— Lysa TerKeurst (@LysaTerKeurst) December 12, 2018
“On an unusually sunny Tuesday in December, we dressed up a bit and whispered healing words, heart felt prayers, and holy vows,” she wrote. “A million prayers. A miracle answer. A marriage restored.”
Last summer, TerKeurst learned of her husband’s infidelity and ongoing battle with alcohol addiction. The announcement was a shock, and one of the most influential women in the Church-world was getting a divorce.
Just three months later the mother of five was diagnosed with breast cancer.
But not all hope was lost. On Father’s day this year, nearly a year after announcing she and Art would be getting a divorce, TerKeurst took to Facebook with a photo celebrating her husband, and confirming that the two were working to restore their marriage.
In an interview last month, TerKeurst told Today Show hosts Jenna Bush Hager and Dylan Dreyer that she and Art have both been doing the “hard work of reconciliation,” this year—something she says means pursuing togetherness daily.
In working on healing their marriage, TerKeurst has found redemption even without complete restoration—something that has been invaluable in the re-building of trust and love with one another.
“There’s a big difference between complete restoration and redemption,” she said. “Redemption can be ours today even before the complete restoration and reconciliation has happened,” something she says her and Art are both pursuing in a spiritual and emotional sense, as well as a relational sense.
A Marriage Restored
It would seem that God has certainly done a work in their marriage and healing their hearts. From just the one photo she posted this week, it most definitely shows.
Knowing her character and her faith, I believe TerKeurst would be the first to say that nothing is perfect. But because of the Lord’s grace and mercy, we can find redemption, restoration, and the freedom to forgive.
“It’s impossible to forgive another person, unless you really understand how deeply you’ve been forgiven. My relationship with God allows me to see I’ve been forgiven of much, therefore I can certainly forgive.”
All the praise for God’s handiwork on this. TerKeurst said it best: “A million prayers. A miracle answer. A marriage restored.”
I’m thankful for bold women of faith like Lysa TerKeurst, and her vulnerability in bearing even her most intimate struggles. It’s a beautiful and inspiring reminder that the Christian life is not one of ease, but our God will fight for us.
What Satan intends for bad, the Lord will always make good.
Congratulations Lysa and Art!
