Debra Manning

I grew up in a town where my dad was a police detective (that in itself should say everything). My mom stayed at home to take care of my 3 brothers, sister and I. Oh, and my dad who was harder than the 5 of us put together. She should have gotten double time for him.

I got married when I was 18 and my first son David was what they call a honeymoon baby. The remaining 24 years I had 3 more children (Kyle, Noah, and Abby) and had 4 miscarriages. During those 26 years we spent most of them at a small church in Bangor, PA.

During the 16 years we were in Bangor. I had what I thought was the perfect family and marriage. My husband always would proclaim from the pulpit how much he loved me and how proud he was of our family. It is funny the illusion people want to see, myself included. The greatest joy I had during those 16 years were the children and teens I got to minister to while I was youth pastor/administrative pastor. I love those kids like they were my own.

On May 20, 2012, Dave stood in front of the congregation and said how much he loved me, how proud he was of me for graduating from Marywood. One month later Dave came home from a board meeting and said I quote "I just resigned at the church and I am moving to Delaware tomorrow." Those words will forever be engraved in my heart and soul. 26 years of marriage and prior to that 18 years at home with my parents. What was I do do? I had never been on my own before and what made things worse is I had to take care of my children too. I had nothing! I would like to say my church helped but they turned their back on us. When I asked for help the one board member said an I quote "We can't help every Tom, Dick, and Harry off the street." Really! My children and I faithfully served this congregation for 16 years and you won't help. WOW.

It is funny how we "proclaim" different scriptures or flippantly say Jehovah Jireh my provider! Do we even know what that means? I can truly say I do now. Not only with that scripture but with many many more. Many words and scriptures were no longer memory verses or scriptures thrown at a hurting person. They became truth for me and for that I will be forever grateful.

The best part after Dave abandoned me and my children and after our divorce, I not only survived but I thrived. God walked with me every step of the way and what is even better is that I don't have to worry about Him moving to Delaware.