Years ago, when I was still single, I noticed that something weird happened as my friends got married: An invisible wedge developed between us and our friendships were tested. The same thing happened when they began having children and I remained childless. I’ve heard other women share about similar experiences, so this seems to be … [Read more...] about Maintaining Friendships Across Life Stages
handling differences
Marriage Check-In Questions
As changes occur in your life, there is often a decrease in the amount of time and energy you have to invest in your marriage. My husband and I are seeing this firsthand as we adjust to parenthood. We’ve decided to be intentional about remaining connected during this busy season of our life. While on our annual goal planning retreat, we … [Read more...] about Marriage Check-In Questions
Taking Interest in the Things That Interest Your Husband
My husband is into a lot of things that just don’t hold my interest—cars, yard projects, sci-fi movies, soccer, etc. Though it might be easiest to encourage him to pursue these on his own or to ignore them and try to get him into things that interest me, I’ve been making an effort to learn about his interests and engage in activities related … [Read more...] about Taking Interest in the Things That Interest Your Husband
Praying for Our Government Leaders
When we look beyond the picnics, parades, and fireworks that characterize our Independence Day celebrations, we remember that the holiday commemorates our nation’s birth. This commemoration serves as a reminder to me to pray for our government leaders. This is a wise thing to do because the God we serve is all-powerful and nothing … [Read more...] about Praying for Our Government Leaders
Overcoming Marital Conflicts That Are Common During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is one of the most wondrous times in a couple’s relationship. Paradoxically, it can be a time riddled with challenges and unique conflicts. My husband and I know from our experience and from what other couples have shared with us that there are some topics that almost inevitably cause some degree of conflict during … [Read more...] about Overcoming Marital Conflicts That Are Common During Pregnancy
Talking About Money with Your Spouse
Whether you’ve been married 5 years or 50 years, the activities of daily life necessitate that you and your spouse make decisions about money. These decisions are often preceded (or followed, in some cases) by tense and unpleasant discussions. My husband and I have similar views on money and share common goals (this is one of the … [Read more...] about Talking About Money with Your Spouse
Why Not to Complain About Husbands Like They Are All the Same
I’ve long observed the tendency of married women to commiserate with one another by sitting around and complaining about their husbands as though the men all have the same weaknesses and flaws. Whether this is done in a public venue like Facebook or a private venue like a quiet conversation in the hallway at church, I’ve come to believe … [Read more...] about Why Not to Complain About Husbands Like They Are All the Same
The Sounds in a Home with a God-Honoring Aura (Part 1)
The sounds in a home contribute significantly to its aura—the overall quality it emits. As I discussed two weeks ago, I’m seeking to create a home that has a God-honoring aura. Voices are one of the predominant sounds in most homes. Thankfully, the Bible has a lot to say about communication. If we follow the principles set forth in … [Read more...] about The Sounds in a Home with a God-Honoring Aura (Part 1)
