Marriage & Family: Marriage: Help & Healing
Helping couples grow their marriage through biblical principles
while living in the real world with real issues.
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Suffering Together
I'm not sure how long Jeramy and I sat in the hospital parking lot. It might have been fifteen minutes; it could have been forever. The bitter cold of Colorado winter wrapped its arms around our silver Jetta, scattering ice crystals on the windows. Maybe on a different night they would have been beautiful to me.
For me, any response to the world would have been a welcome relief. I hadn't been able ...
Related Topics: Marriage Struggles, Mental illness, pain, Suffering
Hope and Help for an Unexpected Pregnancy
Sherry stood by the bathroom sink, eyes locked on a pregnancy test stick. She closed her eyes tightly for one last prayer: Please, God, no! Her military husband would be leaving for the Middle East soon; her eldest daughter was in a wheelchair. Finally, when she looked, a double pink line glowed in the tiny window of the wand. Positive! She burst into tears.
Nearly three million women a year greet ...
Related Topics: Abortion, Child-rearing, Marriage, Difficulty in, Pregnancy
Twelve Steps to Change
"Hi, my name is Taylor* and I'm a grateful member of Al-Anon."
Once a week, I say those words. And after two years, I am still floored by that statement and by the truth behind it.
I dragged myself into Al-Anon after 10 years of trying to figure out my husband's drinking, after 13 years of a difficult marriage. A couples' counselor recommended Al-Anon moments after I almost hyperventilated from a temper ...
Related Topics: Addiction, Addictions, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Marriage, Difficult, Recovery
Just One of Those Days
I'm sure most women designate a day each week for annoying chores that build over time. Because my work schedule is flexible, my catch-all day is Tuesday. It's crammed with running to the post office, grabbing dog food at the pet store, stopping at the outlet shops, and my favorite, tackling the toilets.
I hate Tuesdays. Not because I do all the things I dislike, but because it's never a day that makes ...
Related Topics: Difficulty, forgiveness, Humor, Love
Till Bedtime Do We Part
The bed shook. My eyes popped open in the dark. I lay still, hopeful that I could fall back to sleep. Just as my lids closed, a quick jerk roused me again. Then a three-stage snore ripped through the silence. Exasperated, I threw back the covers and headed for the guest room.
Tempted to stomp across the hall, I tiptoed instead. Even though my husband's sounds and motion prevented a restful night for ...
Related Topics: Adjustment, Relaxation, Rest, Sleep
Raising Your Children's Children
Sarah* works in middle management with a national company. Charlie took early retirement to stay at home when it became apparent that they'd have to raise their daughter Abby's child, because Abby and her husband refuse to take responsibility for their own lives, much less that of their child.
Sarah and Charlie face an increasingly common circumstance. Four and a half million caregivers are raising ...
Related Topics: Advocate, Grandchildren, Grandparents
A True Anniversary Celebration
Last night for our anniversary Aaron and I went to Marché, a French restaurant that we used to go to years ago but hadn't visited in ages. Marché serves the best steak frites I've ever had, with perfect little cups of béarnaise and red wine sauce. The restaurant is part Moulin Rouge and part Alice in Wonderland, deep reds, blues, and golds, with umbrellas hanging from the ceiling ...
Related Topics: Achievement, Celebration, Challenges, Conflict, forgiveness
You Did What?
Marriage has a way of highlighting annoying habits. After the honeymoon most newlyweds unpack their clothes and find a six foot magnifying glass hiding in the closet.
My husband, Ron, and I were no different. From my dorm window I could watch Ron walk the path to pick me up for a date. I was proud of his tall strong farmer look. His cowboy boots didn't bother me at all. So we were both shocked when ...
Related Topics: Communication, Conflict, Headstrong
Finding Our Way
I pulled into our driveway that Valentine's Day to find the house dark. I walked into the kitchen and dropped my purse on a chair. I picked up the candy box I'd left tied with a red ribbon that morning when my husband, Wendell, walked into the room.
"Welcome home!" He gave me a quick hug and looked out the kitchen window. "Was the organ grinder's monkey on the front lawn when you came in?"
I stared ...
Related Topics: Addiction, Deliverance, Drugs, Trust
The Danger of Marriage Books
When you first become a parent, you notice the 4,300 ways your child could meet an untimely death. Every package of wipes, every jar of baby food, and all toys carry some kind of ominous warning label.
If you took all the warnings seriously, you'd put your child in a hyperbaric chamber and wait till they grow up.
But now with three children and one on the way, I'm a hardened skeptic when it comes to ...
Related Topics: Advice, Attitude, Communication, Humility
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