We were in a rough season. A valley of sorts. We weren't seeing eye-to-eye and every word said was being twisted and doused with lies. Even the best of marriages go through valleys where you simply want to run and hide for a few because it feels broken and hopeless to change. Fingers are being pointed and the blame thermometer is ...
Search Results for: marriage
Letting Go of the Illusions of Marriage
I recently ran across a quote by psychologist Georgia Shaffer that made me stop and think. In our relationships, we often hold tightly to the illusion that if we say this or do that, our spouse will suddenly wake, see the error of their ways and change. What usually happens, however, is we end up disappointed, frustrated, and even ...
The Key to a Happy Marriage
A lifelong love. In a world of divorce and dysfunctional marriages, doesn't that sound wonderful? I deeply desire to have a lifelong love with my husband. But, how do I get there? The answer may surprise you. It did me. In his book A Lifelong Love: What If Marriage Is about More Than Just Staying Together?, Gary ...
Not-Your-Typical-Marriage-Book Giveaway & Review
I have read quite a few marriage books in my 16 years of marriage. While many have been for blog reviews, some have been because they were suggested to me or covered topics we was needing wisdom in. But even in the vast array of them, I have never read a marriage book like the one in which I am about to share with you. This books takes the ideas ...
Wisdom on Marriage According to Ruth Graham
Trying to Be Your Husband's Holy Spirit ...
10 Tips for a Successful Marriage: Are You Doing What You Can?
This year I am celebrating huge milestones with two of my favorite couples. One, my parents. The other, our neighbors who have become like parents to us and grandparents to our kiddos. Both have done something that many have dreamed of, but few will accomplish. Both have made love "more about an act than a ...
Letting Go of Fear in Parenting {Transcript #76}
This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity. Letting Go as Kids Grow Up Heidi Franz, Host: 00:00 Melanie, I know you can relate to this. When my kids were little, I constantly counted "one, two, three, four." I needed to see all my chickadees. I wanted to make sure that they were safe, they were happy, they were good, nobody was ...
When It Doesn’t Go as Planned
About a year ago, Melanie and I recorded a podcast episode we didn’t know would be our last for quite some time. The break wasn’t planned, but life required it. 2025 brought confusion, heartbreak, grief, and parenting decisions that didn’t come with clear answers. Today, I want to share why that pause happened and what God has been teaching us ...
When It Doesn’t Go as Planned {Transcript #73}
This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity. Heidi, Host: 00:00 Melanie, I never dreamed that about a year ago when we podcast that that would be our last one for about 12 months. And that's because neither one of us saw what was gonna happen. We didn't, we had no idea. The very different stories. We both have experienced confusion, ...
Finding Joy When Gratitude Feels Hard
November is often called the month of gratitude, but I’ll be honest—there have been years when I didn’t feel thankful at all. Whether it was health challenges, parenting struggles, marriage stress, or financial worries, the weight of life can make November feel more annoying than inspiring. Grumpiness can sneak in so easily. When we’re tired, ...