When God Repairs Your Marriage Before Your Child Gets Sick

It wasn’t until my husband sought after me, held me close, looked directly into my eyes and told me he loves me more today than yesterday, that he misses me terribly and that he wants to be ‘us’ again … it wasn’t until I heard those life-affirming words … it wasn’t until His grace came rushing over me as the water flows from mountain peaks after a hard rain into the lowest valleys … that my eyes and my heart opened.

How could it be so?

He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved.

You covered it with the watery depths as with a garment, the waters stood above the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place You assigned for them.

You set a boundary they cannot cross; never again will they cover the earth.

He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains (Psalm 104:5-10).

Our marriage was lost in a ravine, surrounded by high walls of solid rock. The devil had convinced me I should be ashamed of my physical body, that I had not stayed in shape, that they way I looked was of utmost importance to my husband. Lies, each and every one.

I picture this ravine long, narrow and deep, as they sometimes are. In my early 20’s, my brother and I hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Where water and weather had eroded the rock, you would find spaces with a depth only known to the scorpions and God.

In this season of marital distance, Jason was at one end, alone and unseen, waiting for his wife to come to him. I, at the other, was sleeping or keeping busy, hoping to avoid the pain of being an unworthy middle-aged wife.

Straight from heaven came life, His breath upon our faces in the darkness. And then the stream of blessing. For several days in a row, I was held by the physical arms of my faithful husband and the supernatural arms of my Abba Father.

It truly was overwhelming. The wrapping of love felt familiar yet I was saddened by how far I had drifted.

The psalmist says in verse 10, God makes springs to pour water, not sprinkle or simply quench, but pour into the ravines.

A bounty of refreshment for our shared marital soul. Jason and I began reading His Word and praying together … again.

A holy rekindling of the fire in the center of our marriage so that both Jason and I knew where it came from.

Only God can take what is lost and name it found.

Only God can fill gaping holes of sorrow and insecurity with joy-full grace.

Only God can wash away pride and fear; soften hearts to give/receive forgiveness.

Only He can cleanse the messes we allow to happen.

Only God who knows what’s coming around the corner can abundantly bless the parents of a sick child before they are even aware of the mountain of illness throughout their son’s intestines.

Yes! “Praise the Lord, my soul” (Psalm 104:1).

He is sovereign and took great care to help us repair our marriage before this trial.

Starting at the end of November until now, Jackson has had intestinal issues, stomach pain, and many medical tests. Life as he once knew it is different.

Just the other night, Jason and I said, almost at the same time, what if the devil was still in the middle of us?

He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains (Psalm104:10).

There is a flow of the Spirit of God wherever there are believers who worship and pray in truth.

Our marriage is comprised of two believers who pray and worship in truth, no can do satan.

Many, I dare say, hundreds of sisters and brothers have stormed heaven on our behalf with what little I have shared about Jackson’s condition. We are blessed beyond our wildest dreams with people covering us in prayer. His Spirit is on the move, flowing in between walls and mountains and any other obstacles, giving us all peace … even the 13 year old whose life is changing before his eyes.

The devil has tried to tear Jackson down, telling him he just should be like other kids, he shouldn’t have to take medicine, he shouldn’t have anything wrong with him.

The devil has tried to come between Jason and me.

A flow of living water, a glorious spring, runs between and within each of us.

We are His children. We serve only One Holy Lord and that’s Jesus Christ Our Savior.

In Matthew 11:23, Jesus says, if we have mountains in our lives, massive mounds of earthly junk, we can tell that mountain to go dump itself in the sea.

In other words, we can tell the mountain to move up out of our way, that we are on a mission to believe Our Mighty God is at work. He never sleeps. He never forsakes. His power is untamable. Death cannot hold Him.

What about a diagnosis? We do not have a definitive one yet for Jackson, but his issues do not have an easy earthly resolve. This we know.

Whatever the diagnosis is, God is bigger.

Jackson, or any of us, is not defined by a diagnosis.

We are designed by Our Creator who chose to make us in His own image, a holy reflection of Himself.

Let’s agree to let God define us and shout that from the rooftops so the devil and his minions hear.

We in the Dibble family, and we would love if you join us, will not entertain the enemy’s weak attempts to interrupt our abundant living in Christ.

Jason says NEVER AGAIN, and I stand in agreement wrapped in his arms and surrounded by the Spirit of the Living God.

“If you love me keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever-the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him or knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:13-17).

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Thank you, dear readers, for your patience, your prayers and your encouragement to my struggling heart. The last several months have been challenging to say the least. I am beyond thankful for Jesus who orchestrates with compassion and mercy. I truly feel free as Jason’s wife to love him and God with all my heart. The chains of insecurity are gone.

If you struggle with insecurity in your marriage and would like us to pray for you, we would be honored.

As far as our Action Jackson, we welcome any and all prayers from you. We believe God listens to His children when they pray in unity for something or someone.

We continue to ask God for complete healing because we believe He can, no matter what doctors on earth say.

If you are in the wait for a diagnosis or are struggling to have hope after a diagnosis, I invite you to listen to my live post. Go to https://Facebook.com/jdibble4Him and look on Thursday January 16th to find it. I pray you hear Jesus in the message.

Once I know my blogging and Facebook live schedule for 2020, I will share here and on social media. We are still scheduling medical tests, paying unanticipated medical bills … all part of continuing with abundant life. Prayerfully my husband and I will get to hike next week:)

May God bless you and keep you safe.

In Christ,

Julie