I married Kevin in 1978. At the time, I went to church but had not yet invited the Lord into my heart. Kevin was very happy for me to go to church, and two years later I became a committed Christian. We had two children, and he was happy to look after them while I went to church, but he didn’t want any Christian storybooks for them in the house in case I brainwashed them!

For those of you who are in this situation, you will be very aware of the spiritual battles that this can bring into a marriage. At times, it is almost unbearable, so I had to learn how to manage those times with the help of the Holy Spirit.

I learned that I had to know what the Word of God said and live according to it, to wear the armour of God and stand firm in his strength. I prayed for Kevin a lot, but I realised I needed to pray more for myself, that God would change me and help me be the wife and witness that Kevin needed, and that God would help him be the husband I needed.

READ MORE: I waited for a husband and God answered my prayer when I was 44

I remember one day the Lord laid it on my heart to thank him for Kevin every day

I remember one day the Lord laid it on my heart to thank him for Kevin every day. I decided that every morning, at the beginning of my quiet time, I would thank God for Kevin and for being my husband. God used this thankfulness to help me see how blessed I was, despite the difficulties.

I have been blessed to belong to wonderful churches. Fellowship and friendship have made all the difference, and having other supportive women to pray with has been absolutely essential. Without that, I doubt I would be writing this.

I had to learn not to fret and worry over the children, and the day came when they said to me: “We want to come to church with you.” I didn’t force them; I just let them make up their own minds. God answered that prayer. They are both in their 40s and Christians.

READ MORE: I prayed for many years for my husband to know Jesus

One day, early on, I heard Joyce Meyer speaking on the radio. What she was saying really helped me. It was so practical, and I learnt so much from listening to her and reading her books. One particular teaching really impacted me, and that was on righteousness. My understanding of this changed my life so that I could declare over myself: “I am the righteousness of God in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

I knew I had been made righteous because of the blood of Jesus and that he had taken all my sin. All guilt went, along with any false thinking that Kevin wasn’t accepting Christ because of my ineffective witness.

READ MORE: “I thought my wedding might never happen – then one Christian friend showed me grace.”

Someone asked me recently what to say to their non-Christian husband. My reply was: “Say little, pray much!”

Someone asked me recently what to say to their non-Christian husband. My reply was: “Say little, pray much!”

Over time, I learnt that arguing was completely fruitless, but at times an answer laced with a truth from the Word was more powerful. For instance, neither of us had a great experience with our earthly fathers, but I could say with all my heart that my heavenly Father was the best Dad! Kevin became a Christian two years ago. I am so blessed, and all the glory goes to God for what he alone has done! Love God first, then your husband. Know the Word of God. Be thankful. Pray much, say little.

Do not give up. Forty years is nothing compared to an eternity spent with God!

Why I became a Christian – Kevin’s story

Before retiring, I worked as a commercial heating engineer. In 2021, I was asked to move some pipework at a local church, where I worked alongside Pete, the pastor. We got on well, and something he said stayed with me: “You are more of a Christian than you think you are.”

Around that time, my wife Linda asked if I would attend church with her. At first, I only went occasionally, but gradually I began to feel at home, particularly after making friends with John and Roland, who shared my interest in fishing. My son Stephen recommended watching John Lennox on YouTube. I’ve always been interested in science, and his talks helped me see Christianity as evidence-based. I also began watching Expedition Bible by Joel Kramer, which answered many of my questions about the authenticity of the Bible.

Meanwhile, Linda was living out her faith. She had received a vision to open a Christian bookshop in Chelmsford in 2018, but Covid interrupted her plans. After lockdown, she began giving away Bibles on the High Street, and I helped transport the equipment in my van. Watching her commitment made me realise that God had to be real.

Then, in 2024, I underwent a total knee replacement. The first night in hospital, I experienced terrible pain and couldn’t sleep. Desperate, I reached for the Gideons Bible beside my bed and prayed: “Lord, get me through this.” And He did. I now know that Jesus Christ is real and that He is my Saviour. I’m still learning, but I’ve discovered that faith isn’t about what we do for God, even when we’re out sharing His word. It’s about what He has already done for me.