30. The Beauty of Sacrifice: What a Poolside Moment Taught Us About Love

Sometimes, the most powerful lessons come not from a sermon or a book, but from a simple moment of quiet observation. In this heartfelt episode of Redesign Your Marriage, Joe and Shelby share a story that stopped them in their tracks—a father carrying his disabled teenage son into a hotel pool, and the sacrificial love that radiated from that moment.

This episode is more than a touching story—it's a call to remember the beauty of serving one another in marriage, parenting, and life. It’s about choosing unity over comfort and choosing sacrifice when love calls for it.

• A powerful story from a recent family trip that reminded Joe and Shelby of what love really looks like
• How witnessing quiet, sacrificial love challenged them to reexamine their own marriage
• Reflections on the unseen struggles couples carry—and how God meets us there
• Encouragement for anyone navigating hardship, caregiving, or emotional exhaustion

1. Love Gets Uncomfortable: Real love shows up, even when it's inconvenient.
2. Unity is a Superpower: In moments of pressure, your greatest strength is facing it together.
3. God Sees It All: Every hidden act of sacrifice is seen by God—and it builds your legacy.

Your Challenge This Week: Pick one small act of sacrificial love and do it joyfully—whether that’s helping your spouse with something unasked, staying up late to talk with your teen, or simply choosing patience when you’re tired. These small moments build the foundation of a lasting, meaningful legacy.

Loved this episode? Share it with a friend who needs encouragement. Subscribe and leave a review to help more couples hear the truth: the best marriages are built in the quiet, unseen, sacrificial moments.

For coaching or more marriage encouragement, visit redesignyourmarriage.com.

Connect with us and book a free coaching call:

• Website: http://redesignyourmarriage.com
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• Instagram: @‌redesign_your_marriage
• Instagram: @_shelby_seeley

Quick Episode Summary: 

• 0:00 The moment that sparked this episode: a father carrying his teenage son
• 3:00 How marriage vows become real in the unseen, sacrificial moments
• 5:30 Reflecting on their own tragedies and how they’ve responded in unity—and in conflict
• 10:00 The power of small, unseen sacrifices in family life
• 15:00 How pride, burnout, and lack of rest can keep couples disconnected
• 18:00 A challenge to love sacrificially this week