What does it mean to hold on to hope in the midst of a dying marriage? Author Irene Garcia knows how God rescues those in tough spots and makes them . She joins guest host Bill Arnold to share her story.
Irene and her husband Domingo met at a young age. She was from a proper, strict family, and he was a wild teenager with severe anger issues. When Irene became pregnant, they decided to get married at age 16. Their marriage was riddled with physical and emotional abuse. Miraculously, God intervened in their marriage. Irene shares what happened next.
“I met a godly Christian woman… I wanted what she had. She had Christ shining through her! I came to the Lord thinking that God would give me a new husband. He did give me a new husband – He changed Domingo. I didn’t love my husband – I hated my husband. But I realized that Jesus died on the cross for my sin and my husband’s sin – how could I not forgive him?”
Shortly after God healed and made their marriage new, He gave them a desire to help hurting children. To date, Irene and Garcia have raised 32 children, many with special needs. Irene says it’s not a comfortable and easy path, but God is bringing fruit from their choice.
“Each one has taught me an amazing thing and God has used them to humble me and show me what He’s all about. I’m not always patient, but at the end of the day we have to surrender to Him. God is always there. I have learned I have to let God pull me and get me through the obstacle.” Irene says that accepting these different gifts from God means that He gets to be the hero of the story.
Key Scriptures: Isaiah 40:30-31; Colossians 4:6
Theme Song: On Our Side by Lincoln Brewster
