April’s “Share Your Story” 
is by Becky Boerner
And I, Beth, am also excited to announce that Becky is our Newest MM Team member! Can I get a Woot, Woot?!!

Do you recognize this face?

He was “the man” in the 80’s—Bon Jovi!

I remember listening to all of Bon Jovi’s songs with my very first boyfriend (who BTW just happens to be my husband now). 

I recently went to a Bon Jovi concert and as soon as “OUR” song began, I started to think about how my marriage has really lived out “Livin’ on a Prayer.”

Here’s how I was “livin’ on a prayer” for the last 25 years of my life/marriage …

My husband, Chris and I began dating at the young age of 15 and 17. We were madly in love with each other.

My prayer:  
“Thank you God for giving me a boyfriend. I do hope he is the one because I REALLY want to be married with a family one day. That would satisfy me!”

Chris left for the military and I was still in high school. The long distance thing wasn’t going to work.

My prayer:  
“Lord, I’ll never be able to live without him! Please give me the true love story. I love him so much! He completes me!”

Life went on. Chris and I dated other people. He even married someone for a VERY short time. We remained in periodic contact, but we’d both moved on.

No prayer:  
Unfortunately, I wasn’t focused on Christ at this time. I thought I didn’t need Him!

After being apart for a time, we both moved back to the same area. I inadvertently met Chris’ sister, which led to Chris and I reconnecting and the love bug striking again!

My Prayer:  
Prayer life still wasn’t strong, but I do remember thinking, Wow, God this has to be meant to be. Why else would you have brought him back in my life?

We were married in October 1996. We quickly learned that this whole marriage thing was not easy.

My Prayer:  
“God I love him. Why do we have to be going through these problems? Marriage was supposed to solve my problems!”

I got pregnant and then miscarried—DEVASTATION!  This time I got mad at God.

My Thought:  
“All I ever wanted in life was a family and you just took mine away from me. I don’t need You or the church.”

God continued to stir in my soul. I eventually looked for a church to get involved in.

My Prayer:    
“Lord, forgive me for walking away. I want my life to focus on your will. I still want a family, but Lord I trust what you have in store for my life.”

We were blessed with a beautiful baby boy! Thought he would help our marriage. Wow, was I wrong!  Many hardships began at this time in our life. We began to grow apart.

My prayer:  
“Lord I don’t understand why he’s being so selfish. Thank you for giving us a new child. I have my dream—a family! Please help Chris change. If only he’d just realize that You are the answer. Help him!”

We had lots of arguments. Our priorities were so different. We kept our distance but still tried to have a marriage that worked.

My prayer:  
“Lord, help me understand what you mean by submitting to my husband. But Lord he really needs to change so that our life can be better!”

I tried turning to God for my decisions at this point. I went back to school because God laid on my heart the importance of respecting my husband and that’s what Chris wanted me to do.

My prayer:  
“Lord, forgive me for not being respectful to Chris. Change me and help me see Chris as You see him.”

I’ve experienced healing through counseling. God’s given me a sense of direction—stepping out of a lot of commitments I was involved in to focus on my family. I’m involved in a prayer group just for my marriage. I believe God loves me unconditionally and has a plan for me but I need to trust Him—walking in faith!

My prayer:  
“Lord, I ask You, “CHANGE ME!” Help me trust You by being silent—not nagging—so that Chris will hear Your voice instead of mine. It’s You who gets to work the miracle, NOT ME!”

My marriage is far from perfect, but God’s in the middle of a good work and I plan to keep “livin’ on a prayer!”

Will you join me?

What “marriage prayers” have you seen God answer over the years?

Becky and her hubby, Chris

“For I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper, not to harm you; plans to give you hope for a future!” –Jeremiah 29:11

“When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression you will not be burned up – the flames will not consume you.” –Isaiah 43:2

Bon Jovi photo by ejmc

Linking up with – NOBH, Monday’s Musings, Matrimonial Monday, Playdates with God and Marriage Monday’s