How Do You Go From Restoration to Rejoicing? By Pat McNatt

Our guest blogger today is Pat McNatt. Pat is the author of a recently released book, From Restoration to Rejoicing; Sharing Life’s Journey Through Brokenness. In her life, Pat has faced divorce, has lost two children to death, has faced bankruptcy and estrangement from family members. Her book is a memoir designed to help others who might be undergoing similar trials and need hope.

Unfortunately, we don’t always make good choices.  Sometimes the choices we make take us  down a very difficult road.  I was saved at the age of ten but I did not experience any spiritual growth until I started raising my own family.  Therefore, I did not realize I needed to pray about who I was going to marry.

I graduated in May and married in June at the age of seventeen.  That was the beginning of a life filled with lots of tears and heartaches.  There were a few good times, such as the adoption and birth of my children, but the bad times were so bad I can barely  remember the good ones.  I have worked since I was sixteen years old but being a mom is the hardest job I have ever had.  It is amazing how two people can produce so many different personalities.  The gene pool in our family was really crazy.  I raised three kids who all had a different dad and mom, two were adopted and one was biological.

My kids were in church from the time they were babies until they left home.  However, life was still filled with lots of valleys.  They experienced drugs, alcohol, running away from home, dropping out of school and sexual sins.  It was during that time I experienced a lot of spiritual growth.  I knew God was the only one I could completely depend on.  On several occasions I remember praying and asking “God do I have to grow any more right now?  Can I please just coast for a little while?”

After being married for twenty three years I filled for divorce.  Not only had there been lots of issues raising the kids I also found myself being the major source of income.  My son had ruined his life with drugs and I found out my oldest daughter had been abused by her dad.  This was the lowest point in my life.

God in his grace and mercy showed me he had a plan and there was purpose to my life.  For seven years I worked in college ministry.  That was a mountain top experience for me and the beginning of my restoration.  Oh there have been other valleys, but God brings me through each one and I am always a little stronger when I reach the other side.

At this point I have buried two children, been forced to file bankruptcy twice, and had an unfaithful husband who abused his own daughter.  The only way to rejoice is to experience God’s love, grace and mercy.  He has restored me in a way I never thought possible.  For years, I felt like such a failure.  I have one child out of three who grew up without experiencing a lot of heartaches.  One out of three is thirty- three and a third.  When I grew up that was a failing grade.  Not to mention a failed marriage and lack of college education.

I am now at a place in my life where I can rejoice and give thanks for all God has done for me.  I am married to a wonderful Christian man, I have two precious grandchildren, I have my nursing license and God is using me to encourage others.  It is what we do with our bad experiences that determine what our bad experiences do to us.  I invite you to read  From Restoration to Rejoicing…” and I pray you too will be able to find yourself rejoicing in God’s goodness and grace. Pat McNatt.