Last night was rough. We got in bed late, and I had to get up and nurse a sick baby so many times I lost count. We were already exhausted after a 12-hour trip yesterday driving our four small kids from Nashville to Charlotte—with delays for van trouble, road construction, and a couple wrecks. It’s a good thing we left early, or we wouldn’t have made it to our own beds. Normally, I do all I can to protect my husband’s sleep. Since he’s an introvert, quality rest is important to his general well-being, and he’s usually the one to ferry kids to school in the morning before work. When he’s rested, he can cover for me to get a […]
The Mighty Oak
There lives a mighty oak Next to our crooked drive; Its trunk is tall, its limbs are thick, Its base is firm and wide. Though once its mighty pow’r Was bound into a seed, I now behold a tow’ring strength, A deeper life decreed. Strong roots spread out beneath And break the hard, hard ground While lofty branches high above Speak truth without a sound. It’s been here many years. I know not when ‘twas planted. At least a few gen’rations now Have taken it for granted. It’s lived through drought and flood; through crash and slump it grew. ‘Survived the ‘cane of ‘89 And ice storm of ‘02. I pass this oak each morn While on my way to […]
Intentionally Awesome Date Night: Personality
It’s time for our FREE Intentionally Awesome Date Night resource of the week! We’re all unique–and our uniqueness can cause varying degrees of compatibility or friction with the people around us. This is no less true in marriage. Understanding personality types can be a bridge in conflict and help us to be more patient with one another. This week you and your spouse will take a free personality test, then our worksheet will guide your conversation as you discover more about each other’s quirks and gifts. Understand more about the person you love! Click this button for your FREE pdf workbook! Personality Come to a better understanding of yourself and each other–and strengthen your marriage in the process. Happy […]
The Sickness
The natural light is bright outside the vision clinic. Birds are singing and a raw wind ruffles my hair. As we pass a holly bush, my son asks if the berries are edible. I answer his question in the warmth of the sun, then open the double swinging doors that lead to the lobby. My eyes adjust to the florescent light in the dim waiting room. The assistant immediately takes my son back while I survey the room for a suitable seat. The corners are taken; the row along the back is full. The only remaining option is poor, but adequate: a fake leather arm chair in the center of the space. The room is quiet with tapping and shuffling […]
Intentionally Awesome Date Night: 10-10
Yes, ladies and gentlemen! It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for… Here’s our FREE Intentionally Awesome Date Night resource of the week! What would you do if you had $10 million and 10 years to live? How would your spouse answer that question? It’s time to dream! Today’s worksheet guides your conversation as you dive into this fun scenario with your spouse. Click this button for your FREE pdf worksheet! 10-10 This may be a fictional scenario, but it reveals a lot about your values and priorities. Find out what energizes your marriage! Happy Dating! In case you missed it, you may want to go back and check out our original series of posts on […]
Intentionally Awesome Date Night: 25 Things
Pull out the candles and put the kids to bed early. It’s time for our FREE Intentionally Awesome Date Night resource of the week! The purpose of date night is to connect and build toward a stronger marriage. While this exercise may not appear on the surface to be a marriage-building exercise, it brings perspective in a way that can protect your relationship during moments of temptation. Today’s workbook is called 25Things. What would it cost you if you were unfaithful to your spouse? If you’ve never given it much thought, maybe you should. Your list might surprise you. Click this button for your FREE pdf workbook! 25 Things Count the cost together and reaffirm your commitment to each […]
Intentionally Awesome Date Night: Urgent/Important
I know you’ve been waiting on the edge of your seat! It’s time for our FREE Intentionally Awesome Date Night resource of the week! Today’s workbook is about Important Things. We are daily bombarded by urgent things. Some of these things are important; others are not. When we attend only to urgent things, important things can fall to the wayside. What happens to the important things that never become urgent? You decide. Click this button for your FREE pdf workbook! Urgent/Important Get ready to stop putting out fires so you can live more intentionally. Happy Dating! In case you missed it, you may want to go back and check out our series of posts on How […]
Intentionally Awesome Date Night: Expectations
Hello, friends! It’s time for our FREE Intentionally Awesome Date Night resource of the week! Today’s workbook is about expectations. We all have expectations that are logical and reasonable to us, born out of who we are, what we’ve experienced, and how we see the world. Expectations are human. When life doesn’t match our expectations, we’re left with frustration, disappointment, anger, and conflict. What if you could clear the air and get on the same page with your spouse so that your expectations are more in line with each other’s? What would that do for your marriage? Find out. Click this button for your FREE pdf workbook! Expectations Having done this exercise before, I expect you will be […]
Love and Respect, by Dr Emerson Eggerichs
Today’s #favoritething is the one book that’s had by far the biggest impact on our marriage. Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs is a thorough, biblically-based look at the differences between a husband’s and wife’s driving needs. When those needs go unmet, the Crazy Cycle happens–a series of negative reactions that intensify conflict. Dr. Eggerichs teaches couples how to get off the Crazy Cycle and move intentionally toward meeting each other’s deepest needs, and he points them to the One who can help them to do so regardless of what they’re getting in return. It’s not a quick-fix book, but more of a way of understanding why we behave the way we do […]
How to Make Date Nights Awesome, Part 3
Part 3: Conversation Starters So now that you’ve created space for date nights and laid some ground rules, it’s time for some resources to help you and your spouse connect again. Here’s a free printable workbook of questions to get you going on your first date: Grow Together, Dream Together Enjoy reconnecting with your Beloved! Let me know how the conversation goes in the comments below. 🙂 Tune in next Wednesday for another free date night resource!