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| Author Janet S. Grunst |
Janet:
In the fall of 1993 my world came crashing down when my husband announced he was leaving me and our two sons. There had been no warning signs. Shock, despair, and anxiety for the future continued in the weeks and months to come. But I also knew that the Lord would see us through all that faced us.
I clung to Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
I would never want to relive all the trauma and health crisis of that decade, but I am so grateful to have experienced how God manifested His presence, power, provision and protection in it.
1. I prayed for wisdom and guidance in how to respond to my husband, my sons and to the circumstances and choices ahead.
~ God gave me an unbelievable composure and the words whenever I needed them. It was all God’s work.
~ God provided a miraculous and unexplainable phone call with the answer.
3. In despair I cried out to God.
~ God provided clergy, and godly friends to counsel, pray for, and support each of us, a family who included us at holidays and other times, friends who sent things and showed up unexpectedly at crucial moments.
4. I asked the Lord for godly men to mentor my sons.
God sent men from the church to take them to sporting and to Promise Keepers events.
5. I prayed for professional help of his choosing for our family
~ God provided a wonderful Christian Counselor and later a Christian lawyer
~ For eight years I never got sick. He kept me alert and saved us from a head-on accident with a large van in a completely unnatural way. Later, a friend I hadn’t seen in years who witnessed it, called to tell me she had seen angels protecting our car.
7. I prayed God would provide a job, if at all possible working in ministry.
~ The Lord provided me with a job at the ministry I’d been serving in as a volunteer for the previous twenty years. I could even continue to attend a CBS class.
8. I asked the Lord to find a purchaser for our home and for an affordable home closer to church and schools.
~ God provided all of that, and eleven to move us on the Friday after Thanksgiving, a day they had off work and should have been spent with their families. Before they left, they gathered and prayed peace for us and blessings on our new home. Two girlfriends provided lunch for them. A stressful, emotional move was transformed to a time of intense humility and gratitude to God and His servants.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:2-3, 12
Bio: Janet worked in banking or ten years and as a freelance writer for two regional publications. After taking a break to raise her children, she worked for an international ministry, Community Bible Study, most recently as the Executive Assistant for the Executive Director. She continues to serve as a leader in her local Community Bible Study class and in her church. She resides in the Historic Triangle of Virginia with her husband and West Highland White Terrier.
Janet Grunst can be found online at:
http://JanetGrunst.com
http://colonialquills.blogspot.com/ https://twitter.com/janetgrunst
CFP: Thanks so much, Janet for visiting with us and sharing your testimony of God's provision! http://JanetGrunst.com
http://colonialquills.blogspot.com/ https://twitter.com/janetgrunst
Giveaway: We're giving away a copy of Janet's debut novel A Heart Set Free from Smitten Historical Romance (a division of Lighthouse of the Carolinas) to one lucky guest. Please leave a comment to enter!
What a lovely testimony and what perseverance through parts of your life that you struggled through and shared with us..much happiness and success. I love the cover of your book and the story looks great.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rory Lynn. I hope you enjoy the story.
DeleteJANET, thank you for sharing this inspirational testimony of such a traumatizing time in your life with our viewers. Something was glaring out to me like a neon sign while I was reading your post. You asked God for what you needed and wanted -- specifically. And He answered each of your needs...specifically. You could have gone off the deep end but instead you chose to trust God. He rewarded your faith. So many times we ask amiss instead of asking God to provide our precise needs. Your testimony truly ministered to me. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new novel. It sounds great and the cover is really pretty, too!
Thanks Diana. At the time I wondered if the Lord answered my prayers in such profound and visible ways because I was so obtuse that I might miss it. In reality, I think it was also to witness to my sons and others around me to grow their faith.
ReplyDeleteIt's not easy being so transparent, but I believe your testimony will help so many others. Thank you for sharing it. It's always encouraging to hear how God provides for us in our most difficult times.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I like to share it, Clarice. To encourage others to observe their circumstances from a different perspective and see how God is working in their lives.
