When My Kingdom Babe Needed Me to Stand Guard

There are moments in marriage that forever change you.

For me, that moment came on July 12th.

We had just returned from one of the sweetest vacations with our family. Our plane landed around 6:30 that morning, and after the drive home, we were exhausted but overflowing with gratitude. We had laughed, rested, and made memories we’ll treasure forever.

Then, in an instant, everything changed.

Not long after we got home, my kingdom babe, Roy Paul, began having chest pains.

We are incredibly blessed to have EMTs who live in our neighborhood, so we went straight to them. Within minutes, they confirmed what no wife ever wants to hear.

“He’s having a full-fledged heart attack.”

They immediately called CareFlight, and within 14 minutes, my husband was in the air on his way to the hospital.

I climbed into my vehicle and drove with one purpose, to get to my man.

Before I arrived, the cardiologist called. He explained the severity of the situation, what had to happen immediately, and then he let me speak with Roy Paul before ending the call.

I’ll never forget those moments.

Fear knocked loudly at the door of my heart.

But faith answered.

Right there, in the middle of uncertainty, I knew exactly what I needed to do.

I had to unsheathe my warrior sword.

Not a sword of panic.

Not a sword of despair.

The Sword of the Spirit.

I stood in faith, agreeing with God’s promises and trusting Him completely for Roy Paul’s healing. I began declaring Scripture over his life instead of giving fear a voice.

Then I called our prayer warriors.

Family.

Our church family.

Friends.

Every person I knew who knew how to get ahold of Heaven.

I asked them to stand in the gap with me for my kingdom babe.

Within the next twenty-four hours, Roy Paul underwent two procedures to place stents. Just when we thought we were through the hardest part, he developed a mild case of pneumonia a few days later.

But God never left us.

Not for one second.

Five days later, we walked out of that hospital together.

My husband was coming home.

As I’ve reflected on those days, I’ve realized the Lord wasn’t just healing my husband’s heart, He was reminding me of something every wife needs to know.

There are seasons in marriage when your husband is the one carrying the shield.

And there are seasons when God quietly whispers to the wife…

“Stand guard.”

Not because your husband has failed.

Not because you’re taking over.

Not because God has changed His design for marriage.

But because covenant means we never leave each other exposed on the battlefield.

I’ve only had to do this a couple of times in our marriage.

Normally, my husband is the one covering our family, leading us with strength, wisdom, and unwavering faith. He is our protector, our shepherd, and the spiritual leader of our home.

But even the strongest warriors become weary.

Even mighty men have moments when they need someone to hold up their arms.

Moses had Aaron and Hur.

David had mighty men.

And sometimes…

A husband needs a wife who knows how to fight from her knees.

Ladies, hear me…

Our role is not to compete with our husbands.

It is not to diminish their leadership.

It is not to become the head of our homes.

Our role is to become the fiercest ally our husbands have this side of Heaven.

To know when to pray instead of panic.

To speak life instead of fear.

To remind them who God says they are when the enemy is trying to convince them otherwise.

To protect their hearts from discouragement.

To cover them in prayer.

To believe for them when they’re too weak to believe for themselves.

And when their strength returns…

We don’t cling to the sword.

We gladly place it back where it belongs.

Because our joy isn’t found in leading.

Our joy is found in watching the man God called rise again with renewed strength.

That’s what covenant love does.

It says, “I’ve got your back until you’re strong enough to carry the shield again.”

I count it one of the greatest honors of my life to be Roy Paul’s wife.

To love him.

To respect him.

To pray over him.

To guard his back.

To believe in God’s promises over his life.

Because I know without question that if the battle had been mine instead of his…

My kingdom babe would have stood just as fiercely for me.

To every wife reading this…

Your prayers matter.

Your faith matters.

Your words matter.

Never underestimate what God can do through a woman who refuses to surrender her husband to fear.

Fight for your marriage.

Fight for your husband.

Fight for your family.

Not with anger.

Not with control.

But with the Word of God, unwavering faith, and relentless prayer.

There will be moments when your husband needs you to quietly stand watch while he heals.

When that day comes…Unsheathe your sword. Stand in the gap. Trust the Lord. And never forget.

The greatest battles are often won by women the world never sees, but Heaven never overlooks.

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” — Exodus 14:14

To everyone who prayed for Roy Paul, brought meals, sent texts, called, encouraged us, and lifted our family before the Lord…

Thank you. 

You helped hold up our arms.

And we will never forget it.

All glory belongs to our faithful Father, the One who heals, restores, strengthens, and proves, time and again, that He is still writing miracles.

We love you,

Tricia