Surviving Grief, Strengthening Faith: A Marriage Redeemed by Love and Support
Lonely Roads…
Before they met, Jennifer and Michael walked lonely, difficult roads. Jennifer shouldered the responsibilities of raising four children as a single mom. Her youngest son, Josiah, was diagnosed with epilepsy and significant autism; her other three children are on the autism spectrum.
For Jennifer, the daily challenges of caregiving, combined with the emotional weight of parenting alone, often proved overwhelming. So when members of Jennifer’s church encouraged her to attend a Joni and Friends Family Retreat, she was touched by their care but declined the offer. The thought of navigating such an experience on her own with her children felt too daunting…
Navigating Grief
For Michael, grief added to the challenges of solo parenting a son with autism after losing his late wife to non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. When he and Jennifer crossed paths, they first developed a friendship rooted in shared experiences and mutual understanding. Over time, their connection blossomed into love, and they made the courageous decision to blend their families, adopt one another’s children, and build a life together.
But as they began a new chapter, tragedy struck Jennifer and Michael’s family again. Just one week into their marriage, their son Josiah passed away unexpectedly at age 17. The devastating loss gutted Jennifer and Michael and cast a shadow of deep grief over what should have been a joyful beginning for the newly married couple.
Seeking space to grieve and hoping to strengthen their marriage amid the pain, Michael and Jennifer decided to attend a Joni and Friends Marriage Getaway. They arrived carrying the weight of loss, fatigue, and spiritual malaise. As Jennifer says:
“After we lost Josiah, we gradually stopped praying together due to the excessive exhaustion of grieving… But while at Marriage Getaway, Michael and I renewed our commitment to begin praying together again.”
No Longer Feeling Alone
Surrounded by a trustworthy community of couples who understood their struggles, they found solace and encouragement. In contrast to the isolation they often felt in public, Michael and Jennifer experienced a deep sense of belonging. They met other couples navigating similar challenges—families living with disability, walking through grief, and striving to maintain strong marriages amid life’s storms. For the first time in a long time, they didn’t feel isolated.
“We no longer felt so alone. We realized there are many other couples facing the same trials. To feel understood gave us so much hope and strength,” says Jennifer.
Marriage Getaway offered more than just emotional support—it provided much-needed respite. Time away from their daily responsibilities allowed Michael and Jennifer to rest, reflect, and reconnect. The experience not only renewed their commitment to one another but also strengthened their faith and reminded them of God’s goodness amid suffering.
Looking to the Future with Hope
Michael, Jennifer, and their children, Ryan, Debbie, Makayla, and Amber, are now preparing for their very first Joni and Friends Family Retreat! What once seemed impossible to Jennifer as a single mother (coming to Family Retreat) has now become a reality for their blended family. They move forward with anticipation, knowing they are part of a larger community that understands and supports them.
“The greatest impact of Joni and Friends to us is that there is an organization out there that understands what we’re going through and is committed to being there and helping us every step of the way in our journey with disability.”
Jennifer
Through grief, love, and faith, Michael and Jennifer have found strength—not only in each other, but in a community that walks beside them. Most of all, they have witnessed firsthand how God brings beauty from ashes, restoring joy in and through times of sorrow.
“… I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.”
Jeremiah 31:13
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