DeleteJanet, this is such a heartbreaking yet inspiring testimony. Our God is so faithful, even when earthly husbands often are not. Praise God for His safekeeping over you and your boys who have grown to become such fine men. Your faith has spurred their trust in Him. Congrats on all that you have accomplished, including "A Heart Set Free!" ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteYou're sweet, Elaine. As you well know, we all face challenges throughout our lives. It's during those periods where we feel so broken and desperately reaching out to God for help that we experience Him so vividly. We shouldn't be surprised, when all through His Word He asks us to lean on, depend and trust in Him.
DeleteI agree, and I'm thankful for your words. It's a time to really learn and grow through the pain. It's nice to be on the other side and look back, isn't it? When I was able to look back, I saw how God used my own circumstances to make me the person I needed to be.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right, Debra. Perspective can be a great lesson. We can't out-give God. In God's economy He bestows on us blessings in ways we could never have imagined.
DeleteThank you for sharing your heart. God truly does give us blessings and miracles. He is always with us, in good times and in bad times. Blessings to you and your family. Hope to see you soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Melissa. Yes, we need to gather again for lunch soon.
DeleteThank you for sharing your story, Janet. God is definitely our great provider...now and always.
ReplyDeleteAMEN, Melanie!
DeleteA testament to the power of prayer and faith.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I agree. "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you." Jeremiah 29:12
DeleteJanet, I experienced a quite similar situation about 31 years ago. My Lord was with me every step of the way, even when I was angry at Him, He persisted in loving me. About 6 years after my husband left, God brought the most wonderful man into my life...fast forward, we'll be celebrating our 25th anniversary on June 20th! God is so good! Thanks so much for sharing your story & a chance to win your debut novel! rw620 AT aol DOT com
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments, Robin. It's amazing how one can be in a "pit" they never want to endure, but experience God in such a profound way that they'd never want to miss. "And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten." Joel 2:25
DeleteYes the power of prayer! And faith, thanks for sharing. I'm divorced also.I love your book.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteI had young children too, so hard.
ReplyDeleteMy boys were almost 12 and just 14. Fortunately, there has been a lot of healing and they have a good relationship with their dad -- another answer to prayer.
DeleteSuch a beautiful testimony of God's faithfulness, Janet. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Kathleen.
DeleteJanet, Your testimony is a beautiful encouragement! Knowing that the Lord provides for his children and answers our prayers in the most miraculous ways is humbling, to say the least. We have experienced a few supernatural moments too (and I mean that in a godly way). Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!
ReplyDeleteDon't enter me in the giveaway. I already won a copy of the book :-)
Thank you, Anne. Those moments when God so obvious about showing up are such an encouragement and true faith builders.
DeleteCongrats on 'A Heart Set Free', Janet!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your inspiring testimony containing true miracles only He could provide!! God has used each of the trials I've been through (including some that were self-inflicted before I yielded control of my life to Him) to teach me lessons, draw me nearer Him, help me realize His love and many blessings to me, make me the person I am today, and enable me to be better equipped to understand and reach out to others in their needs and/or similar circumstances. I'm a victim of divorce also. He's been so faithful to me and I'm so grateful!!
It sounds like you have a powerful witness. If we cooperate, He can use our trials to reach others.
DeleteThanks so much for your honest testimony, Janet. It is wonderful to hear how the Lord provides everything we need!!! Thanks for the giveaway. bettimace at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteThank you,Betti. I think it is in the midst of our trials that we can experience Him the most.
DeleteCongratulations on your book. Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteJoanEC128[at]AOL[dot]com
Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteThank you for sharing this post. You are a strong woman.
ReplyDeleteMarionMPC[at]AOL[dot]com
It's really not about me. It's all about our gracious God.
DeleteYou are an amazing and lovely woman. You have a great strength. Looking forward to reading your book. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteMarilynDKC[at]AOL[dot]com
I hope you enjoy the story,and thank you for stopping by.
DeleteI hope you enjoy the story.
Delete