Marriage is What You Make It

A while back, Hubby shared a story from work—he had been on third shift for 2 weeks due to a short-term project—and shared a story about one of the guys who hadn't been married long getting harassed by his co-workers about his wife. 

Hubby took pity on the guy and told him everyone was just teasing. The guy laughed it off, but shared a concern he had been hearing about marriages and the work place. Hubby told him the workplace hours didn’t destroy marriages—marriages crumbled due to other underlying reasons. The workplace was simply an easy scapegoat. Hubby told him he had been married 22 years, and the majority of those years were spent working second shift. Hubby also told him most marriages fall apart due to financial reasons, and if the spouse was bringing home 80 grand, then finances weren’t usually the underlying cause in workplace divorces.

He finished his story, kissed me “goodnight”, then headed to bed. I pondered his words. No wonder I call him my Voice of Reason.

Marriage isn’t easy. It takes a lot of work.

In our 23 years, Hubby and I have gone through some trials--dark times that tested our commitment to each other. Those are times I wish I could forget, but those are the same trials that brought me to the foot of the cross too.

As my friend P. T. Bradley said in today's MBT Ponderers post, "So many times more emphasis is placed on the wedding than on a marriage. A total of $72 billion is spent annually on weddings. I wish couples would remember the wedding is for a day, but marriage should be for a lifetime. They will have many joys but will also have many arguments."

P. T.'s words are so true.

If you read the tabloids, you'll see headlines about thousands of dollars spent on weddings, but then the couples are separated in such a short amount of time. What happened to the sanctity of vows? What happened to their commitments to each other? And no, this isn't just in Hollywood either. It happens everywhere. Marriage is considered an outdated tradition by some, and it's as disposable as paper plates to others.

Hubby and I eloped. Part of me yearned for that fairy tale wedding, but then I realized I may not have had the wedding I always wanted, but I married the man of my dreams. Working together, we've been able to face many challenges. They weren't easy, but they drew us closer together.

Your Turn: What are your thoughts on marriage? Outdated? Too much work? Totally worth? Something you hope for someday? You're content being single?

Litfuse Blog Tour: Mornings WIth Jesus 2012

"Be still and know that I am God.” is one of the most beautiful verses from the Bible, but it’s not easy to practice in this busy world. Mornings with Jesus will help you do just that—“be still” in Jesus’ beautiful and powerful presence. 


For those who are seeking a deeper experience in their relationship with Christ, Mornings with Jesus offers a fresh perspective of who Jesus is (the Healer, the Son of God, the Comforter, the Good Shepherd) and what that means for day-to-day life.


 With a warm and friendly voice, 365 short devotional writings on the character and teachings of Jesus encourage readers to greet each day by drawing near to Him and inviting His presence into their day. 


Spend time with Jesus at the beginning of each day and experience His nearness and peace in a new way throughout the year. Each day’s selection includes: • a Bible verse • an entry based on Jesus: His words, miracles, and parables; His wisdom, compassion, and comfort; His mystery, power, divinity, and humanity • a “faith step” that will inspire and challenge readers to apply the day’s message to their lives


I received this book in exchange for my participation in the Litfuse blog tour. I received at the beginning of 2012, so it was a perfect start to a new beginning in the Word. Each devotional is written in a friendly, conversational tone that makes you want to keep reading even after the words stop. The encouragement from the devotions, the verses to ponder, and the faith steps at the end of the passages helps me to draw closer to Him. Written by some of my favorite authors, the devotions are great pick-me-ups in the morning and help me stay motivated to dive into the Word when my busy schedule beckons. Consider picking up your copy today. Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the blog tour.  


I'm giving away a copy of Mornings with Jesus 2012. Please leave a comment and your email address. 

Litfuse Blog Tour: The Shadow of Your Smile

Buy Here

A beautiful blanket of snow may cover the quaint town of Deep Haven each winter, but it can’t quite hide the wreckage of Noelle and Eli Hueston’s marriage.

After twenty-five years, they’re contemplating divorce . . . just as soon as their youngest son graduates from high school. But then an accident erases part of Noelle's memory. Though her other injuries are minor, she doesn’t remember Eli, their children, or the tragedy that has ripped their family apart. What’s more, Noelle is shocked that her life has turned out nothing like she dreamed it would. As she tries to regain her memory and slowly steps into her role as a wife and mother, Eli helps her readjust to daily life with sometimes-hilarious, sometimes-heartwarming results. But can she fall in love again with a man she can’t remember?

Will their secrets destroy them . . . or has erasing the past given them a chance for a future? Read the story behind the story here. 

I received a free copy of The Shadow of Your Smile from the publisher in exchange for participating in this blog tour. Even if I hadn't, Susan May Warren's books are an automatic buy. I loved reading The Deep Haven series through the years. Susie's books are always rich with details, storyworld and three-dimensional characters. In The Shadow of Your Smile, I felt pulled into each of the character's emotions. The depth of their pain pulled on my heart. Unfortunately I haven't finished reading this book due to my schedule, but each time I turn the page, I'm pulled back to Deep Haven on a journey that helps me to really appreciate the one I married. Reading how Noelle and Eli work to put together the shadow of their marriage helps me to appreciate the love and blessings I share with my husband. You must buy your copy of The Shadow of Your Smile today. You won't be disappointed. 

 

Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty-five novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia, Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.

 

Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder of My Book Therapy, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.

 

Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!)

 

A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at www.susanmaywarren.com. 

 

Susan is celebrating the release of The Shadow of Your Smile by giving away a prize pack worth over $200 from 1/9-1/28.

Come Back to Deep Haven and Win a $200 Visa Card from @susanmaywarren!


Sometimes love requires a little forgetting ... Come back to Deep Haven and find out what's been happening in your favorite quaint hamlet. If you're new to the Deep Haven series - this is the perfect book to start with - each book in the series is a stand alone story.

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa Gift Card (Use that to rekindle a little romance, treat yourself to a spa day, snap up those shoes you’ve been eyeing, or purchase a few great books!)

• The entire set of Deep Haven Books 

The winner will be announced on 1/30/12 on Susan’s blog, Scribbles! Just click one of the icons below to enter and tell your friends about Susan's giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.