Kristi and Co.
September 20, 2009 by Kristi
Filed under Meet the Families
Name: Kristi
Marital Status: divorced
Children: Kylie, Sara, Hannah, John, Bethany, Amanda, Mercy, and Caleb.
Favourite Scripture Verses:
“[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him – that I may progressively become more deeply acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly. and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection, and that I may share His sufferings as to be continually transformed in spirit into His likeness…” Philippians 3:10 (Amplified)
“May Christ through your faith actually dwell – settle down, abide, and make His permanent home in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love…That you may really come to know – practically, through experience for yourselves, the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge without experience; that you may be filled (through all your being) unto all the fullness of God….and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself…” Ephesians 3:17, 19 (Amplified)
My Story
I met my husband a little over twenty years ago. When I met him, I knew there would never be another man for me. We were married a little less than four months later. We found out I was pregnant on our first anniversary. For the next fifteen years, we were blessed with a child every 15 -21 months. We moved shortly before the birth of our eighth child. Our son was born with some respiratory issues that kept our sleep to a minimum at nights. My husband had started a new business after we moved. As job pressures, medical bills, personal issues and a death in the family added to the already high stress load, pressure began to build. Instead of trusting in God, I began to complain and put more pressure on my husband, leaning heavily on him for financial, emotional & spiritual support. It was too much for him and he began to break under the load. Then I found out I was pregnant again.
My husband ‘knew’ divorce wasn’t the answer, but he needed to do something to try and get out from under the tremendous pressure he was feeling. A few weeks later I miscarried, or so we thought. But several weeks after that I started having severe pain and bleeding and became very ill. I went to see my doctor who did a sonogram. It was a tubal pregnancy that had ruptured three to four days earlier. They did not know if I would live through the day. They rushed me across the street to the hospital. I did live. My husband moved out the day after I came home.
A couple of months later, I was out running when God told me my husband was going to serve me with divorce papers that morning. I was not to argue with him or fight him on this. I was to show him unconditional love and respect, give him more than he asked for, and bless him. I was to take God as my Husband and trust Him to meet my every need while my husband was gone. He told me that He would heal and restore our marriage, and when my husband returned home, it would be better than anything I could think or imagine. There would be days I felt forsaken and feel that God had left me….it would not be true. He would NEVER leave or forsake me.
Well, I ‘knew’ my husband would never file for divorce, but told ‘God’ that IF this was Him, and IF what He was saying was true, I needed a HUGE ‘fleece’….as this sounded totally crazy and different than anything I had ever heard! Two hours later, my husband called and asked me to meet him at the sheriff’s’s department to serve me with divorce papers. I did….and God met me there in an incredible way. He filled me with a joy, and I was able to sign the papers not only without tears, but with overflowing joy inside. My fleece was ‘fulfilled’ above and beyond what I asked for. A little over six months later the judge signed the divorce decree.
The first year, my husband sent support regularly, and paid all of our bills. Then he lost his business…and the income decreased. So did support. He went through a time of unemployment and temporary jobs. Through this, God taught me that He alone is my provider…and He could meet every need. My husband is currently employed. The salary is less than before, and he is taking night classes to be eligible for a higher paid position. Due to high living costs where he works, he has significantly cut our support and is encouraging me to get a job and put the children in school. Our house is in foreclosure and has been for over a year….yet God has protected us each month and we still have a roof over our heads.
Over the years, God has provided for us in an amazing and miraculous way. I am grateful our children have been able to see His hand in such a real way. He has been SO faithful. Had I known this journey would go on for over four years, I don’t think I would have made it. But looking back, I can be grateful for this valley and the things God has taught me through it. My God IS all I will ever need….my only hope and desire.
I do NOT like being a single mom, and I really don’t like to see my children hurting and growing up without their dad….but I do know that I would do it all again in a second for what I have learned, and the intimacy and relationship I have found with my Savior and Lover of my soul these past years. He does all things well. I will serve and praise Him all my days. Whom have I in heaven but You? And I have no delight or desire on earth besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the Rock and firm Strength of my heart and my Portion forever….It is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God and made Him my refuge, that I may tell of all His works. (Psalm 73:25-26,28)
One of my current favorite Scriptures (they change with my circumstances Ü):
“But now, thus says the Lord, He Who created you, and He Who formed you..:Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine. When you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame consume you, For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;…..you are precious in my sight and honored…and I love you…Fear not, for I am with you.” Isaiah 43:1-5
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Kristi,
I will be praying for your children and you. I too am a single homeschooling mom. I have 5 children and thought my husband would never divorce me. But yes God is faithful and will meet you right where you are and cover everything. He has blessed my children and I abundantly and I know He is bigger then all of this. I pray you and your children will continue to seek His face and that you will be encouraged everyday that you are doing an awesome job for your children!
