Dear readers,

I want to take a moment to share with you the story of my husband, and the incredible journey that he has been on over the past few years. It has been a difficult and challenging road, filled with more than its fair share of storms and obstacles. But through it all, my husband has shown a strength and resilience that fills me with an overwhelming sense of pride and admiration for him.

Five years ago, my husband was diagnosed with Fanconi Anemia, a rare genetic disorder that affects the body’s ability to produce new blood cells. This diagnosis was followed by the devastating news that he had also developed Acute Leukemia. The road ahead was long and difficult, marked by grueling treatments, a bone marrow transplant, and years of healing.

And yet, through it all, my husband never gave up. He never lost sight of his goals, or his determination to overcome whatever obstacles came his way. He fought his illness with courage and grace, and never once wavered in his faith in God or his hope for the future. And because of that he is now going stronger and happier today than I have seen him in quite a while.

And as I reflect on my husband’s journey, I am reminded of something that the apostle Paul wrote in the Bible. In his letter to the Corinthians, he wrote, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24). My husband has run this race with everything he has, and he has done so in such a way as to get the prize – not just the prize of beating his illness, but the prize of living a life filled with purpose, passion, and love. And it is feeling so good to have him whole again.

Today, I am so proud of my husband. I am proud of the way that he has faced his struggles with courage and determination. I am proud of the way that he has never given up, even when the road ahead seemed impossibly long and difficult. And I am proud of the person that he is – kind, compassionate, and full of love.

To anyone out there who may be going through a difficult time, I want you to know that you are not alone. There is hope, there is healing, found in Jesus Christ today. There is also a community of people who want to love you and support you in a local church. And know that as you face your own challenges, you too can run this race in such a way as to get the prize.

With love and admiration,

Amanda Sherrell