God's Plan is Perfect

Without God

In Ephesians 2:12 we read some of the saddest words describing people who did not know God: “You lived in this world without God and without hope.”

 

I know what it means to live apart from God and be without hope. Even though I attended a church, I did not really know God. You will see what I mean as I explain my background.

 

At 22 years old. I met my ex-husband in church, we sang in the choir. I was attracted by his charm. He was 5 years older than me, so I thought he would be the perfect one. We married because I conceived a child before the wedding. My marriage was based on lust and not God. This can happen when people do not know God.

Our marriage did not meet up with my dreams. It was not as easy as I thought. We often had misunderstandings, because of our immaturity and selfishness. We said and did things out of selfishness and pride. Because of my pride, I decided to end the marriage. 

 

Without Hope
At 30 years old, I was divorced with one son. It was very devastating, and I started carrying the burden of being a single mom. I had to take care of my son, my aging parents, and my eldest brother because I lived with them. So I had to work hard to fulfill their needs. 

There were times when I felt so stuck with my life. I felt unfulfilled, and I wanted to stop trying. I had no hope and wanted to give up. At times, I felt like I didn’t want to live anymore, but I was too afraid to die. 

There was much confusion in my life. Though my son and I did serve God in a church, our relationship was bad. I put many expectations on him, and hurt our relationship.

By the time I was 42 years old, I started to feel like I didn’t want to do anything in my life. I felt everything was useless.

 

Turning to God

I started to think about life. Where was my life headed? So, I began to pray to God to lead me to a church or to people who would help me grow spiritually, to help me become a better person and mother to my son. I wanted to be like the woman described in 1Timothy 5:5: “…placing her hope in God. She prays night and day, asking God for his help.”

God is good, he answered my prayers. One of my colleagues invited me to church and I started to study the Bible in hopes of changing my life. While I was studying the Bible in 2006, I brought my parents to church. I asked disciples to study Bible with them. In 2007, my parents were baptized - before me! 

After 2 years of studying the Bible, I decided to become a disciple! My journey of light and hope was started from that moment. I was being helped on how to become a good mom for my son. I started to reconcile my relationship with my son. Finally, I realized and accepted that I was the one who must repent.

Support from the Family of God
After I was baptized, I participated in a group called “Precious Women’s Ministry.” This was launched in the Jakarta Church. I met mature singles in that ministry. I was so happy.

 

God gave me a vision, to have single moms join this ministry. I knew, as a single mom, that life was very hard to do alone. Single mothers need guidance and support in their lives. If as a single mom, I had not become a disciple, I know I would have remarried soon after my divorce, and my happiness would be placed in a man and not God.

 

I believe that if it is God’s will for myself and other singles to remarry, God will give us the right person. If it is not, we believe, our purpose in life is not about getting married and having a spouse, but how we can use our life to glorify Him, make meaning in life and spread the good news of the Kingdom! 

I have a stronger faith and have grown in my relationship with God. God has been working miracles. Many more single moms have become disciples of Jesus. God is helping us to grow in our parenting and in our personal life.  

Most of the single moms were lonely, and looking for rest in life. They were overwhelmed with heartaches and bitterness. They did not know how to be diligent and train their children. I wanted to help them to overcome those issues and win over their children’s hearts to God. 

Based on my experiences with God, I believe God loves widows and those who are divorced. God wants them to know Him, to be saved and bring them into His Kingdom.

I learned that God has a heart for widows and women who are alone in this world from verses like Luke 7:13. Jesus saw a widowed woman whose only son died and was being buried, he had compassion on her, stopped the funeral and raised her son.

• “When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry." Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!"

 

Also, Psalm 147:3 tells us that God specifically cares for those who are hurting and broken hearted.

• “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

In Jakarta and all over Indonesia, single moms have become a part of the “Precious Women Fellowship”. We have the courage to open up about our identity because we know we are precious in God’s eyes! 

With faith in God and support from God’s family, single women and moms will become successful women and parents, in their homes, work place and in the kingdom of God. Psalm 28:7 characterizes our life: “The Lord strengthens and protects me; I trust in him with all my heart. I am rescued and my heart is full of joy; I will sing to him in gratitude.”

The Fruit of Life with God

The sweetest victory in my journey is the effect of my faith has had on friends and family. God is moving powerfully.

• In 2009, my son was baptized! It was the best present I ever had in life! Our relationship has been renewed. Now, we are in the same ministry and serve together.
• In 2015 my younger brother was baptized, followed by his eldest son.
• In 2017 my parents died. I was sad but also joyful, because they were home in heaven.
• In 2020, my eldest brother was baptized into Christ!
• Some of my co-workers were baptized! Overall about 19 people have come to faith in Jesus.

I feel overwhelmed with joy: despite my imperfect life, heartache, and bitterness, God revealed his love and worked in amazing ways in my life! He has a perfect plan for me and my family!

“The one true God acts in a faithful manner; the Lord’s promise is reliable;

he is a shield to all who take shelter in him." Psalms 18:30