Christi
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Oh dear Kristi,
My heart was touched with your story and the beautiful way Jesus has made Himself real to you through everything. What an encouragement you are. I will definitely be adding you and your precious family to my list of people to bring before my Lord.
Most sincerely and with His love,
Karilee
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Kristi Reply:
February 15th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Thank you, Karilee! I don’t know how I would make it one day without the prayer support of those God has called alongside us. I hope we can ‘touch’ and get to know each other better. Thank you for the note!
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Kristi,
Praise the Lord that I found this site today. I am praying for you to have faith that our Father, God Almighty can do all He has promised you the day you received your divorce papers. I know this because He restored my marriage (my husband was gone for 5 yrs. 2 months and 7 days) God has completely changed my man’s heart. He freed him from the addiction of smoking and has tempered his temper. We go to Bible Study together, discuss our prayers and desires…something that never happened before. He is a loving daddy now, and enjoys seeing our children grow and develop. In July 2010, we are expecting our first grandchild!
Do not give up hope Kristi! Every person I knew, family and friends, told me to forget about my husband and move on with my life and the lives of our four children…..Thanks be to God that He helped me to hold onto Him, He was my husband and cover till my earthly husband returned.
Thankful & Blessed to be,
Mrs. Michelle McDaniel
[Reply]
Kristi Reply:
November 28th, 2009 at 12:02 am
Thank you, Michelle. Another message sent just when I needed it most! I am grateful for your testimony. I can’t tell you how much it means to me.
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Hi Mrs. Davis,
I just wanted to let you know that you and your family are in my prayers! The Lord is ever faithful and knows every need you have. He doesn’t let those who trust in Him down. Ever! I know that it must be emotionally, physically and spiritually hard raising eight children as a single parent. But those who trust in Him are never alone. He never leaves us or forsakes us. I encourage you to keep leaning on Him, following His will and believing in His generous provision. He is a God who answers our “kneemail”! Praying for your endurance, strength, provision, patience, marriage restoration and joy. May the Lord Jesus bestow all those and more upon you, your husband and your children. Many blessings in His name! Please stay encouraged!
“Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.”-Mark 9:23
“Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
-James 1:3-4
“I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry.”
-Psalm 40:1
“For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.”
-Psalm 107:9
“For the needy shall not always be forgotten; the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever.”-Psalm 9:18
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”-Romans 8:28
“Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith…Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”-Matthew 6:30,34
“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night.”-Psalm 92:1-2
With love,
Narobi
[Reply]
Kristi Reply:
November 25th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
THANK YOU, Narobi….you don’t know how much that means to me….especially today! I covet your prayers…and your words of encouragement are exactly what I needed this evening!
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I am praying for you!! I also am a single homeschooling mother. God has been so gracious and kind to us over the years. I pray that you will come to know Him more intimately than ever before. Because it is through HIM that all things are possible! I’m proud of you for taking on the challenge of staying home and continuing to homeschool your children. I look forward to hearing testimonies of His goodness and grace in your lives!
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hello! i am praying for you daily – God has brought you to mind constantly- and i hope to get to know you better thru gleaning the harvest
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As you know, I am happy to have you here Kristi! I am praying for you and know that Yehovah will continue to bless you in all things as he is your Lord!
(((HUGS)))
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I’m praying with you and believing that God will provide all your needs. Wasn’t it sweet of God to give you advanced warning so that you would know all of this is within His control? Sometimes everything feels so out of control and wrong, but we know that He is always in control.
I understand what you mean about your children being able to see God’s hand in such a real way. That has happened for us, too. And I’m thankful, too, even though it was really hard sometimes.
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Kristi Davis Reply:
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:27 am
Thanks, Penney. He is good. I am feeling very loved right now, and grateful…and a bit overwhelmed.
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Hi Kristi,
Welcome to the group. Just wanted you to know that my girls and I are lifting you and your babies up before the Lord. That He will Bless you and continue to keep you in the Palm of His Hand.
Love and Prayers to you and yours,
Mrs. Lirette & Girls
[Reply]
Kristi Davis Reply:
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:30 am
Thank you. I am feeling ‘lifted up’ this week…and grateful to be part of this special group. Hope to get to know you more in the days ahead.
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I’m with you on the “If I’d have known how long it would last I wouldn’t have made it” camp;0!
Welcome.
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Kristi Davis Reply:
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:32 am
Thank you. I guess He knows what He is doing when He tells us to keep focused on the present day….to live one day at a time.
But still working on it!
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