The God Who Redeems

(Part 9 of my story)

Several months ago I was invited to go on a retreat with a group of Christian singles, and I wrestled if I should go or not because of the financial cost, but in my heart, I knew it was no mistake that the retreat was on St. Simon’s Island....a place of great pain and trauma that took place over 6 years prior.

I could see God's hand of redemption inviting me to go back…something I wasn’t afraid of doing, but the idea of being there with a group of people that I didn’t know was definitely a bit scary. I didn’t know who I’d be rooming with, how my body was going to respond being back there, or what kind of emotions would be stirred up as I went back and remembered all that had happened. 

Over the last 2 years, the Lord has had me on a very intentional redemption journey from my destructive marriage 10 years ago, and as I prayed about going, He confirmed in several ways that I was to go on the trip and to trust him for all those scary unknown details…so I moved forward and signed up. 

A few days later, I met my roommate on FB and we clicked pretty quickly over the next few weeks, so my fears about that had subsided. 

As I was packing and praying about what to take on the trip, the Lord showed me a particular top that he wanted to redeem. As I looked at it, I kept having an impression of waves of the ocean washing over it, but didn’t know the details of exactly how that would happen, especially in a big group. …but God knew! 

Several friends back in GA were covering me in prayer during the whole trip, and I knew the Lord was going with me each step of the way and that He had beautiful treasures waiting for me in exchange for the painful memories and trauma. He had also given me the word, “My steps are ordered by the Lord”, which stuck with me each day. 

In the midst of the 5 day retreat, which was full of activities and adventures, the Lord ended up carving out multiple times when he swept me away- just me and Him - to go to certain spots and locations on the island to bring beauty from the ashes…and it was stunning! 

One week ago today was one of those moments…he had led me to go alone to the walkway by the pier and down to the water where I knew I was to take the top and “baptize it” (and myself)….cleansing and washing away any residue of the trauma and coming up to new life. 

As I did each prophetic act that He showed me to do each day, it was amazing and so healing!! Although I’m not able to share more of the details of my story right now, I wanted to post a few of the pics of the beautiful moments of redemption, healing, and joy as an encouragement to others! 

We all have pain and losses in life, and God‘s timing of redemption and restoration doesn’t always come quickly… sometimes it takes years. But, his timing is always right on time, and he is a perfect leader who never forgets his promises. 

He sees and knows every loss, every pain, and every trauma, and he already has the fullness of redemption in mind. …And so we wait, we worship, and we trust him to lead us perfectly and to bring beauty from ashes in every detail of our lives.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Heb. 10:23

“…to bestow on them a crown of beauty

instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” Isa. 61:3