Prayer for Marriage

Old, New, Borrowed, Blue

Old, New, Borrowed, Blue Beloved,let's make a life together.We'll build a home together;feather our nest with creature comfortsand fill our hearts with random sundries such asForever.Beloved,it seems like there were

How Many Marriages End in Divorce?

How Many Marriages End in Divorce? Big doings in the U.K., William and Kate announced their upcoming marriage, and re-ignited Princess Di fever once again. For women of a certain age who loved Princess Di, getting ready for a new pretty young lady to join the royal family, is a bittersweet moment. “There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit...

The Ultimatum

The Ultimatum I met Lindsay when she was 28 years old and in crisis. We both worked for the same software consulting firm; we designed marketing databases for sales teams. Lindsay and I spent long days together, huddled in a client’s conference room, figuring out how to turn a 3.5 floppy disc into a sales machine...

Forgive, Forget, Move On

Forgive, Forget, Move On How can I ever forget?You tell me forgiving begets forgetting.Easier said than done.I nurse my hurts and keep them close,like treasured souvenirs.Pry open my fists and force them loose.It is time to move on,even though I'm afraid of the road ahead,what it looks likewithout the distraction of old...

Segues

Segues Impossible, he called me.In fact, I said,I am quite possible.Just not very likely.I told him, you disagree with everything I say.No I don't, he said.My husband and I never argued.That would have beentoo much like communication.I found out the road to hell is paved...

Forgiveness Step One

Forgiveness Step One “You have to forgive him.It’s the right thing to do.”Why do they tell me to forgive and forgetwhen he beats me down with his words?If I continue to live this life—  I will hate myself.Please, lend me Your strength.Let me lean on You as I walk away.Lend me Your...

Lesson in Roses

Lesson in Roses I was thinking,the other day,about tea roses.The splendid profusionof hybrids—two beautiful plantsbred togetherinto something startlingly newand impossibly lovely.And it occurred to methat it was something like a marriage:The two of us,starting out foreign to one another,

Root of Love

Root of Love What a remarkable gift You've designed!Today, let those sharing Your love open their lives for one another.With bold and unbending love,each lets the other in,standing side by side in vulnerability and in strength,in suffering and in joy,in past, future, and...

Peace-Filled Families: Part One

Peace-Filled Families: Part One I had a friend once who said I was a round person. Thanks, I thought. Then, she explained that there are "round" people and "tentacle" people. Round people let things roll off, and tentacle people lash out or are always ready to respond in like form to a hurt or injustice. She described herself as a tentacle person. Yes, I could see that, but she was also the one who would stand up for other people right away, and took things...

Unraveling

Unraveling Her marriage is breaking upand I want to help. Yet I wilt when I think how soon the phone will ring again,pouring her sorrow over my soul.I cannot give the answershe wants the most.I don't know if she will keep him. I don't know if she should keep him. Show me the path that will bring her peace. Please help me find the wordsthat reflect...

Rings and Things

Rings and Things It is a time for promises,for gathering together,for becoming one.Our rings, a symbolof this unity.Please protect the circleof those we hold dear,circles old and circles new.Keep them unbrokenbut stretchable,secure.

Ah, Young Love

Ah, Young Love "I was young once, too,"I tell her.But she stares at me,as if I sprang, fully-formedand middle-aged, from the head of Zeus.How can I possibly understandtrue love?So I turn to You who taught methe meaning of the word.

Women Handling Heartbreak: Divorce Rehab

Women Handling Heartbreak: Divorce Rehab “Women, how do you handle heartbreak?” That was the lead-in to a Palm Beach Post article that caught my eye. It’s...

Forepray

Forepray As I get ready to make love,guide me to be a giver and getter of gifts.Sometimes receiving pleasureis beyond reach for me.But not tonight.This time it will be about us, not my shopping list, the kidsor my petty complaints.Just us.  Please provide mewith the peace of mindto be in the moment.  

Committed to Each Other

Committed to Each Other As they commit themselvesto each other's hearts, hands and lives, I thank You.For helping them find each other—friends and lovers,supporters and confidants.   Thank You for letting me share in their joy-to bask in the loveof two such special...

Soothe and Comfort

Soothe and Comfort They've had a big fight.I want to join in, shouting out loud.How dare she accuse him,condemn him,not love him as much as I do?Help me hear without judgement.Help me weave together an understandingthat I could not find on my own.Help me draw peace from Your presence.Help me listen, soothe, and comfort...

A Marriage in Trouble

A Marriage in Trouble We sit in silence.I say nothing;he looks at the TVwhile I stroke the cat.The couch is small,but miles separate us.A stranger in my home.I rub my arm,desperately needingto feel touch.Please can't You healthis pain, his heart,my contempt, his indifference?

Facing the Music

Facing the Music Letting go of the past is quite the sticky wicket.The real challenge is forgiving myself.I brook no more excuses.There was no reason for what I did.How could I? Was that even me?It's not just the specific eventsI can't stop enumerating,it's the way I feel about myselfwhen I remember.Like watching a dam...

Convergence

Convergence He and I are from unlikely worlds.We pray to You, but with different words.  Tell me, how different can we really beif our gazes fall on the one same You?From here, we lift our hopes and fearsand look to Your light only for strength.  In You, we know each other more.  In You, we find our future...