To-Do…and Done

Sarah and Daniel visit the doctor, get ready for childbirth classes, and put the finishing touches on their nest.

April 30, 2010

Even if you don’t consider yourself a spiritual or prayerful person, try praying for your spouse today. You might get an answer to an unasked question.

The Spirit which the Lord pours forth gives a new heart

From On the Family The Spirit which the Lord pours forth gives a new heart, and renders man and woman capable of loving one another as Christ has loved us.

An image of the unfailing love with which God loves

From Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan The mutual married love of man and woman becomes an image of the absolute and unfailing love with which God loves man[kind].

April 29, 2010

The blessing of being married many years is being comfortable and secure with each other The curse is also comfort and security. Is it time to shake up your routine? Eat at a different time. Bring roses on an ordinary day.

A souce of great security for children

From Address of Pope Benedict XVI at the Fifth World Meeting of Families The love between father and mother is a source of great security for children and it teaches them the beauty of faithful and lasting love.

In family life we experience fundamental elements of peace

From The Human Family, A Community of Peace Message of Pope Benedict XVI for World Day of Peace 2008 In a healthy family life we experience some fundamental elements of peace: mutual help in the necessities of life.

April 28, 2010

Are you in a mixed religion marriage? Celebrate the commonalities and respect the differences. Rejoice if your spouse values a spiritual life even though it may be a different path than your own.

The Courage to be Married

It may not take courage to make a promise, but it can take a lot of courage to keep a promise. This is especially true for the promises we make on our wedding day.

Marriage and Family Life: A Priority of the U.S. Bishops

The U.S. Catholic Bishops have made a serious, extensive commitment to support family life by identifying the strengthening of marriage as one of their pastoral priorities. Here’s an update on their activities.

A community of persons

From Letter to Families from Pope John Paul II for 1994 – Year of the Family The family is a community of persons whose proper way of existing and living together is communion.

April 27, 2010

“Married life teaches one invaluable lesson: to think of things far enough ahead not to say them” (Jefferson Machamer). What have you said to your spouse that you’ve regretted? You can’t take the words back but it can help you slow down your speech.

Practical Help from Elizabeth Ministry

These four short, practical booklets offer help to couples dealing with infertility, miscarriage, and prenatal problems.

Best-Selling Book on Marriage Stirs Controversy

Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of “Eat, Pray, Love,” has written a new book on marriage called “Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage.” While the book has made news as an instant best-seller, some critics have questioned Gilbert’s interpretation of the institution of marriage. David Gibson, Marriage in the News editor of For Your Marriage, looks at the book in light of Christian teaching on marriage.

The Best Wedding Gift? Your Ongoing Support

If you’re planning to attend a wedding, you’ll probably hear a challenge to support the bride and groom during the critical early years of marriage. But, how, practically, can you do this? We offer a few suggestions.

Short and Sweet, and Delayed

My dear readers, I apologize for another delayed entry. I really have no excuse, other than to (truthfully!) claim that although last week was my first full week without going to work, it was still surprisingly busy.

Married couples have taught us

From Follow the Way of Love Married couples have taught us, [the] decision to love is one we have to make over and over again, when it feels good and when it does not.

April 26, 2010

Communication is 55% non-verbal, 38% tone of voice, 7% words (Mehrabian 1971). Have you ever been off the mark in reading your spouse’s non-verbals? Don’t just guess. Check it out verbally.

April 25, 2010

Fidelity in marriage is about more than just not having an affair. It means doing those daily acts of thoughtfulness that keep your relationship exciting and “affair proof.”

Springing across the mountains

My lover–here he comes springing across the mountains, leaping across the hills.  Song of Songs 2:10

April 24, 2010

“People change and forget to tell each other” (Lillian Hellman). Don’t wake up one day wondering where your love went. How have you changed this past year? Have you changed an opinion, a favorite food, your taste in music, your belief about faith?

Not only to growing in love

From Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan Marriage is ordained not only to growing in love but to transmitting life.

Strengths and Chuckles

After 11 years of married life, it isn’t hard to find situations where our personalities and gifts do not match up well. Moving, for example. Or me driving and Stacey giving directions, for a variety of reasons.

There are many other ways in which our personalities work really well together.

Love flourishes in faithful, stable relationships

From Follow the Way of Love The love that [St. Paul] describes flourishes in faithful, stable relationships… first and foremost, [in] a marriage [but] also for the entire family.

April 23, 2010

For some couples children come easily. Others long for a child and wait painfully each month hoping to conceive. If you already have children, pray for those who would trade places with you in a heartbeat.