Gods Hand of Protection

The last words my husband spoke to me on

September 24, 2013 were these. . . . . 

"I am a liar and I can never be trusted!"

This was his response when I tearfully

asked him why he had lied about an 

insurance payment.  He has been caught in

yet another lie.  He never came home that

night . . . or ever again.  This was the 3rd 

time in the last 3 years that he had been

caught in a financial lie.  Each time before,

he would pack up and leave me for a few

days until he assumed everything would blow

over and then he would return home to let

me know his intent to make everything right.

He would be diligent in bill paying, clean up

his bookkeeping, and make it all up to me . . .

even if it took the rest of his life.  He would return

with a card in hand,with a handwritten note inside,

telling me how much he loved me and that he 

would clean up everything.  He would say that he

was just a sloppy bookkeeper.  I would then try

to assist him in getting organized by filing, straightening

and helping him any way I could.  

This last time was different.  I spent the next day

traveling from bank to bank, utility companies,

insurance companies, and creditors  to find out 

taxes had not been paid, bills had not been 

paid, utilities were about to be shut off, accountants

had not been paid for years, and money had been

drained from all our checking and savings accounts.

Not only was the money gone, my car as well as

my daughter's car had liens against them totally

more than they were worth.  My daughter's

home had liens against it that she had no 

knowledge of.  Basically, our financial state 

was in ruin.  The bank register book was a

lie, none of the information that I so diligently

kept was accurate.  Withdrawals were never logged

in.  Basically, we were broke.  Documents with my

signature had been forged and notarized without my

knowledge.  Money had been taken from my mother's

account without my knowledge, with my signature

forged.  

The next month was spent cleaning up the financial

mess I had been dealt.  Every day brought new bills.

I wondered if I would ever clean up the mess.  This

was an area I had trusted my husband to handle

for the entire marriage. I now knew I had made

the biggest mistake of my life.  

Not only was I facing a financial crisis, but I 

realized the man I had trusted for so many years,

could not be trusted.  I now learned that I was to

face this alone . . . and that I could not trust

him again.  I was not on my own.  

But, in the days ahead, my faith in God became

stronger and stronger until he literally picked me

up and carried my for what seemed like months.

I vaguely remember those months.  Everything is

a blur looking back now, but I remember every

day filled with tears, disappointment and questions.

How could someone do this to their family?

Not only was I facing this trial, but my two 

expecting daughters were devastated as well.  We

spent most days holding each other and crying.  We

bonded during this time and found a love that can

never be broken.  You see, when you face a crisis 

with someone . . . there is a connection . . . we

all became one in our pain.  We shared tears and

fears and knew we would get through it  . . . only

with God and each other.  God became so real 

to our family during this time . . . His love and 

protection poured out on us like I can't explain.

We trusted Him in all things, knowing He would

not leave or forsake us.  We did remind each other

of this over and over again . . . we all knew the

truth and we were clinging to this promise.  

We have all grown in Christ through this trial.  We

are changed and I can honestly say we are better

because of what has happened to us.  We all know

that family is what matters most.  Money means

nothing to us.  Belongings have been replaced 

with special times together.  Possessions are

meaningless.  

I can honestly say these things because I have

now pretty much sold everything I own.  My 

house and all the belongings.  I want a fresh 

start . . . not with things . . . but with people.  

I want relationships to be first in my life.  I

want to show love to those in my life that 

mean the most to me.  I want God's love to be

evident in my life.  I have realized that true

happiness comes from a relationship with

Christ and putting Him first.  

I am so thankful for this trial and being used

of God to share with others how blessed we 

truly are.  I am so exited about the future and

the many blessings God is giving to our family.  

I also want to thank all the friends who have been

so diligent in praying for our family.  We have

felt God's hand on us and know your prayers

have been such a comfort to us.  We love you.