Through my window this morning, I can see the sun streaming over the dark hills of Chattanooga, Tennessee. It makes me think about newness…the excitement, the anticipation and even the nervousness that surrounds a new day, a new challenge, a new job and a new relationship. But the thing about newness is whatever it is…
Our honeymoon had been perfect so far. My husband of four days had blown me away with his romantic surprises. We were giddy about being on the breathtaking Hawaiian island, Kauai, and it seemed like every minute we were relishing in our new love together. But suddenly as we walked along the shore near our…
Successful marriage consistently calls for both the humble admission of error when wrongdoing has occurred and the mutual commitment to grow in unfamiliar ways. Nothing destroys these two pillars of healthy relationships more quickly than persistent defensiveness and an unforgiving, critical spirit. These are the heart-hardening factors that eventually destroy the elasticity of creative conflict…
Why is it often more difficult to say ”no” than to commit without truly expecting to follow through? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? I thought through some of the reasons it is difficult for me to say “no” to a making a commitment: I don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings. I’m afraid of…
2012 has arrived, and people across the country are making resolutions—to lose weight, exercise more, stick to a budget, restore a relationship, or any other number of concerns. As I sit here in a café, sipping coffee, and writing this article, I too am reflecting on this past year’s highlights (a two-week mission trip to…
