Nick Vujicic and Wife Tell of Finding 'Love Without Limits' in New Book (Part 1)
Correction Appended
Nick Vujicic, the Christian motivational speaker known as the "limbless evangelist," tells of his journey to finding true love in the new book, Love Without Limits, and the challenges he and his wife, Kanae have faced on their journey to marriage, and beyond.
Being born with tetra-amelia syndrome (without limbs), since his youth Nick had been plagued with the fear that "no woman would ever love me or want to marry me," the Australian-born Serbian evangelist writes in Love With Limbs: A Remarkable Story of True Love Conquering All. "I had many doubts about my fitness as both a husband and a father."
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But, as many of Nick's supporters and admirers know, he had nothing to worry about.
In 2010, Nick and Kanae met and in less than two years, were married. Then, in February 2013, Kanae gave birth to Kiyoshi James Vujicic, who shares his grandfather's first name (on his mother's side).
Love Without Limits, available Nov. 18, is presented in 15 chapters and covers much of the areas one might expect for a book on dating and relationships or marriage. There are chapters in which Nick and Kanae cover the usual, but personalized topics of looking for love, falling in love and so forth. And the pair don't shy away from the subject of sex, presented in chapter nine, "The Joys of Abstinence Before Marriage and Sex After Marriage."
Nick, who turns 32 in December, writes that once he and Kanae knew they were headed toward marriage, he felt compelled to "assure her that my physical imperfections did not include anything that would prohibit or interfere with our ability to have sex..."
He adds, "She hadn't asked, but I wanted to dispel any questions or doubts she might have had. Believe me, I've been dealing with being asked such questions from childhood to adulthood. I've been asked every sort of invasive personal question you might imagine—and some you'd never think of, I assure you."
In fact, as Nick goes on to recall, during a 2012 live television appearance in Dallas, a female reporter asked him how it was that he and his wife were able to make a baby. In a video clip of the interview, no longer available online, the reporter seems genuinely curious how Nick, born with no arms or legs, could become a father.
"I was more than a little flustered by her question. I tried to put her off by saying, 'Well, most people know you don't need arms and legs to have a child,'" shares Nick..
"That didn't seem to deter her. She asked again, saying people were curious as to how I could become a father. At that point, I realized she was serious. I could have replied in a way that put her down for a going too far into our personal life with her inquiries. Instead, I went for humor."
What was the response that put an end to the invasive questions?
"I said, 'Actually, I hear that legs sometimes just get in the way!" Believe me, that put a stop to her personal questions," writes Nick.
The evangelist, who later joked about the above exchange on social media, wraps up "The Joys of Abstinence Before Marriage and Sex After Marriage" chapter with another anecdote about how Kanae responded to a TV journalist with a similar question.
Nick and Kanae, recently involved in a medical emergency with 1-year-old Kiyoshi, sent along via their publisher WaterBrook Press several responses to anticipated questions about Love Without Limits. Below is an excerpt of what they shared.
Nick, were worried that you would never find a woman who could love you. How did those insecurities affect your relationship with Kanae? How did she help you overcome those doubts?
All my insecurities were gone out the window as I saw how Kanae looked at me, held me and how we both felt about each other. There is nothing better than a reciprocated love that's unconditional. After a relationship that did not move onward, I desired to have a bride whose family would welcome me into their family and hearts. The biggest test for us during our courting period was when I went through a personal financial crisis. Seeing Kanae's commitment to stand by my side no matter what was the most amazing discovery of how deep her love was for me. She looks at me, and I can tell she doesn't see limbless Nick. Shshsh :)
How was God working to prepare you for each other before you even met?
We both had relationships that had struggles and heart aches. With every season of our lives, we look back and see that those painful times helped us discover more about ourselves and helped us focus more on what we should be looking for in a future spouse. The waiting of 'the one' was extremely difficult at times, but we both say that we wouldn't have changed a thing as it has truly helped us become who we are today. We both know we have a long road ahead and marriage is something that daily tests you and blesses you at the same time. It's a journey, life…..I just can't imagine mine without her now.
What encouragement would you give to readers who have given up on finding love?
I honestly didn't think miracles could ever come from my broken pieces, and I was disabled in fear that my dreams would always remain as dreams. Don't give up on you. Don't give up on God. Don't give up on love. All I can say is that even if Kanae came in my 50's, 60's or 70's, whatever time we'd have together would feel like a lifetime of joy and abundance of bliss. She truly is more than I could have ever have imagined. Give some slack, take another breath, one day at a time, keep true to yourself and just at the right time they will come.
Nick Vujicic has authored several books, with his 2012 book, Unstoppable: The Incredible Power of Faith in Action, becoming an international best seller. The evangelist, who has spoken at schools, before world dignitaries, and megachurches, has inspired admirers all around the world due to his powerful testimony of finding hope in Jesus Christ. Learn more about Nick's ministry online: www.lifewithoutlimbs.org.
Read an excerpt of Love Without Limits by clicking here.
Correction: Nov. 28, 2014
An article on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014, reported that Nick and Kanae Vujicic met in 2008. The Vujicics met in 2010.
