Your Story: Yolanda Perry
Please meet my friend, Yolanda Perry. She is a strong, authentic woman and the author of Worth the Wait. We met online. Sounds a bit suspect, doesn’t it? But we did, and I’m ever thankful. Online blog link-ups brought us together. Her intriguing story and full-of-Jesus-energy writing were too good to not share. I hope you enjoy the hop in her spiritual step as Yolanda shares and encourages women to draw near to God through today’s story.
Stay tuned every 1st Tuesday for another Your Story. To God be the glory as you walk deeper with him.
“This time, don’t wait.”
That was not what I anticipated hearing from God the day I curled up in my place of prayer, broken but confident He would say just what I expected Him to. In the midst of my crying, screaming, wailing…my prayer time came to a screeching halt when I heard those four words echoing in my soul, “This time, don’t wait”.
Three years had passed after my now former husband had returned home following a two year separation. After faithfully waiting, praying and believing he would come back home, God did exactly what I asked. About two years into reconciliation, I wrote and published my very first book titled Worth the Wait. As a matter of fact it was this very day eight years ago that I had my book signing debut…07-07-07. Oh my, seven is God’s perfect number, the number of completion. For me, this was like God saying, “I am sealing the deal!”
What an accomplishment. I was so proud. It was not just because of this book that I just knew would make it to the New York Times Best Seller’s List. I was more so proud of my ability to stand and trust God through one of the most difficult and traumatic times of my life.
Now everything about this time in my life was perfect…UNTIL!
Until what?
After separation.
After reconciliation.
After writing a tell-all book.
After selling hundreds of copies.
After traveling and telling my story of hope.
After three years of bliss…I was separated AGAIN!!!
Back to the drawing board I went. I needed God to tell me what to do…again. Only this time, I was not ready for His answer. It shook me to my core when He told me not to wait this time. Since I had mastered waiting, the concept of not was foreign to me. And then I was clueless about what to do about this book I had written. I could not believe it. He changed the game on me.
Is that even fair? I guess so when it is God doing the changing.
BUT God…He has this amazing way of proving how sufficient His grace is for us.
In the most gentle and clever way, God helped me to understand that I will never fully comprehend His way of doing things.
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.’“
(IS 55:8 NLT)
I now realize that even though my marriage ended, that does not negate the fact that God did answer my original prayer to bring my husband home. He just did not tell me he would not be there forever. And though the outcome is opposite of what I expected, God only wanted me to continue seeking Him for His perfect plan, purpose, and will for my life.
Truly God has brought me to a place of healing and wholeness in Him. With ease, I can transparently share my story so others can discover the hope that I have found. For a season, God had me on pause as I grieved the loss of my marriage, for a time of equipping, and so I could be fully available to my children as they, too, experienced this extreme life change. And you are now privy to the fruit of His charge for me to go forth in speaking and writing.
My road to a new normal after separation times two, which led to divorce, has been quite a journey that I am still enjoying to this very day. But over time, I learned a few things:
- It only takes Jesus to make me complete.
- To trust God’s plan, even when it trumps my own.
- Not having to share decision-making is not so bad most times. Ha!
Now what? I wait some more…to see what God does next…as I cling to these words,
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
(IS 40:31 KJV)
Hmmm…I just wonder, what are you WAITING for???
Well, whatever it is…if it is from God, I promise it is well worth it!
~Meet Yolanda ~
Yolanda Perry is a fun loving mom who loves God, life, elephants, and staying in great hotels. She finds fulfillment in transparently sharing her story and hearing how others are touched by it. Yolanda’s personal mission is to communicate and demonstrate unshakable faith.
Connect with Yolanda here:
www.speak2myheart.org
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
This is a BEAUTIFUL post, Yolanda. Thank you for offering words of hope to all who are waiting. Thanks for sharing transparently about the end of your marriage. Many women need these words of hope.
Betsy…Thank you for your kind words Friend! In God’s Kingdom, ends tend to represent new beginnings. So blessed by you today!
Yes- we will often not understand the details of God’s plan but we can trust his heart and wait on his goodness with hope while releasing our own expectations. Thanks for sharing Yolanda’s story today on #RaRaLinkUp.
Astrid…Such truth in God only shares the details we need at the time. But I am so grateful that I can be confident in the fact that He is All-knowing, even if He does not cue me in! 🙂
What a story of God’s grace and learning to trust in Him alone! Thank you for sharing, Yolanda. Your willingness to share so others can learn from your story shows the LOVE you have for God and others. Blessings!
Kristine…I learned a long time ago that everything I am belongs to God. It is not my story to hold hostage. I have to and count it a privilege to be able to share it for His glory!
Kristi – what a great idea to share others’ stories in this way! Thanks for broadening our horizons!
Yolanda, I love hearing how God is at work in your life. Blessings!
Amen Michele…and ditto on the cudos for Kristi allowing God to use her platform for such a time as this! Love you Kristi!
Hi Michele. Thanks for stopping by. They overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony…that’s what the Word says. Am thankful He’s opened the doors of the blog for others to share their encouragement.
Yolanda, that’s a beautiful story. A couple years ago, my cousin was in ICU with some sort of liver, kidney failure…the family was very guarded with details…but I prayed for a miracle…and I really believed in that miracle. I felt something way down deep in my spirit…and she pulled through. Everyone said it was a miracle. We rejoiced. A few weeks later, she died. And her sister said, “I prayed for a miracle and it didn’t happen.” I told her, “Yes it did. We prayed for a miracle and God gave us one. For that time.” I suppose, like your story, things happen AFTER the miracle that in our human mind seem like it cancels out that miracle, but who are we to decide? Thanks for sharing that story.
Oh Mary…so great you could clearly see that God did His part in answer to your prayer. That is the blessing in everything. Through it all, we just have to trust Him…the outcome is up to Him, always!
