Socially Speaking: When the world hands us lemons, God blesses us with divine grace and favor

By Frances Boyd/HSU Alumna

When was the last time you experienced laughter? Did you feel the God given freedom and liberty to just be yourself?

Have you ever felt like wherever you turn in life, you encounter jealousy, rejection, exclusion, invasion, disrespect and intentionally misjudged.

By Frances Boyd/
HSU Alumna

Imagine awakening to a beautiful sunset and a down-to-earth husband who possesses a sense of humor! A life partner who is caring, selfless, protective, respectful and whose beliefs align with God and ours. If you pray and wait for a Godsend mate, when you least expect, you might encounter the right soulmate with this awesome personality. If it was meant to be, the relationship will revisit.

I met an awesome man who had all these qualities, a wonderful and respectful personality. It happened unexpectedly, and it was so unbelievable. It was a different kind of feeling. We dated and were getting to know each other. I put God first in my life and was a single mother very dedicated to my children.

The reason I missed out on this “could have been the right soulmate” moment? I felt like I could never experience happiness with anyone else. The cruelty I went through after I divorced my children’s father made me not want to put another man in my problems. My ex-husband repeatedly was harassing, stalking, trespassing, and lying. He kept taking me to court instead of getting along. A friend of mine advised me to exchange our children through the Taylor County Parent Exchange program.

I am a “Survivor of Domestic Violence” since my early marriage. The last physical incident happened in front of our children. I called him to let him know my sister invited me to go to Chili’s with her, and if it was OK. Getting permission and came back at 10 p.m. I was locked out of my front door, and dragged by hair into the patio door on the carpet. Alcohol was my first ex-husband’s addiction.

This was not the first emotional and physical abusive incident with him. I could not put myself, nor our children through this anymore.

We stay for the wrong reasons sometimes. Love is not enough.

I called Noah Project, and then the police, but did not press charges. It had happened several times during a long marriage, that was not meant to be. We have four beautiful children together. My fourth child is my miracle son and does not belong to him.

I hope to be an advocate for other young women who need to know. You matter to God. We deserve the Godsend soulmate that was meant for us.

How many times have you felt like you missed the mark? After all the prayers for professional job that matches our credentials and the college degree, you receive the rejection call. “The position has been filled.” I stayed in my hometown of Abilene, after I completed my undergraduate degree at Hardin-Simmons University.

What about the years of happiness when you make the decision to say “yes” to stay in your hometown, instead or move? Many parents would not hear of it. Prosperity is “where the money is,” especially if the BBS is Communication. My oldest, Jessica begged me to stay to be with her friends.

My children’s happiness has always been my happiness.

“Giving into your feelings is like drowning in the shallows.
Oh, you got to keep believing,
Even in the middle of the unknown,
Because grace will be there when you come
To the end of your rope, and you let go.
It may feel like you’re going down now
But the story is not done yet
Hold on, there will be joy in the morning
If it is not good, then he’s not done.
No, he’s not done with it yet.

— Joy in the Morning, Elevation Worship

Do not stop praying, because God is in control and always on his throne. He is the only one that says when our story ends. Outsiders who intrude in other’s lives should stay in their own lane and family. “You are like the roaring lion, and not privileged to invade other families and destroy what does not belong to you.”

For my readers, try to learn how to be still and surrender to God your life, and let him guide you during Christian journey after you accept Jesus Christ.

It is wise to set boundaries and allow only certain loving people in our life big step. When we surrender our will more to the will of God.

As believers in Christ, we learn to “yolk” with the same ones that align with our Christian beliefs. Our God qualifications are much greater than worldly opinions. We are all made in his image.