The Prodigal Husband - written by a friend of mine in hopes that one of you may be encouraged by this....

“In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives,” 1 Peter 3:1

This verse from 1 Peter 3 was written for the Christian woman who is married to an unbeliever. So, this verse was written for me. I thought that I was marrying a believer, but as the years have passed it has become exceedingly clear that that is not the case; my husband is not saved. And let me tell you, that this is the hardest place for a Christian woman to be in because the One I want to talk about the most I really can’t talk about at all. It’s like giving birth to your first child, but not being able to announce it to anyone, and having to act like he or she doesn’t even exist. It’s really, really hard, but I’m quiet. And instead of talking about things that have eternal value, we talk about the weather and sports. So, there’s a lot of silence in the house since the weather really doesn’t change all that much and I really only like football. Many tears have been shed, but not for me as much as for him. I so want to have a husband that desires to pray and attend church and read the Bible, but most of all I want my husband to be saved, and to know the Lord like I do so that his joy may be made full.

In the meantime, I pray, persevere and wait, and if you’re in the same situation I urge you to do the same. Never underestimate the power of prayer. We see Jesus praying to the Father constantly, and scripture instructs us to “pray without ceasing” 1 Thess 5:17, and assures us that “He hears us” 1 John 5:14-15.

And while you’re praying, continue to persevere and move forward, don’t look back. The enemy wants us to look back and remember how much easier things used to be, but Scripture tells us to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17) so that you can keep moving forward, fully focusing on the prize, which is Christ. Notice all the Christian’s armor is worn on the front so that we can deflect Satan’s arrows; none is worn on the back, which is a perfect indication that Satan wants us to be still and look back. Let us not give in to that temptation.

Finally, wait. Wait on the Lord to answer as he prunes you and grows you in sanctification. Pastor Tim Conway said it perfectly when he said, “The Gardener is never closer to the vine than when he is pruning.” Just like a gardener plants a vine just where he wants it and must be close to it when he prunes it, God has you right where he wants you and is right there while he prunes you.