I write like I talk so hang on!
Kiven and I started dating in August of 95. His mom, Brenda, belonged to a local Baptist church. She was there every Sunday and Wednesday, if I'm remembering correctly. It was really the first time I had ever seen someone that was a regular in church and liked it! I didn't grow up in church. She asked Kiven and I to go with her. We did! Truthfully, we only went to make her happy. I didn't feel comfortable, he didn't either, but she was happy. We loved her so THAT made us happy. I know that woman prayed for us, laying us at the Feet of Jesus all the time! God love her! (Thank you!)
We got married on Valentine's Day of 1996. By this time we had stopped going to church. We weren't bad people or trying to bust hell wide open. We didn't feel like we were missing anything. We liked the life we had and church didn't fit into that. That was until Elizabeth died (Elizabeth's Story). When she died, I needed answers. So, I went looking for them. Kiven came along for the ride. I thought that a pastor/preacher would probably be the go-to-guy to get me the answers I was looking for. So, I started my search at the church that Hubby grew up in. Honestly, I learned nothing, but the preacher did lead me to Christ! Kiven, not so much. We fell out of church again. I was discouraged by not getting the answers I needed. I was giving up. Kiven and others tried to encourage me, but it was of little comfort. They did try though!
A little boy named Jonathan came by our house one day with a flyer for a local church. Long story short (maybe), we went that Sunday. I loved the way I felt when I was greeted so I was sold! Hubby not so much. This church was a non-denominational church. It was SO different from EVERYTHING he grew up believing. Since I wasn't raised in church, I had no preconceived notions about anything. Hubby decided that he didn't want to go back. That broke my heart because I knew that I would be able to find some answers there! Kiven wanted me to get the answers I was looking for so he didn't say that I couldn't go. He supported me. He just wasn't ready for "all that" yet.
The more I learned, the more I wanted a Spiritual Head for our home, and being a married woman, it wouldn't be me. I needed my husband to step up. More than I needed him to, I WANTED him to. I was getting blessed learning and growing in my faith. I wanted that for Kiven. I asked him several times why he didn't go. His answer was always the same, "I just don't want to." In my frustration, I asked my then pastor how I could make him come. He, matter of factly, told me that I couldn't! I was a little shocked, but he gave me some advice on what I COULD do. God's Word says, "Let your requests be known unto God," Philippians 4:6. It also says, "You have not because you ask not, and when you ask, you ask amiss," James 4:2-3. He reminded me of these scriptures and told me that I just needed to ask and believe God for Kiven.
After Kiven went to bed that night, I laid my hands on him and prayed! I reminded God of what He said in His Word. I asked him for Kiven to line up with His Word and be the "Spiritual head of our home, in church every time the doors were open, saved, sold out and serving Him and leading our family. Loving me like Christ loved the church." When I was done, I thanked him for just that! From then on, I didn't nag Kiven about going, but every night when he went to bed, I laid my hands on him again, and just continually thanked God for just what I asked him for! Kiven didn't line up immediately but I wasn't moved. Every time I was at church, I placed my bible in the seat next to me. I decreed, according to Job 22:28, that my husband sat next to me in every service. Did I look like a fool? Probably! Especially when someone would ask to sit there and I told them that it was my husband's seat and in the natural, he wasn't sitting there. I wasn't moved! That WAS Kiven's seat and IF I believed what God said, I'd walk by faith, not what I could see.
Trying to make this short. "Bloggers" say that yall like a quick read. I'm trying! LOL!
Over time, Kiven softened to the idea of going to church with me. He came when WE dedicated Brayden. He came to support me when I was baptized. He noticed what a peace I was experiencing by growing in my RELATIONSHIP with my Father. Scott Everett, my then pastor, told me that I and God would win Kiven by MY walk with Christ. That is EXACTLY what happened! God won Kiven over by changing me. Scott told me to be the Proverbs 31 wife that I was called to be, and God would do the rest. He did! He showed UP and OUT!
It took 10 months for Kiven to line up with the Word of God that I spoke over him, but praise God, he did! God IS faithful! Kiven IS the Spiritual Head of our home! He is in church EVERY TIME the door is opened and then some. He is STILL saved, sold out and SERVING God, and our church! Kiven leads our family according the the Word of God! We got everything we asked for, and then some! I love you, more!
God has since planted us at another church, but I won't ever forget those elementary teachings! Because of those teachings, Kiven is leading our family with a Spiritual Authority that I knew was always in him! I honor him with all that I have in me! I'm SO proud of him and the works that God does through him!
To God be the Glory!