I think God keeps us on our toes like that. Just when we get settled he pulls a 1:2 punch with a surprise we didn’t expect. Your story is powerful because as Christians we tend to get complacent in the waiting . We fall asleep waiting and wind up doing nothing. Thank you for encouraging us with the option of God inspired action. Great word/ work Yolanda!
Lisha,
God does indeed know how to keep us on our toes. I appreciate your kind words!
Yolanda, wow. Thank you for this slice of life from your story. I had no idea. God is big in you.
I look forward to seeing that ‘in the flesh’ this Fall.
God bless you as you move in His gifts.
Jody! Slice is right…my goodness there are lots of slices, my Friend! And I am equally excited about joining you at your retreat this year…
Yolanda, thank you for your transparency here. God is so faithful even when we don’t understand what he is up to. He’s been speaking to me a lot about waiting lately, too. When he has a message to get across, he has a way of laying on multiple hearts, doesn’t he? Blessed by your words here today, friend.
Yesssss Abby…God sure does! Thanks for sharing your thoughts today.
Yolanda, I recently felt God tell me to stop waiting too. It felt so foreign, so untrusting while at the same time trusting … if that even makes sense. But I am holding on to this truth: “It only takes Jesus to make me complete.” I’ll keep trusting Him, each step of the way.
Thank you, Kristi, for sharing your heart and Yolanda’s words at #IntentionalTuesday on Intentionally Pursuing. : )
Crystal…Thanks for sharing your heart. God also comforted me by letting me know that letting go was not giving up. It was releasing my husband completely to him. And there is nothing like discovering that I am “whole” in Jesus!
Crystal, it’s always a pleasure. God has stories in women for women, to draw them to a deeper walk with God. Yolanda’s story certainly is that. See you next Tuesday. 🙂
Amazing how God can be firm in His will for us. Yes, wait no more. 🙂
That wait has been over for some years…but God has this way of presenting new “opportunities” to practice waiting. Ha! Bless you, Lux!
Yolanda, thank you for sharing with such transparency. We need to hear that even when things do not turn out as we would hope, God is still with us. May I just encourage you with this verse …”For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!” (Isaiah 64:4, NLT) He is working on your behalf EVEN IN the wait! Blessings!
Joanne…I have learned that my story is His story. I don’t get to hold it hostage! And I receive that verse…Eyes haven’t seen…
Thank you for sharing your story. It is important to hear testimonies like yours; too often we think God is only there if we get the answer and miracle we want. God works ALL things together for good to those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose. Joining you from Coffee for Your Heart today.
Yesssssss…ALL THINGS!!!
Powerful testimony, powerful God! I love your willingness to share the story of your journey and how God has used all of the experiences and circumstances in your life to strengthen you, mold you and use you. So excited to see how God speaks through you each week, dear friend! Blessings!
AMEN! And bless you Lisa…God is SO faithful. Love you much Lady!
It is not easy to be as transparent as you have been in sharing your story with the world! You are such an amazing and inspiring woman. May God continue to open the windows of Heaven over your life and ministry!
I receive that Machelle Wall…Love you dearly!
Kristi,
Thank you for your willingness to use your amazing platform to feature such amazing people as Yolanda Perry. It is your selflessness that allowed the world to hear her testimony of God’s grace in the time of waiting.
We’re all in this together, raising the praise to One. It’s an honor to open the blog’s doors to encouraging women like Yolanda. 🙂 #GoJesus
My friend Kristi…is quite Uh-mazing herself!
Bless your huge heart, Yolanda, and thanks so much for sending me this link! You are one amazing, encouraging woman of God!
Bless you Serena! Of all the thousands now in my SM space, God always reminds me to pray for and stay connected to you! 🙂 Hmmm…wonder what’s in store in the future?!
Yolanda,
I love your #1 so much! And the #2 lesson! I’m lol-ing at #3 b/c my fear is that I will get too used to running this show by myself. In seriousness, though, thank you for your testimony of God’s grace and FULLNESS even when the worst happens. Good to read your story here.
Ha! Yeah…I have been apart from my husband since 2008, and I have not even dated. I am NOT scared…just content! It is going to harrrrrrdddd when I have to share the decision-making thing. lol
Yolanda,
What a wonderful post about waiting! I can’t even imagine the emotional turmoil you endured on so many levels. oh, but I can only imagine the direction the enemy wanted to take your thoughts and ministry! What a testimony to staying true to what God has called you and surrendering to the Lord so that He could “make all things good for those who love Him!” I’m so thankful I found you at Susan’s #DanceWithJesus Linkup! My post for next week that I’m currently writing is about Hope during the wait. You inspired me here to keep going in that direction! Thank you!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Praise the Lord…And #WriteOn Sister! 🙂
So much wisdom and love here Yolanda! Your words are my prayer for all women reading today, “Truly God has brought me to a place of healing and wholeness in Him.”! Thank you for the openness to share!
Amen…Thank you for your kind words Sis.
Thank you for your vulnerability in sharing your story, Yolanda. And thank you for highlighting Isaiah 40— the breathtaking passage I’ve been delighting in and clinging to this week 🙂 Stopping by from Thought Provoking Thursdays… Blessings to you!
Thanks for sharing! God’s plan is always worth the wait, even if it is hard. I love that verse from Isaiah. Your neighbor at #fellowshipFriday.
You truly are a woman of power because you rely on our Ultimate Higher Power — Jesus. It’s an honor to know you. Blessings and hugs!
Yolanda- your beautiful humility and faithfulness is inspiring. Thank you for sharing you journey. It’s encouraging to hear about when others are blessed in their obedience. I love this line: “It only takes Jesus to make me complete.” Amen! Loved reading your words today.