Meet Marsha Dunn

As a result of John's absence, Diotrephes, who liked to put himself first, did not acknowledge the authority of the church's leaders (3 John 9-10). I have a feeling his actions were on the sly, not in front of others in the church. Gaius seemed to be unaware of the issue.

There came a point in my marriage when I decided I would stop listening to and caring about my husband. I never told him or anyone else. I focused on myself and the responsibility for my three children. Because of this decision, I missed out on God's plan of being one with my husband. I made life hard on myself by refusing to ask for his help or counsel regarding anything. I took on the role of a leader at church and at my children's school. If I didn't know how to answer my child's discipline issues at school, I kept silent. I missed opportunities to counsel with biblical advice and grow in my trust of God. At church, I was not transparent with my decision to emotionally separate from my husband. Therefore, no one really knew me. I listened to others' difficulties but rarely shared my walk with God, because I was afraid of being judged. I lost opportunities to cherish my family. Because I put myself first, I greatly slowed my growth of trust in God.

Through re|engage, the Lord gently reminded me through His Spirit just how much He had forgiven me. After leading nine groups, I see my husband as a gift from God and respect his counsel and help in my life. We still disagree at times, but we both have resolved to initiate God's kindness by reopening hard issues, hearing the hurt, and asking for and receiving forgiveness.

John told Gaius that he would handle the issue with Diotrephes in person. In the meantime, John trusted God by encouraging Gaius to initiate hospitality and kindness because God first showed His love to us by sending Jesus to show us the way back to Him our Creator (Romans 5:8).