Life has brought my family through trials that seemed insurmountable. Twelve years ago, my husband suffered a stroke, and since that day, his health has been an ongoing battle. From the stroke to the LVAD implant and even the loss of his right leg, each step has brought new challenges. Yet, through it all, our love has endured, deeply anchored in our faith in God.

As a blended family, the complexity of our situation is multiplied. Raising three boys while managing my husband’s health and maintaining a full-time job has been overwhelming at times. Yet, these moments of exhaustion and uncertainty have become the very moments where God’s grace shines the brightest. The verse, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9), has been a lifeline, reminding me that in my weakest moments, God’s strength is perfected.

Blending a family is never easy, but when you add chronic illness and financial strain, the difficulty intensifies. It requires a level of grace, patience, and trust in God that I never knew I possessed. Over time, I’ve learned to lean on the Lord more than ever, holding fast to the promise that “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Even when I couldn’t see the way forward, I trusted that God was guiding us, step by step.

In 2022, I participated in a monologue show and spoke about our journey—how we’ve faced these trials together, and how our love and faith have sustained us through the darkest days. This is not just the story of our marriage; it’s the story of our family’s resilience. We’ve chosen to view life through the lens of faith, finding beauty and hope even in the hardest moments. The verse “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12) has been our guide, helping us remain hopeful, patient, and prayerful through every trial.

Looking back, I can see how these trials have strengthened our love and our faith. Each challenge has brought us closer together, teaching us to rely on each other and on God in ways we never imagined. We’ve discovered that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful and that even in the midst of pain, there is joy to be found. The words of James encourage us to “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:2-3). These verses have taught us to find joy in every situation, knowing that God is at work in our lives.

If you’re facing your own storms, whether in a blended family or any other challenging situation, I hope our story encourages you. Remember, you are not alone. Love is powerful, but it is our faith that gives us the strength to endure and the grace to thrive, even when life doesn’t go as planned. Keep looking through those rose-colored glasses—not out of denial, but out of a deep trust that “the LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

Have you faced similar challenges in your marriage or family? How has your faith helped you navigate tough times? I’d love to hear your story in the comments below. Let’s encourage one another as we continue this journey together.