Last time, we posed the question, “What is more important than Sex?” The answer? Affection. In the long haul of marriage, sex is extremely important, but affection is doubly important. Those morning kisses and goodnight hugs help soften hearts and defuse anger. And, let’s face it – hugs, kisses, and cuddles can exist in relationships no matter the couple’s age, health, or mobility. In addition to the importance of affection in marriage, I also believe attention is an ingredient which makes great marriages. Dating is where we get hooked. ~smile~ Boy pays girl a lot of attention. Girl … [Read more...]

To the newly in-love couple, such a question as, “How important is affection to marriages?” sounds like a joke. Of course, it is important! It is vital! It is the reason for getting up in the morning! We will never suffer from a lack of affection! (I may or may not have believed this myself… ahem.) But, the overwhelming, intoxicating feeling of being in love does fade. For some, it fades after a handful of months; whereas, others hold onto it for up to three years. Whether it happens in month three or year three, the initial in-love phase ends. Period. And, for couples who built their entire … [Read more...]

In less than a week, school children will be eating green cupcakes, McDonald’s will sell millions of Shamrock shakes, and green beer will flood the gullets of many party-goers. Saint Patrick’s Day is once again upon us. Last year, I celebrated with more vigor than usual as the holiday marked the twentieth anniversary of my most significant breakup. It was most definitely not luck, but God’s hand on my life (not to mention hours of prayers from concerned people) that this relationship died. As I hung up the phone that night, I heard a still small voice say, “This relationship is over. It … [Read more...]

When we have heavy rains or howling winds, I always “look forward” to playing count the shingles. It is an easy game. One simply goes into the front yard, counts the number of shingles on the ground, and proceeds to pick them up. At that time, I almost always think, “We really need to have someone come look at our roof.” But, life goes on, a hundred other thoughts distract me, and the roof stays forgotten until the next storm. My concern, as is with any home owner, is that one of these days, a storm will whip through and do expensive, and possibly irreversible, damage to the roof. Losing a … [Read more...]

If you could have lunch with one person who is no longer with us, who would it be? A famous theologian from centuries ago? Perhaps a world-renowned scientist or psychologist? Maybe a celebrity or humanitarian you admire who has passed from this earthly life? Though I think it would be amazing to meet Andy Griffith (who feels like an uncle I never met), Abraham Lincoln, King David, or Esther, a not-so-famous (but important) person I would love to meet is... my husband’s mother. Sabine Viets passed away almost exactly three years before I met her son in a psychology class at Liberty … [Read more...]