Everyone has a favorite love story.

Mine is my parents.

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Not because their story or love has been perfect, but because God is even in the most imperfect of situations.

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This December, Jill and Richard Strahan will celebrate 30 years of marriage. 30 years since they heard they words ‘In sickness and in health.’ 30 years since they said I DO.

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And let me tell you—I am so honored to be the daughter that has gotten to see their commitment to the vows they made remain in moments where the enemy sought to destroy with feelings of grief, discouragement, and confusion. My brother and I could always depend that my family would holdfast to the journey in which the Lord called us. And that’s a testament to my parent’s faith. I remember one Sunday after a super trying week for our family, we were at church in Alabama. The lyrics during worship were, ‘God you’re so good’ and I looked over at my dad— hands raised to a good God. A God he could have blamed for allowing his body to not work like we all wished, but instead his life has been a broken offering of worship.

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Parkinson’s Disease has not defined my parents marriage, but it has certainly refined it. And the four of us just recently looked at each other and thanked God for how he’s used my dad’s diagnosis.

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In that moment of gratitude, I reflected and asked my parents what they wanted for their anniversary. The answers were ‘to get away’ and ‘maybe a cruise.’ I began to think about all the people who have had their faith encouraged because of my parents devotion to the Lord and each other— and I wanted to ask you to help me bless them with a fun, relaxing vacation to celebrate their 30 years of marriage, 24 of which included the inconsistencies and heaviness of my dad’s diagnosis. Help me remind a couple who has endured medical and ministry stress, yet remained faithful to the Lord in their calling and marriage. Help me remind my parents that even though their marriage has endured some unimaginably difficult moments— their story still carries the blessings and joy of the Lord