"Open Your I's" Part 2 of the Love and Marriage Series #Valentine's

In honor of Valentine's Day, my husband, Stephen and I are sharing this blog space for the week. The topic is on Love, Marriage, and Romance. Although these posts are written mainly with married couples in mind, I think that even if you are single you'll get a lot out of this series.








Part 2 of "Open Your I's"

Be open to Instill hope

by Shelley Hendrix

I was sitting on the couch as I waited for him to get home from work that day. I had just turned 30 years old and as a wife of a great guy, a mom raising three healthy children and a volunteer in my home church, I was at a place of great contentment and satisfaction in my life.  Things were going well—for the most part. I was still grieving the loss of another unborn child, but because of the grace of God and what He was doing in and for me, I began to find greater peace and acceptance of that loss. So life wasn’t perfect, of course, but life was pretty good. I had no idea God was about to interrupt everything like He did.

As Stephen walked up the stairs from the garage in the basement and into the main part of the house on that spring evening, I was still mentally rehearsing what I was about to tell him—or not tell him. I wasn’t sure yet. But because he is the safest person on earth for me, I heard myself saying these words, “I have something to tell you that I think God is saying to me.” He sat down on the love seat across from where I was sitting on the couch. I said, “I think God is calling me to full-time ministry. I think He is revealing to me that He wants me to begin teaching women, not only at our home church, but in other places as well.” That really was all I was aware of back then. (I had NO idea how much more the calling would involve, and I’m thinking now that that was a smart move on my Heavenly Father’s part! )

As soon as I got these words out of my mouth-and nervously at that—Stephen said, “He’s been telling me the same thing.” *My jaw dropped*

photo by Amelia Grace Photography

“What?”

“Yes. In my quiet times with Him He has been speaking to me; that as you’ve supported me all these years, it’s my turn to do the same for you.” *tears*

A lot…and I mean A LOT has happened since that conversation in 2004. I couldn’t have imagined a Church 4 Chicks ministry, much less that I would be leading it. I couldn’t imagine that God would allow me to have a platform and a microphone to share what He teaches me in our times alone together. I definitely didn’t imagine myself hosting a television show in one of the most powerful cities in the world. But do you know one of the main ingredients that has made all of this possible? The Hope instilled in me by the belief my husband has in me. No one is a bigger supporter or greater fan of Shelley Hendrix, than the one who gave her his name.

When I was single again after having been married for 6 and a half years, I prayed this prayer a lot: “Father, don’t let me get married again unless that means that a man can be more with me by his side than he could be without me there.” But the thought never occurred to me that he would bring someone alongside of me who would instill so much hope and courage and strength in me to become all that God designed and destined me to become.

As spouses, we get to be a significant voice to another human being. It’s a huge responsibility and a great honor. Think about a way that you can instill hope, or courage, or strength into the life of your spouse—or even a friend or child—who needs to hear you say that you believe in them. Why not go ahead and communicate that to them as soon as possible?