Take a stroll with me down the streets of Orange, Texas, a small town located on the Louisiana border, where I have resided for the last 25 years. One of the main attractions in Orange is The Lutcher Theater. Though a small town, we here in Orange are very privileged that The Lutcher plays host to big name celebrities throughout the year.
Two blocks down the street from The Lutcher is another theater called Orange Community Players. It is here one will see familiar faces of people in the community, using their God-given talents in the performing arts.
Five miles north of town is The Bush Family Theater. In this theater, God Himself, is the producer. On any day of the year, He is producing some of the highest quality dramas, unlike The Lutcher, or I dare say, Broadway has ever produced.
It is in this small home theater where God casts my husband as the main character in each drama. The role he is playing is a true story and it is all about God relentlessly pursuing him for his eternal salvation. An analytical, strong-willed man, who feels he is self-sufficient and has no need of God, he is totally clueless about what is going on between him and God.
I kid you not, every time I watch another episode, my mind races back to the farm I grew up on in Georgia. Not only did my daddy grow peanuts like all farmers do in Georgia, but he had a large herd of cattle and hogs. Once a month, Daddy would load up about 50 hogs that he had been fattening to take to the market to sell. He’d back his big truck up to the fence and line it up with the “hog shoot.” For all you city girls, a hog shoot is a narrow wooden passage that the hogs walk up to enter the truck from the field.
Now, the old hogs did not “gracefully” walk up the shoot. They had to have a little prodding. Daddy had just the thing to get them going in the direction of the back of his truck – -a hot stick. This was a battery operated device that gave them an electric shot in their rear that guided them up the narrow passage way into the back of the truck. Poor hogs – -they had no choice, but to enter the truck.
I am sure you know where I am going with this. My man has no choice. God’s guiding hands will get him in the back of His truck.
Yes, it is all being played out before my eyes, and I get to have a front row seat, just as Lynn talks about on page 129 in Winning Him Without Words.
I just feel it in my bones that the final episode is about to be produced. When it is, you are invited to Orange to the little theater five miles north of town to the celebration. I will kill the fatted calf that I have been fattening up for this occasion.
Outside The Bush Family Theater, the marquee will read: “My Son Which Was Lost Is Now Found. Admission FREE! Come on in!”
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Let’s pray:
God, I thank you for pursuing each of our husbands, not only for their eternal salvation, but that they grow in grace and in the knowledge of you. Help us to live our lives before them as 1 Peter 3 calls us to, and not interfere with what you are doing in their lives. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen
Your assignment:
Have you seen God in some way pursuing your husband? If so, how? The big question is: “Did you stay quiet and not interfere in what He was doing?
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About Martha Bush
thank you, martha, for the invitation…i will joyfully attend! what a comfort we have in knowing that God's pursuit of a man (or a woman) has always and only the most perfect motivation—His unconditional love!
one of the ways that i have noticed God's pursuit of my robert is through Christian music. and, no, sadly, i do NOT always 'stay quiet and not interfere.' less and less, but not always. <3
You are so right, Coleen – -His pursuit is out of unconditional love. BTW – -I am not always quiet either.
I love this, Martha! Being the daughter of a man who owned theatres, I so appreciate your method of delivery! LOL Tickets to the final show… priceless! Be sure to save a souvenir!
Thanks Shandy. Get your suitcase packed to come to Orange! What a celebration it will be.
God has been pursuing My husband in so many ways. I knew God had him unemployed and still for a reason. So He could communicate with Kyle and he know beyond any doubt it was God doing all the talking. All the miracles and ultimately granting him a job. Praising God today for this.
Kim, it is so beautiful how God pursues – -His ways are so much higher than ours, the wife.
Love the marquee <3 As of yet I have not seen God's pursuit of my husband. But I know He is in unrelenting pursuit whether I see it or not. Perhaps one day soon I will catch a glimpse
Sometimes I thinkthere is more going on behind the scenes than we realize. But, I know it does get a little frustrting at times not knowing exactly what is going on.
All in God's timing hon….. 😉
I haven't mentioned today, but Christie found the marquee picture after I wrote it; thanks Christi; I love it. Now, let me see how many team members finished up my blog for me??? And yes, it is about the timing; I know it is going to be a special event and God's name will be glorified.
I have seen God work in my husband's life in so many ways since starting this study. When I have noticed I have always done everything I can to stay out of God's way.
That's the way to do it, Mandi. Stay out of God's ways because they are so much higher than ours. I am so thankful you having been seeing God move in your husband's life.
Martha,
I want to be there that day!!!! Praying for you and your man and that this grand drama astonishes thousands in it's conclusion and that many give honor and praise to our Lord because of your husband and mostly because of your faithful love and hope. Hugging you today AND so thankful for you, Christi and all the women at GCH. BIG hugs, Lynn
It was you, Lynn, who got me excited about being on the front row seat, instead of the back row. Get your suitcase packed for the celebration, and yes, I really feel like it is going to be my husband's testimony about the pursuit. Love you.
This is well written! Our lives are a series of acts which we are not in control of.
I have seen God pursue my husband in such loving ways that I know can only be Him. When he doesn't respond I just want to beat him over the head. But through this study I can hear the Holy Spirit saying my way not yours.
Yes, God in your time not mine he will be yours.
Anne, we all have to learn that lesson about it being the Holy Spirit, and not us. He makes everything beautiful in His time.
Martha,
I loved your story! I love you, too!
Kesha, I thought you might like the story coming from a Georgia back ground. That farm taught me a lot of things I can apply to our spiritual lives, even hogs. Love you.