That 'In Sickness & In Health' Stuff? I mean it, Marianne. Love, God

Today's post is more like a reflection, a sharing of circumstances that cropped up in my own marriage.

First, a touch of background. When my father passed away two years ago, an absolutely wonderful priest named Father Charlie helped us honor and memorialize him. Father Charlie's presence in our lives at a sad and critical moment was profound in so many ways they could become a blog post of their own. What I want to focus on today, however, is his philosophy of living, which was reflected promptly in his simple, heart-felt statement as we thanked him for his help: "This is where the rubber meets the road both for me as a priest, and in your faith walk as Christians."

Ever since, when I find myself challenged by life circumstances, or when I find myself needing to work at maintaining a peaceful and loving Christian outlook, I recall that phrase and take it to heart.

Take my wedding vows, for example. In sickness and in health, for example.

My husband recently underwent hip replacement. He's been needing the procedure for quite some time. I faced my own health issues, so he waited until things stabilized and set it up for December 7th (Yes, he did refer to it as his very own Pearl Harbor day...). The timing fit well for him. Work patterns slowed at that point in the calendar. He had vacation/holiday time to use. He'd have peaceful time to recover and focus on healing with minimal stress, which was perfect.

For the first few weeks he would be dependant on me. I would need to be his care-giver, and part of me looked forward to helping him through the process and helping him reach the other side of a less painful life and renewed mobility. We have been dreaming of a trip somewhere fun and special this coming year to celebrate a pair of milestones in our lives--my 50th birthday and our 30th anniversary...

Except... (Don't you just love that qualifier?)

Except, early December leads us to Christmas...with all the wonderful and sometimes draining busy-ness that goes along with the holiday. My daughter was coming to town, there was shopping, wrapping, baking to do - and where my DH's work schedule slows to a trickle in December, mine is at it's most overwhelming. Additionally, I had a book release and two deadlines looming, plus the daily care I put in to being present to my mom. Let's just say, in polite terms, I was uneasy about how gracious and patient a nurse I'd be.

I firmedmy resolve. My husband was counting on me. There was no way on earth I'd let him down. Not after the millions of ways he's reinforced me, my dreams, and my heart over the 30-year span of our marriage. 'In sickness and in health.' 'Rubber meets the road.' Everything else could wait...but him.

Cue the triumphant music, right?

Well...for the most part. There were inevitable frustrations. There were moments of exhaustion - more for him than me - but I found it very easy to get snarky, frustrated and overwhelmed. I did my best to hide those feelings from my DH, but he knows me way too well to be fooled, and I know his anxieties about recovery built as well. I did the only thing I could. I called on prayers, prayer warriors, my journaling, my meditative readings at night before I crashed into bed and welcomed the world of sleep.

I called on that wonderful power of my Savior. Rubber met the road.

I recalled our vows, and my DH did as well. Love didn't fail. It never does, if we give our lives the chance to relax into whatever circumstances come our way, God paves a path. Our lives are His. He won't defeat us or leave us floundering.

I'm happy to report my beloved is back to work, healing at an unbelievable rate, and doing great post surgery. Praise God!! He's a champ, and an inspiration to me. I'm also happy to report we had a wonderful Christmas celebration with our families and I met both deadlines - ahead of schedule.

Isn't God good?

We simply need to learn to trust that truth - and that's far easier said than done when outside influences work against us. Anyway, that was my lesson to learn. How about you? What are your challenges, influences, fears, joys? Send them to God. Lift them to the One who will hear, love and sanctify.

God bless, gang - and thanks for letting me share! Until next time ~

Marianne