Laura Story and her husband Martin Elvington have often told people that their marriage went from the honeymoon straight to the E.R.! That wasn’t just a metaphor.
Barely two years into their lives together, they thought the world was open to them. They could do anything they wanted to do, and they were happily anticipating all that God may have had in store.
Within a few months of a big move to Atlanta for Martin to attend grad school, he began experiencing physical symptoms that went undiagnosed for nearly a year. Martin would fall asleep in class or be a little forgetful sometimes. At first, he dismissed it all as “studying too hard.” But when the symptoms persisted, Laura and Martin went in for tests and were told that Martin had a brain tumor.
“We felt like we had just picked out our china as newlyweds, and here we were sitting with a neurosurgeon and listening to him explain the risks associated with the complicated surgery Martin needed to survive.” He faced the possibility of complete amnesia or even death.
Martin survived, but he and Laura have discovered what it means to live according to God’s grace. After several years of some of his disabilities not improving, they had to come to terms with the reality that their challenges weren’t a detour, but the road itself.
God invites all of us to join Him in His plans for us. We each have an important role to play. And for that to happen, we usually have to be brought to a place of trust and surrender, where we are willing to echo Jesus Himself: “Nevertheless, not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
Despite our difficulties, God is faithful in the midst of our story. Whether it’s a health issue like Laura and Martin have encountered, financial trouble, or a prodigal child, we all face challenges where God doesn’t answer our prayers the way that we thought He would or should. We all struggle with disappointment in our walk of faith.
Laura and Martin have a lot they can teach us about how to embrace God’s will in the midst of life-altering circumstances and to trust Him when things aren’t perfect. They’ll be with us on our program today and tomorrow to share how what began as a tragedy has become an opportunity for them to take a positive step forward in their faith and to believe He is good even when they were in a season of life where it didn’t feel like it.
Laura Story is the senior worship leader at Perimeter Church and a Christian music artist known for such worship songs as “Mighty to Save,” “Indescribable,” and “Blessings.” She and her husband, Martin, will share their story on “Finding Unexpected Blessings in Marriage.” (Check it out on your local radio station, online, or on our free phone app.) They’ve also written about the challenges they’ve overcome in their book, “When God Doesn’t Fix It.”
You’ll also hear an update on Martin’s health. Join us.
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Barry Kolanowski says
-I had a stroke June 2021, later that year I was then terminated from my job. But nothing can separate me from the love of God. I wrote about my journey and bought yours
HollyFOTF says
-Thank you for your message in response to Laura and Martin’s story, Barry. We’re very sorry to hear about the difficulties you faced last year. Be assured we’re praying for you, asking God to continue to heal you and provide for your needs. As part of our ministry here at Focus on the Family, we have a staff of pastoral counselors available to offer reassurance, answer questions, and pray with you. We’d like to invite you to call one of them at your convenience. Just call 800-232-6459 between 6:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M. (MT), Mon – Fri. The Family Help Center staff member who answers the phone will arrange for a pastoral counselor to call you back. There’s no cost for this — we just want to come alongside you in any way we can. We hope to hear from you soon, friend.
Alexus stein says
-i love the song blessings!!!!!!!!!