Her tears reflected her broken heart and unconditional love for her children. She deeply desired to raise godly children, but felt caught in a tug of war with all of the parenting information filling the airwaves. Seeing the current attitude and behavior of her children, she knew something needed to change. After a firm hug and a napkin to dry ...
Marriage
When You Can’t Love Your Spouse
After reading last week's blog post (3 Points to Thrive in Motherhood), several of you took a moment to share with me what you wish you had known and how you have grown through the mistakes you made. But it was in reading an email from Annalisa that I knew God was asking me to follow up the post will a little more encouragement. Point #2 ...
Are You Saving Energy for Your Spouse?
Frequently on this blog, I encourage you to set aside daily time for God. In this time God will change your life. But friends, there is a second relationship that the enemy desires to "steal, kill, and destroy" (John 10:10). That relationship is with your spouse. For those of you who work with children or stay-at-home with your own, you ...
Trying to Be Your Spouse’s Holy Spirit?
Looking at the picture above, I can't help but think back to the thoughts I had on our wedding day almost 20 years ago. I chuckle as I remember what I envisioned marriage would be. Let's just say that my thoughts were more than slightly off the spectrum of reality. While each year has gotten sweeter, marriage is hard work! Bringing two ...
4 Tips to Divorce-Proof Your Marriage
Several marriages around me are falling apart. The appearance of good, solid, Christian marriages are crumbling. And, I am heartbroken for these families. Especially the kiddos who are innocently affected. The enemy is attacking Christian families at the core. Because no one is immune, my husband and I have been discussing with our Bible ...
When Marriage Isn’t Meeting Your Expectations: 3 Tips to Change It
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 ...
It’s Time We Take a Look in the Mirror {What the Duggar Family Has Taught Me}
Image Source Permission Given - Jazza When you live in Arkansas, the scandal of a particular Christian family is in front of you at every turn. We could go on for hours with should of's and could of's. Some pointing the finger at the Duggar parents. Others hurling shame and insults at Josh. But I don't want to go there. Instead I want to look ...
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 ...
Ideas to Grow Together in Love
In the last post, I shared key quotes from Gary Thomas' book A Lifelong Love: What If Marriage Is about More Than Just Staying Together? from the spiritual dimension of marriage. Today I will share quotes from the last two legs of the marriage stool - Growing Together and The Journey Toward Love. Again, I encourage you to choose ...
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 ...