All us have stories that are waiting to be told. Each story, or slice of our life, offers a glimpse of how we have been shaped, what matters to us, and why it matters.

It was winter when I experienced the loss of my marriage. At the time, it felt like the end of the world. What surprised me about this was that God didn’t rescue me in the way that I’d expected. He didn’t bring my husband back like I thought He should. I was bereft, left with three young children. I was so humiliated that my husband had left me; it took four months to tell my parents and friends.

One summer afternoon, a friend came to visit. She listened to my story of grief. Then she encouraged me to return to school for my Masters in nursing so I could teach and possibly have a similar schedule to my children’s. She also offered me a job so that I could earn some money until I finished school. I began to see myself differently.Two years later I finished my degree and began to teach at the local community college. To my surprise, I loved my work. I found it fulfilling and the students inspiring. I realize that if my husband hadn’t left me, I never would’ve returned to school and landed in a dream career. Others need to know that God not only hears our prayers, He answers them, although not always in the ways we expect him too. Even when we feel alone, God is very present with us.