Marriage and Relationships

Rick and Julie Biesiadecki’s marriage story is one of heartbreak, healing, and hope—a powerful testimony to God’s redemptive grace.

When they first met at Liberty University, it seemed like a classic love story in the making. But behind the scenes, both carried heavy baggage. Rick came from a broken home—his parents divorced, and his mother was married eight times. Julie grew up in a beautiful Appalachian setting but experienced a painful childhood, including abuse and emotional wounds that went unhealed. Though both knew Jesus, they lacked the discipleship and tools to build a strong, healthy marriage.

They married with high hopes, picturing a good life together. But real life came fast—miscommunication, emotional wounds, unmet expectations, and unresolved pain. By 2014, after 23 years of marriage, they stood at the brink of divorce. But God was not done.

That Christmas, Julie gave Jesus a bold gift: a commitment to learn to love her husband passionately. They decided to read one marriage book each month in 2015 and meet with other two other couples for support. It wasn’t easy—early on, every conversation seemed to end in a fight—but slowly, God began peeling back years of pain, layer by layer.

They learned three powerful lessons: the importance of gaining knowledge (understanding male/female differences), growing in skills (communication, emotional honesty), and cultivating emotional and spiritual health (dealing with past wounds/trauma and renewing their minds with Scripture).

Over time, the bitterness gave way to tenderness. Anger gave way to joy. Today, they share their story to bring hope to other couples, reminding us all that God can redeem even the most broken relationships.

Their message is simple but profound: Don’t settle for just surviving marriage—let Christ help you thrive in it. There is hope. You are not alone.