The Desert Storm

By Melody Leigh McGregor

A desert storm is often called a dry thunderstorm, a force of nature with enough potential to destroy lives, similar to a divorce. Divorce embodies a myriad of catastrophic events that create anxiety, which if not handled with care can multiply and grow into feelings of depression. That is, until the storm calms. Divorce is an experience that can promote anger, bitterness, and resentment, which is contrary to God's expectation for our lives. It can leave you helpless and deeply wounded. With all of life's circumstances, there are causes and effect; however, justifying the situation of divorce can be overpowering as one nurses the wound that has been created. A heart full of love and one that still wants to love now sees and experiences life differently. With dreams and expectations shattered, milestones are now catalogued with a burden of failure and a constant feeling of defeat. Overwhelmed by the weight of the circumstance, one's soul can easily slip into self-pity and forget what is most important in life: redemption. Christ paid an enormous price on the cross for the burdens we bear. Our Messiah bore the cross for us; hence, he has commanded us to pick up our cross on a daily basis. Our cross can offer only failure, defeat, and pain. Christ, the Rock of Ages who knows the end right from the beginning surely knows our situation before it starts. Despite any circumstance, He requires us to love, but most importantly to pick up our cross and follow Him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 7, 2019
• ISBN: 9781644163054

Book preview

Broken

The four gospels came alive when I took a class in Bible knowledge in high school. Topics such as Jesus by the Sea of Galilee and Jesus walked on water are a few of my favorite discussions in class. My mother introduced my siblings and me to Bible stories when we were young. It was exciting to learn fascinating events that truly occurred, and how they still shape our lives today. I was a dreamer, and often lost in a world of imagination. My heart would race as I fantasize about life and what it has to offer. What my life would turn out to be as a young woman was a constant sensation. These excitements would leave my heart racing most of the time with intrigues that cannot be expressed.

Although God’s existence was not new to me, nevertheless, I lacked a connection that left me wanting. I knew God to be sovereign, but my faith was not sound in Him until I accepted the Lord into my heart. It was great to finally know the Lord and to experience the peace and joy that salvation could only offer. Attending fellowships with other believers in my high school opened another world of thrill. Singing songs of worship to an unseen God did not raise any doubt in my heart that he existed; rather, it hurled me into an unexplainable joy of seeking Him. The work that was accomplished on the cross outweighed any reason to doubt His sovereignty.

My mother was attentive to all aspects of our home, taking care of the household while working full time as a teacher. My dad, a high achiever, worked diligently as well. My parents believed that life accomplishments would not be served on a platter of gold but will be attained by studying and working hard. My mother encouraged and engaged us in reading and acting scriptural plays. Her due diligence was sometimes intensive especially in keeping her family fed and cared for. Reflecting back to my childhood, I saw a yearning for God in my mother’s eyes. Her eyes would light up as she taught from the Bible, narrating interesting stories to us as we listened with rapt and wonder. We were tossed into a world of imagination with such great captivation through a climax into the conclusion of the story.

God’s great design was etched in my heart as God’s intentions for His creation unfolded before my eyes. The cross was an emblem of strength and courage, and I experienced great joy in everything I brought to His attention. I remember that I often looked toward heaven just to take delight in the tranquility it supplies.

During my teenage years, I unexpectedly lost my mother. Her heart finally gave in to many years of struggle and stress. Sad thoughts overwhelmed me as I realized that mother would not live to enjoy the fruit of her labor. My heart was broken and I felt helpless. This was my first desert storm experience. It was a time of drought and loss of direction. At the time mother lived, I knew she was sad and troubled. It was apparent that her marriage did not provide her what she desired and deserved. The loss of my mother created a huge hole in my heart, an emptiness that could not be filled by anyone.

Most times, I felt alone in the world and wasn’t sure if I would survive the arduous times. Several months after mother’s death, still perplexed about her loss, I would play scenarios in my mind that she would emerge from her room one day to announce she is alive! After several years and reflecting through this delusion, I came to terms with the reality that my mother was truly gone and I needed to let go. Eventually, I knew I had to submit to the only One who could ease my pain. It was tough to surrender the thought, but it was beautiful and peaceful to lay it to rest. I reached a conclusion that there must be a reason why my mother left her children so early. Staying close to the heart of the ever-loving God, the One who knows it and understands it all, would be best to see me through life endeavors.

From my teenage years, I prayed and desired a solid relationship in my future matrimony. Longing for a strong and stable marriage, my heart rejoiced knowing that I could find it in Christ. Indeed I married a Christian, and I held on to my hopes and dreams. Encountering problems and overcoming them is absolutely and scripturally true as two believed together to overcome obstacles. The sweetness of having a common purpose and looking out for one another was just perfect and very rewarding.

Years passed by, and situations began to unveil the flaws of a marriage that had fallen short of the expectation of God’s law. Difficulties mostly stemmed from several years of unresolved marital issues, as well as external interferences that crept in through the cracks. I was young and simple at heart, so loving that I dispersed all hints that problems were lurking. Faced with issues that I had no clue how to resolve, I fulfilled the scope of my responsibilities, overlooked my limits, and picked up the responsibilities of others.

This flaw brought weariness and exhaustion that was unnecessary, and it drained my being. Decisions not well thought of, and steps taken that were not clarified as God’s will overwhelmed our family, and it placed a huge strain on our relationship. Unplanned burdens we acquired became an impediment to seeing clearly. It was overpowering for me to try to rectify when my knees were in too deep. Eventually, when I could not find my way in this storm, I employed the help of some brethren in my community. Couples who had gone through difficult times and have come forth shinning as gold. They were willing to help keep my marriage sailing, and they trusted that we would be willing to submit to the