do, and be everything to everybody. What if you stopped right now and took five minutes to rest? Not the lay down and take a nap rest but the sit still and think kind of rest. Rest in the knowledge of God’s love for you, His child, and allow it to overwhelm your heart. Do you remember what it was like to climb up in the lap of your dad or mom? Resting in God is like cuddling up in the arms of the Father. A “God hug,” if you will. Some days, a “God hug” is just the thing my soul needs to boost me back into my day of loving and serving those around me. It allows me to see meaning in what otherwise appears to be mundane. Life with a husband and four girls is not always conducive to these moments, and there are many days when I truly feel like I don’t have even five minutes to spare; however, when I make time to reflect on God’s goodness and faithfulness to me, I am better equipped to love those around me. In those times, I am intentionally listening to the Lord: to what He says about my worth, to what He says about how deeply He loves me, and to what He says about the blessings He’s placed in my life. In turn, He gives me relational insight into my husband and family. More of Him leads to more of me for more of them for the glory of Him. He is the source, and His glory is the result. 

I spent many years looking to my husband and kids to fill a need for love that only God can fill. When I let it sink into my core that God uniquely created me, He knows exactly what I need when I need it. He knows my thoughts and how I receive love; when I need rest, it allows me to let it all go. I can sit in quiet trust of the Almighty God who loves me. This is my hope for you: that you can know the Father’s love without a shadow of a doubt, that you’ll experience how standing firm and receiving the Lord’s love gets you off that slippery slope, and that His loving kindness and faithfulness will help you find purpose in every moment and mundane task.  

With His Love, Brenna

Questions for Thought

1. How have you experienced the love of the Father?
2. Where can you take five minutes to rest in the Lord?

Daily Challenge

Take out your phone or other scheduling device. Make yourself a five-minute appointment and keep it. Simply sit and contemplate God’s love for you. Maybe find a verse like the one above to think upon for those five minutes. Let it sink into your soul. Repeat every day for a week. At the end of the week, reflect on what you have learned and write it down.