SpiriseBible
When Love Died and God Resurrected It
Sarah and Michael Thompson's Journey from Divorce to Restoration
Sarah & Michael Thompson
Married 15 years • Divorced 2 years • Remarried 5 years • Marriage Counselors
"We signed divorce papers. God signed a different document—our restoration story."
We met in college—Sarah studying nursing, Michael in business. Young, in love, invincible. Our wedding was perfect: 300 guests, destination honeymoon, dreams bigger than our faith.
Sarah:
"I thought Michael was my savior. He was handsome, ambitious, came from a good Christian family. I ignored the red flags—his temper, my people-pleasing, our lack of real communication. We were building on sand, but the house looked beautiful from the outside."
Michael:
"I was driven to succeed, to give Sarah everything. 80-hour weeks became normal. Church became optional. Our marriage became a business partnership—managing schedules, paying bills, keeping up appearances. We were roommates with rings."
Years 1-5: The Cracks Appear
Two kids, three job changes, one miscarriage, zero authentic connection
June 15, 2018 - The Death
Michael found the texts. Months of messages, photos, "I love yous" to another man. The confrontation was volcanic. Words became weapons. Children crying upstairs. Thirteen years of marriage reduced to screaming accusations.
Michael:
"I threw her suitcase on the lawn. Told her she disgusted me. Changed the locks. Filed for divorce the next morning. I wanted her to hurt like I was hurting."
Sarah:
"I moved in with my mom. Lost my husband, my home, my children's respect. The affair ended immediately—fantasy crashed into reality. I was alone with my shame."
The Divorce Years: 2018-2020
Custody battles, divided holidays, broken children, separate emptiness
Sarah:
"I attempted suicide on Christmas Eve 2019. My kids were with Michael. I was alone in my apartment, pills in hand. My phone rang—wrong number. An elderly woman apologizing. Something made me tell her everything. She prayed for me for an hour. A stranger's wrong number saved my life."
Michael:
"I was successful, dating, 'winning' the divorce. But watching my son cry himself to sleep asking 'Why doesn't Mommy live here?' broke something in me. My daughter stopped eating. Success felt like ashes."
The Divine Intervention
January 2020: Our daughter Emma was hospitalized—severe anxiety, self-harm. Sitting in that hospital room, divorced parents of a broken child, we had to face the truth: Our hatred was killing our children.
The hospital chaplain suggested co-parenting counseling with a Christian therapist. Pride said no. Our daughter's bandaged wrists said yes.
Dr. Patricia Williams didn't try to save our marriage—it was already dead. She focused on healing us individually first.
"And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten..."
- Joel 2:25 (KJV)
This verse became our lifeline when restoration seemed impossible.
Michael:
"Six months into counseling, I realized I was looking forward to our co-parenting meetings. Not because of the kids—because I was seeing a different Sarah. Broken, humble, growing. The Holy Spirit whispered, 'I'm not done with your marriage.'"
Sarah:
"Michael started leaving me encouraging notes after kid exchanges. 'You're a good mom.' 'Emma's smile is back because of you.' One day he texted, 'I forgive you.' I cried for three hours."
December 2020: We attended Emma's Christmas play—separately. During 'Silent Night,' she looked at both of us and mouthed, "I wish you loved each other again." We made eye contact. Both crying. Both broken. Both finally ready to let God do the impossible.
The Restoration Process: 2021
Dating our ex-spouse, rebuilding trust, killing pride daily, choosing love hourly
We started "dating" secretly. Coffee talks became dinner conversations. We read marriage books together—as divorced people. Prayed together for the first time in years. It was awkward, painful, beautiful.
August 14, 2021 - The Remarriage
50 guests. Our children as witnesses. Same church, different people. We didn't just repeat vows—we understood them. "For better or worse" had been tested. "Till death do us part" had new meaning.
Emma's speech: "My parents' love story isn't perfect. It's better—it's redeemed."
First Marriage
- Built on feelings
- Self-centered love
- Conflict avoidance
- Secret struggles
- God as addition
- Performance-based
Restored Marriage
- Built on commitment
- Sacrificial love
- Healthy conflict resolution
- Radical transparency
- God as foundation
- Grace-based
Restoration Ripple Effect - 5 Years Later
To the Couple in Crisis
Sarah:
"If you've been unfaithful, there is hope. The shame feels unbearable, but God's grace is greater. It requires complete brokenness, radical honesty, and daily death to self. But resurrection is possible."
Michael:
"If you've been betrayed, I understand the rage. Forgiveness feels like letting them win. But unforgiveness is drinking poison hoping they die. God can heal your heart and—if you're willing—your marriage."
We're not saying every marriage can be saved. But we're living proof that God specializes in resurrection.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
- Romans 8:28 (KJV)
Will You Trust God with Your Marriage?
Whether your marriage is struggling or already ended, God wants to work. Here's the prayer we prayed separately that changed everything:
"God, I can't fix this. I can't even fix me. I surrender my marriage, my pain, my future to You. Work in me first. Give me Your love for my spouse. If restoration is Your will, nothing can stop it. If not, heal me to love again. I trust You with the outcome. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Today, we lead marriage retreats for couples in crisis. We show our divorce papers at every event—not as shame, but as proof of God's redemptive power. Those papers sit in a frame above our bedroom door with Ephesians 2:4-5 written across them: "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ."
Our children? Emma is studying counseling, wanting to help broken families. Our son leads worship, singing of God's restoration. They witnessed hell and heaven in the same home. They chose heaven.
Your marriage may feel dead. We understand. But we serve a God who speaks to graves and commands life. Will you let Him?
