I have contemplated writing this post for a week. Not sure what to say to offer help for your marriage when we are struggling with our own dark valley. When we asked for your prayers in our last post we had no idea how much those prayers would be what would sustain us. Each step on this unfamiliar path has been painful, uncertain and dark.
But God!
He knows where He is leading us. It isn’t around the darkness, but through the darkness where we are discovering how precious the promise is that says,
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV
What a great God who promises to walk with us through the valley of the shadow of death. Therefore we will fear no evil, not even the evil caused by this horrific disease called PANDAS.
But God!
I have seen God cause Norah to do things she was vehemently refusing to do. Every time she would refuse, I would send out a prayer alarm to help her do what she couldn’t do in her own strength. Every.time.it.worked!
How I wanted God to remove us from this valley. But instead He wanted to show us His faithfulness in the darkness. I couldn’t see Him. I couldn’t feel His presence. I couldn’t think long enough to pray effectively, or so I thought. Oftentimes the best prayers are those whispered in desperation, “Please God, help!”
This is by far the hardest thing we have walked through in our marriage. Our communication has been on misfire more than we like. Our emotions as well as our faith have been stretched thin. There has been no time to connect on any level.
But God!
He is teaching us that we can’t rely on our own strength to sustain us. No matter how well we may be doing in our marriage, there are some crosses we have to bear that will take us to the end of our selves. And it is here that we discover our greatest need has been met. Christ in us, our hope of glory.
What dark valley are you walking through today? It may be in your marriage or in the circumstances of your life. Whatever the valley, God is there walking with you. He isn’t a bystander watching and waiting for us to prove our abilities. No, He knows we are dust, yet he loves us. He sent His Son to die for us and rise again in victory so that no dark valley could ever separate us from Him.
Tom and I have felt the power of the Holy Spirit rise up in us to be there and say things to Norah that needed to be done or said. He has been faithful through it all. Even in our lack of connecting as husband and wife, He has been connecting with us individually giving us the strength to go beyond our own ability.
We aren’t through it yet, though we are home. We are tired. We have much to process and talk through. Norah continues to fight each day for normal, something we have all taken for granted. But she is out of the downward spiral and for this we are grateful!
But God!
He reminds us again of these precious promises…
“But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” – Lamentations 3:21-24 ESV
How can we pray for you today? Please feel free to share your requests in the comments. We know that God is able and ready to hear our cries and answer from Heaven. We only must ask!
The Romantic Vineyard 
Deep within the darkest hours,
lost among the halls of hate,
where underfoot crushed flowers
seem harbinger to careless fate,
there is a quiet steady light
that burns within the grieving heart,
a promise of continued fight
and that we are not set apart.
Fell circumstance does not alter;
demons laugh, just like before,
but now the brave do not falter
and ahead there is a golden door.
We must cross through this vale of tears
to leave it behind, with all our fears.
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I understand now more than ever, Andrew!
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Dear Debi & Tom ~
We are so sorry that you have been walking through the dark valley of PANDAS. We have walked through the dark valley of OCD with our oldest son, so we understand the magnitude of what you are walking through. Absolutely heart-wrenching, terrifying, all-consuming. There were many, many days, and even hours, that we were fully aware that we made it through ONLY by God’s grace. We prayed countless prayers, “God, please help!” We are 4 years out now, and our son is well. Although he still has a ‘bad’ day once in a while, it’s just that – a day. He lives a normal life.
Most of all, I wanted to leave a comment here (as a long-time follower, but not really a commenter) to let you know that I truly understand and I’ll be praying for you guys and your family — especially Norah. If there is any way I can encourage you, support you, or specific things I can pray for, please let me know. I wish I could just wrap my arms around you and give you a hug. 💕🙏🏻
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Thank you, Christine. We are taking it one hour, one day at a time hoping the IVIG treatments will soon kick in and Norah will be able to return to her normal. Our daughter has three other younger children as well as health issues herself. This makes it all so painful to watch. But God! Those are the two words that make all the difference. Our hope is in Him and His faithfulness.
I’m so glad you took the time to comment. You give us hope that this will get better.
Blessings,
Debi
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Praying for all y’all.
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