18 Months Later: A Journey I Never Thought I’d Take
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
— Philippians 4:13
Eighteen months ago, if you had told me that Randy and I would be sitting here sober, I probably wouldn’t have believed you.
The truth is, the last eighteen months have not been easy. In many ways, they have been some of the hardest months of our lives. We’ve faced medical emergencies, life-altering diagnoses, mental health struggles, financial stress, uncertainty, and more challenges than I can count.
Yet here we are.
18 Months Sober.
When people think about recovery, they often imagine life suddenly becoming easier. That wasn’t our experience. Life kept happening. Problems didn’t disappear. New challenges appeared when we least expected them. There were days when fear knocked loudly on our door. There were days when exhaustion seemed to win. There were days when we simply didn’t know what tomorrow would look like.
But every day we made the same choice.
One day at a time.
One challenge at a time.
One prayer at a time.
Looking back, I realize something important. Sobriety wasn’t just about giving something up. It was about learning to trust God in a way I never had before. It was about facing life as it truly was instead of trying to escape it. It was about discovering that God’s strength is often most visible when our own strength runs out.
There were moments when I didn’t think I could carry the weight of everything happening around us. Yet somehow, God always provided enough grace for that day. Not always enough for next week. Not always enough for next month. But enough for that day.
And then He did it again the next day.
And the next.
And the next.
Today, I am incredibly proud of both of us. Not because we are perfect. Not because the journey has been easy. But because we kept going.
Most of all, I am grateful to God.
There were days when we didn’t know how we would make it through. There were days when the road ahead looked impossible. Yet He carried us every step of the way.
Eighteen months later, my testimony is simple:
God is faithful.
Even in the struggle.
Even in the uncertainty.
Even when life hurts.
And especially when we choose to keep walking forward.
Faith is where I stand. Grace is how I got here.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for carrying us through the hard days when we didn’t think we could take another step. Thank You for Your grace, Your strength, and Your faithfulness. Help us continue to trust You one day at a time. Amen.
