But God: The Power of Hope When Catastrophe Crashes InShembull

Emily and I have always believed that the goal of marriage is oneness with each other and oneness with God. When you get married, two people become one, creating a bond that—when nurtured—only grows stronger with time. Through our shared struggles, Emily and I found that suffering could either push us together or pull us apart. There is no in-between. Successful couples who face trials such as these don’t just survive; they thrive. Couples who thrive in the face of challenges feel the suffering while continuing to fight for their marriages. We each need our own intimate relationship with God, but also a relationship with God as a unit; these bonds look different, each with their own unique qualities. Thankfully, God allowed the trials in our life to help us love each other better. Don’t get me wrong. Emily and I are human. We are sinful. We’ve had our share of ups and downs and continue to have them to this day. There have been tears, heartbreak, and moments of weakness along the way. But those trials have allowed us to share a deeper and more meaningful love between us. Our bond has grown because of the struggles we’ve endured, not in spite of them. We no longer fear tragedy or trauma. We know when it strikes that we have each other’s backs, and, most importantly, that God has it covered. We thank Him for that strength. We desperately needed it as we headed into the unknown, battling our son’s catastrophic brain injury. Prayer Lord, help my family to grow closer through our trials. Please help us support each other and love each other better. Amen.