On Thursday, March 19, 2015, while sitting next to Ingrid at Suburban Hospital, I was moved by the Lord to write the letter below. When I finished the letter, I sent it to a group of brothers at my church to share with other men who might be having trouble in their marriage. On March 23, 2015, Ingrid went home.
I share this letter again, because I believe there is a brother or sister who needs to hear that redemption is not only possible, but is available. I am living proof of that. Not only did the Lord forgive me, but my wife forgave me as well. I want to be clear that I was not worthy. I was grateful.
March 2015
Dear Brothers,
I am at the hospital, sitting next to my wife as she is sleeping. The doctors have done all they can do for her, but the outcome is not good. My wife is under medication to reduce the pain and to allow her to rest. It truly is the most difficult time of my life. There are times when I appear to be strong and times when I start crying.
On December 1, 1999, I left my wife for another woman. During that time, I was not a good man to my family. While I was in the wilderness, God covered my family and sent the right people to minister to my wife. During that time, she prospered when she should not have. Spiritually, she grew and experienced God’s love and guidance.
My life was not what I thought or hoped it to be. I was not happy; in fact, I was miserable. Around the fall of 2005, I started going to Bridgeway Community Church, and I attended the Men’s Ministry retreat in January 2007. I met Bill Green, which was what I needed. God spoke to me through the retreat, and I began to get involved with the Men’s Ministry.
In September 2007, my wife and I went to court, but I had a better attitude. After court, she gave me a ride to my car, and I felt like I had when I first met her. I told her that had I been a godly man, I never would have divorced her. We re-established our friendship and remarried in 2012.
We have been back together for seven and a half years. As I write this, the woman I love is dying.
The Lord blessed me again by allowing me back into the lives of my girls and my wife. Praise the Lord! While our hearts are heavy, we know God’s daughter is going home.
I do have a request. Please share this with the brothers. Tell them to work their marriages out and cherish it. Do not waste the time that the Lord has provided. Love your wife, respect her, forgive her, and do not allow anger or selfishness to get in the way.
I have a testimony that I do not want, but it is a testimony some brother or sister needs to hear. Please learn from my mistakes and selfish choices.
Larry Beverly
Men’s Ministry
Connect with Larry and the Bridgeway Men’s Ministry here.
Connect with our Ignite Marriage Ministry here.
If you need help or support, please contact Care.
If you are looking for activities to meet others, check out our Events.
If you are looking for people to do life with, connect with our Groups.