Lately God’s impressed upon me one important aspect of His M.O. (“mode of operation”—yes, I know … I watch too many crime shows and know the lingo all too well!)

God is busy at work in our lives, but very often He is busy in the …

Unseen, spiritual realm.

Remembering this has encouraged me, since I don’t always see things happening as fast as I’d like!

Most importantly, it’s changed my focus from the “temporary to the eternal.”

Recently a friend and I began a marriage prayer group with women who are struggling in some way in their marriages. As I pray, I’m hoping to “see” the fruits of the prayers I lift up for these women, but until God decides to reveal His work …

I will wait and trust that He is indeed very busy in their lives and marriages.

How about you? Do you feel discouraged in your marriage or some other area of your life? Do you wonder if God is at work or has forgotten about you?

Then consider this analogy that many of you ladies can relate to …

Envision, for a moment, when you were pregnant.

Do you remember the feeling of having your baby kick you in the ribs or bounce on your full bladder? Sometimes you could tell what body part was actually punching you—even though you could not fully see it. Sometimes it was the outline of a tiny elbow and sometimes it definitely seemed like a foot. Oh, and what about the times your little unborn baby had the hiccups. Remember that?

All of these were signs that your baby was growing, active and alive within you … even though you could not “see” the baby with your eyes before your baby’s birth. Sure, most of us got to see a hazy, black and white image through the technology of a sonogram, but it’s just not the same thing as seeing your baby face-to-face.

Many of you MM readers feel “in the dark” regarding your marriage, just like the mother who impatiently awaits her baby’s birth. But unlike the mother who knows she has a baby within her, you may question if God is really up to something good in your marriage at all.

Let me assure you that if you’re actively seeking Him and surrendering your marriage to Him, then He is at work!

He is dealing with your spouse’s heart. He is bringing the right people across his or her path. And He is opening your eyes to the ways you can be a better spouse.

All of these changes can be “felt” at times but not always “seen.” And the best way to catch a glimpse of them is not through some “spiritual sonogram” but through prayer, Bible meditation/study, and the objective eyes of friends who are praying along with you and observing the changes God is making.

Consider enlisting a friend or two to pray with you about your marriage. Then begin to look for how God is working—trusting Him when it is still yet unseen.

Also, let me know if there’s a way I can help you, answer a question, or simply pray for something specific in your marriage as well. It would be my privilege and honor!

One more thing – here are some encouraging verses for you to meditate on, as you wait on God’s unseen work to be revealed.

Linking up with NOBH, Imperfect Prose, and New Life Steward