In sickness and in health

A wedding vow we've all come to know. But, how do we respond when our spouse gets ill?

Just a few months into being married, I started experiencing health complications that have continued now for seven months. Through this, I've come to realize more about Jesus and more about the awesome husband He has given me. 

"Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance" James 1:2-3  

 

I'm so grateful for Garrett's selfless support, sacrificial love, understanding, grace, forgiveness and sensitivity that model Jesus and lead me to praise. Not that I idolize my husband, but I'm so thankful for Him.

We are both continually learning about what it means to love well in sickness and in health. I'm learning how to be vulnerable with Garrett and honest in my weakness, and together we are learning to rely on Jesus as our sole provider, healer and comforter, but allow Him to love us through each other.

"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison"-2 Corinthians 4:17.

Though my husband and our marriage makes me VERY happy, I love what Gary Thomas writes in Sacred Marriage, "What if God made marriage to make us more holy than happy?"

Through this season of trials, we are learning,

• To live each day with complete reliance on the Lord, trusting in Him to direct our steps. 
• To live in unity with one another.
• To embrace sacred moments and laugh a lot.
• To be honest in our suffering. 
• To appreciate our differences. 
• Not to fear. 
• To serve one another. 
• To accept our circumstances. 
• How God loves us through community. 
• To pray, A lot.

"Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God."- 1 Peter 4:1-2