To Have And To Hold
A Love that could not die
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The One who is left Behind They were the words I had never thought I would ever hear, “I’m having an affair, and I’m enjoying it.” I couldn’t stay in our bed; instead, I spent an uncomfortable and restless night on the sofa, downstairs. My reply had been ”I don’t care how many women you have, I will always love you.” But it had hurt, deeply and my stomach was in knots. How had it come to this? I had thought that our marriage was a happy one? We had been married for 9 years by this time and after the excitement of constantly being on the move whilst Mike was in the army, we had finally settled down. Philip was six and Sarah was now two and a half when Mike left. We had spent two and a half years in our first house, a deceptively large terrace house, before we saw a house for sale, which we believed God had reserved for us. It was an old Victorian Semi-detached house, with a large bay window, in a corner plot. The sale went through very speedily, I only saw the house for the first time at New Year, but we had moved in before the middle of March. I often gave thanks to the Lord for that quick sale, because if it had dragged on, I could have been left in the other house (which was rather dark and dingy). Mike could even have decided to sell the house and share the proceeds, (which weren’t much) leaving me with no option but to live in a Council house. Very soon after this house prices and interest rates shot up and house sales were long drawn out processes for a couple of years. Evidence of God’s perfect timing! Our new house really felt like home to me. I loved it! We had a lovely sunny garden, and it was close to the local shops, so close, in fact, that I used to push the supermarket trolley home, so I never had to carry heavy shopping. Everything had seemed to drop into place. We now had a lovely home, two lovely children, a good church, Mike had a job he enjoyed, and I was happy at home being a Wife and a Mum. Mike was still working long hours, but hey! Colic had only lasted 3 months and now Sarah was a happy 2 year old, and Philip was enjoying school. Yes, it seemed everything in the garden was coming up roses! Even the
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About the Book
A Journey of Faith, Hope and Discovery! If you could meet me today, you would see a bright, confident woman, happy relaxed; content with my situation, looking forward to a future of better things. However, it wasn’t always like that. When my husband left me for another woman, I was devastated! Weren’t we both Christians who didn’t believe in divorce? However, God gave me a promise that He would restore him so whilst I had to get on with life, I also held onto the promise. Mike, having walked away tried to wash his hands of God! Yet he never lost the knowledge that God loved him, even though his life was not honouring Him. Over a period of 18 years God worked in each of our lives like a Master Craftsman, in order to bring two individuals together and make them one. God has a plan and purpose for all our lives and as we get to know Him, so He reveals the plan. We are glad He doesn’t show it to us all at once. We would not be able to cope with the dark threads of life’s tapestry but God weaves them together with gold, silver and brightly coloured threads so that we can look back and rejoice in His beautiful handiwork! God is always faithful to His Word but often we are not willing to wait around to see its fulfilment; but patience and obedience allows the love of Jesus to transform us and our situations. As we surrender to His perfect Will for our lives He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ask or imagine! Eph 3:20 For with man this is impossible but with God ALL things are possible! Matt 19:26
About the Author
Mike: I was born in 1951 into a post war world where large families were normal; I was the eldest of 7 children. There were a number of things or events that made me the person I am. My Army life, 9 years as a regular soldier, my ability as a salesman, my belief that everyone can shine and excel in their chosen field; last but definitely not least, my faith in Jesus Christ. I have worked until the present, mostly in a direct sales environment, selling many of the goods that have given sales a bad reputation, double glazing, financial services, kitchens, and quality upholstery; although I did not agree with some of the tactics used in these occupations which often put me at odds with the Management. Celia: I was born in 1947, the only child of a fairly conservative, middle class family in the South of England. My father was a great influence upon my early life, both as a military man and also as a man of faith and determination, with a good command of the English language. As a result I spent nearly 7 years in the Army as a nurse and embarked on a journey to discover my own faith in Jesus Christ my Lord. My mother gave me a love of gardening, needlecraft, cake making and other creative pursuits. I have enjoyed my role of Mother and Homemaker and now create Wedding cakes with Sugar Craft flower decorations. This book is the result of our experiences and relationships some for good and some not so good, why did we write it? To share our experiences and the answers we discovered along the way.