When a spouse is ill it takes a huge toll, not only on the person who is ill, but on the other spouse and especially on the marital relationship. No longer are they able to have a “normal” marriage, but one that changes with the dynamics of the illness.

We have learned this from personal experience because Steve is an insulin-dependent Diabetic, and has been for most of our married lives. And Cindy has other physical conditions that restricts a lot of activities that the both of us can be involved in.

One of our friends said one time to us, “I don’t think I could live the way you guys have to live with Steve’s Diabetes.” I told him that years before, that wouldn’t have had to happen because people with Steve’s kind of Diabetes died right away. When you think of the alternative, we’re pretty blessed, even if we live with restrictions!

One thing it has done is it’s helped us to appreciate every day with each other. We never knew if we would be blessed with another day together so we’ve kept “short accounts” as far as being mad at each other and such. With every difficulty we can usually find a blessing behind it.

We’ve also come to realize that it’s opened different doors of ministry as God has led us to use our illnesses as opportunities to witness and also to minister to others who have been afflicted with what we have gone through.

We live a different kind of life, but it’s our life— one in which God has ordained that we participate with Him, and God has taught us to “go with the flow” and glorify Him despite it and in the midst of it.

Below you will find several links to articles and radio programs that are posted on web sites that we pray will encourage you as you reach for whatever victories you can discover despite illness. We pray they minister to your marriage:

The first is an article that gives the true testimony of Charlie and Lucy Wedemeyer and the surprising opportunities for ministry and marital victories they’ve encountered since Charlie was diagnosed with ALS: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. It is featured on the web site for the ministry of Family Life Today.

SPEAKING FROM THE HEART

Also, the ministry of Family Life Today also aired a two day radio broadcast where:

Charlie Wedemeyer, with the help of his wife Lucy, tells how they’ve remained committed to each other despite the ravages of Lou Gehrig’s disease.

To listen to and/or read the transcript of these broadcasts, please click below:

• STORM STORIES: CHARLIE’S VICTORY - Part 1

• STORM STORIES: CHARLIE’S VICTORY - Part 2

—ALSO—

The ministry of Family Life Today aired a 3 day radio broadcast on other victories despite illness that you may find helpful to listen to and/or read the transcripts.

Imagine if, like a computer, your memory was erased. What would you do? On this broadcast, pastor John Bishop, accompanied by his wife Donna, tells the unbelievable story of battling Aseptic Meningitis, which caused him to lose all his memory. Hear (or read) what he has faced as he relearned how to walk, talk, read and write all over again.

To do so please click onto the links provided below:

•  FORGETTING WHAT LIES BEHIND

•  FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE

•  MAKING NEW MEMORIES

 TESTIMONY:
Remembering Bill Bright

To read or listen to this testimony:

CLICK HERE