In Sickness and In Health

Before Brad and I got married, Pennsylvania law required that all couples have a physical before marriage. I am not exactly sure why that law was created, but we complied. It was there in September 1987 at your Daddy's physical that the doctor said, "Oh I didn't know you were diabetic," to which your Daddy responded, "Neither did I." Brad's blood sugar was apparently high. The doctor commented that maybe it was nothing, but to keep a lookout for certain symptoms of diabetes: excessive thirst, exhaustion.

So fast forward to after the wedding at the end of the year: We had just gotten back from celebrating Christmas with Brad's family in Cape Girardeau, MO. We had feasted on any number of cookies and chocolates. On New Year's Eve we were planning to go to a party in Indiana with friends. Brad noticed the symptoms above and scheduled a doctor's appointment for that day. He came home that morning, woke me up and said, "Jill, I have to go to the hospital," to which I responded, "You can't! We have a party tonight." Chalk that one up to sleep stupor. Brad's blood sugar was over 500. We learned, of course, he was most definitely diabetic and more specifically, Juvenile or Type 1. He would need to inject insulin to live for the rest of his life.

Brad did not like shots. And now he was being told at the age of 22 that he needed to learn how to inject himself and check his blood sugar upwards of six times/day. We were warned of potential future problems with eyesight, touch, feet, kidneys and the like. We were scared to death. Especially when the nurse said to us, "If you do as I instructed, I can't guarantee that you won't have the problems I've just explained to you. But if you don't, I can guarantee you will. Without insulin, he will be dead in two years."

I remember leaving my husband that night in the hospital, going home and doing a whole lot of crying and praying. I also inhaled a bunch of chocolate. I think I thought we could never have sweets in the house again. Diabetes, of course, changed our lives forever. There have been scary moments for sure - and thousands of dollars spent in medical care - but Brad has been meticulous about caring for himself. His A1c (average blood sugar levels) are near normal.

I don't ever remember thinking that just two months prior I'd said "in sickness or in health," but we were certainly getting a true test of those vows quite quickly. And I'm grateful to God that, for the most part, "health" is what we've dealt with throughout our marriage.

Years ago when Brad and I lived in Wisconsin, we attended a marriage seminar called "Laugh Your Way To A Better Marriage" by Mark Gungor. Friends gave us tickets to attend. It was hilarious. He gave us both incite into how the female and male minds worked. We learned and laughed a lot.

Mark started this ministry in 2003. He is the senior pastor at Celebration Church in Wisconsin and started the marriage seminar because no else in the area was. He has spoken all over the country, is one of the most requested speakers for the military, has a radio show and internet show and has authored several books. He married his high school sweetheart Debbie who has been married to for over 40 years.

The other day, Mark posted that his wife had stage 4 breast cancer that had spread to her bones. She is in so much pain, that medication cannot touch it. Here is a man who has helped make countless marriages stronger now watching his beloved wife struggle through an unfair, ruthless disease. In sickness ...

It is not a fair part of life, but it happens. You will face many things throughout your marriage that will test the "in sickness" portion of your vows. Some as simple as a paper cut or cold. Some not so simple. But you will do it together, through prayer, through grace, in strength, with God. Take good care of yourselves. I can't guarantee bad things won't happen if you do, but I can guarantee they will if you don't. So be good to your bodies. Give the rest to the Father.

Discussion: Do you know of married couples who have had to deal with sickness? How have they handled it? What are ways you both would approach changes in health?

Prayer: We thank you, Father, that we are tenderly in your care. Give us strength and courage to deal with whatever health concerns may come our way. We pray for health in our marriage, spiritual, mental and physical, that we may be at our best to serve you. And pray in sickness we continue to glorify your Holy Name. In Jesus, Amen.