With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about what messages of love we will convey to each other this year. This time last year, as most of us were making new years resolutions, I was walking through grief and loss of my late husband, and very broken. I remember crying out to God. The year ahead didn’t look very promising or prosperous. As I reflect back to that day, I recall having a supernatural encounter that changed the entire trajectory of my life. God, the healer of my heart stepped into my story….
January 1, 2022 I hit my knees in surrender. And as the Holy Spirit prompted me, I made a list of my hopes and dreams and committed them to the Lord. Over the next several months, day-to-day widowhood became increasingly challenging. I believed though, that Jeremiah 29:11 was for me, so when God said in His word, ‘For I know the plans I have for you, and they are good.’ I believed. And with that promise, I began praying and contending daily over my list. Although I had no thoughts of remarrying, I repeated God’s word back to Him regarding my future. Genesis 2:18 reads that it’s not good for man to be alone. And Proverbs 18:22 promises ‘He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor.’ My number one requirement – my future husband must love the lord more than he loves me. None of it made any sense, but God knew what He was doing. Little did we know – just as God had been preparing Ken Garverick, my modern-day Valentine, for me – I was being prepared for him. Ken and I became widowed around the same time and God had a plan. He showed up and started rewriting our story, for His Glory! We were united in marriage in December of 2022, and as we are being prepared to be sent out together in ministry, our mission is to share our testimony of God’s sovereignty and faithfulness. We serve a God of more. And He is blessing Ken and I more than we could ever ask, think or imagine!
The word of God says in Hebrews 10:24-25 that we are to spur one another on in love. Always one of my favorite scriptures to study this time of year, and yet I have never witnessed this scripture come to life as much as I have the last eleven months. There were many days Ken and I knew our faith was being tested, all the while God was restoring our hope and we began to look forward to love again. Psalm 73:26 says: ‘God truly is the strength of our heart and our portion forever.’ I am so thankful for each of you, our listeners, and for a God who is so faithful to do what He says He will do. With God’s help, our message of love for 2023 will be that of Faith, Hope, and Love. Valentine’s Day may look a little different for some this year, but be encouraged. God is there. I can tell you with confidence that no one will ever love you more than God. And as we pray and seek God for His direction for His Radio Ministry, we are reminded there truly is no way to fully know what lies ahead in 2023. According to scripture though, we know that whatever we face in the days and months ahead, God is already there. My prayer is that as you are being encouraged by what you hear on New Vision FM, you will spur another on in love. And as you seek God through Christian radio, your hope is restored and your faith is renewed. But more than these, I pray that you encounter love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 – ‘And now these three remain; faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love.’