Today is the last day of the summer sizzle blog hop. It’s my honor to introduce you to my friend Carmen Brown, who writes at marriedbyhisgrace.com. Carmen’s love for the Lord shines right through her. She’s a godly woman who lives her life with integrity and a passion to love and serve others.
Guest Post by Carmen Brown
If you have read my blog about marriage before, you most likely know I experienced divorce in my past. And not just divorce but a divorced mother that was serving Christ.
It was one of the hardest situations I ever had to endure. Although I was young and naïve to what marriage was really about, my intention was to never divorce. Divorce was not an option for me. I came from a home that my parents were married for years, God was the center of it. I never thought of divorce or separation an option in our home. I believed in marriage restoration.
Even during a short time of strife in their marriage, the greatest thing I saw from their marriage was that they both strived through. As a child, I recognized my parents was hurt and in pain but I also recognized them rising up to stand for marriage restoration.
My earliest memory of my father was listening to him cry out to God for his marriage in the midnight hour as my mother worked the night shift. (This memory is what made me want to fight in my marriage, I never wanted my children to see me not fight for what made us a family).
Marriage restoration and reconciliation have been imprinted into me for years. Giving up is not the option. Even if it is not restored, it should never be because you gave up but only because God orchestrated that it was time.
Although at one point, my parent’s marriage looked hopeless, the greatest part of their testimony is that they never divorced because God never said the word divorce to them. Their greatest goal in their marriage was to always listen to God first.
That is the power of God. If we choose to take his leading in all that we do, we will see the great purpose of all things that we participate in, including marriage.
There are some days, I look at my husband and say, “ God, why him? He’s not affectionate like me, he can be moody, and sometimes I feel like decisions are made more in his favor than OUR favor. Why him?”
These moments of complaining and selfish thoughts steer me away from the purpose of our marriage. I lead myself astray with those thoughts and forget that God ordained us for marriage, not for perfection. He ordained my husband and I to strive together in all things that God requests us to do. He ordained our marriage to minister to others by being example of who Christ is in marriage.
When I start letting those thoughts overwhelm me, I then let go of my calling as a wife and in what I believe in; which is God can restore all things. He can heal the brokenhearted, and He can give wisdom in all things that I lack knowledge in.
Here are 12 posts about marriage restoration I believe will encourage you to fight for your marriage.
1. Valerie Murray at ValerieMurray.com:
2. Rebekah Hallberg at Sharing Redemption’s Stories:
Redemption in Marriage. Is it possible?
3. Lorin at My Story Defined:
Are you living for God’s standard in your marriage?
4. Shannon Guerin at ShannonGuerin.com:
How my marriage survived infidelity.
5. Tiffany H. at Wholesome Housewife
Dear New Mama, Whose marriage is on the rocks.
6. Dani Munoz at Living Free Indeed:
How to show your husband Christlike love.
7. Vickie Munton at Watering Can Blog:
When you feel alone in your marriage.
8. Alisa at Flourishing Today:
5 Prayers and Declarations for your Husband.
9. Beth Kelly at Blogging for Her:
How to save your marriage against all odds.
10. Christa Sterken at ChristaSterken.com
How to love your spouse when you have nothing to give.
11. Sis Allison at GraceSpokenHere.com
How to revitalize your Marriage.
12. Finn Gomez at Valleys of Light:
Why Marriage isn’t about Happiness.
Carmen Brown is the creator of Married by His Grace blog. Through her walk with Christ as a wife and mom of five, she actively writes to women who are desiring to build their home with the word of God. Her passions involve staying connected with her family, drinking an immense amount of coffee daily, and developing content that will help and encourage new Christian Bloggers. You can connect with Carmen on her blog, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Hello there! I'm Valerie, a mom of four and wife of 27 years. My writing inspires others to cultivate courageous faith and find solace in trusting God, especially in moments of fear and uncertainty. Join me on this adventure as we explore the beauty of trusting God when we are afraid. 
