Marriage Monday is Coming!

Call for Submissions

Posted by e-Mom. Follow me on Twitter. Subscribe in a Reader

On Monday Oct. 5 2009 please join us for Marriage Monday. By majority vote this month's topic is, "Extreme Makeover: How God Renewed Our Marriage Against All the Odds."

Every marriage goes through rough patches—and some are severe—but the good news is God's Word is completely adequate to help us through. (2 Tim 3:16 NIV) Here are a few ideas to consider as you write your post:

• Tell us which Scripture verses spoke the loudest when your marriage was under seige.

• If God brought a you special friend or prayer partner please share how they helped you.

• Was there a Godly book that a pastor or counselor or pastor recommended?

Suffice to say, whatever was instrumental in helping your marriage survive, please tell us about it! Let's give hope to other Mom bloggers who may be in the midst of fierce marriage challenges.

For Newcomers

Our community of Marriage Monday bloggers is a diverse group of joyful, Godly women. We are young, old, seasoned, and newlywed. For the past two years, we've been meeting at Chrysalis the first Monday of every month. You definitely don't want to miss out! I guarantee you'll meet some amazing women, and gain a little of wisdom along the way.

Your entry doesn't need to be fancy, clever, or very long. Just speak from your heart. Once you've posted, come back here and add your permalink to Mister Linky. Then, take a few minutes to visit a few of the other contributors.

Please Bring a Friend!

Feel free to copy any part of this announcement and post it on your blog. As always, the more participants we have, the better.

Want this button?

Today's Treat: A Guest Blogger

I've asked our dear sister and Marriage Monday contributor, Susan Amato to share a few thoughts to get us warmed us up for Monday. Married to Rick for a whopping 31 years, I encourage you to take Susan's timeless counsel to heart. (Aren't they a handsome couple in the photo above?)

Please Welcome Susan Amato

Greetings from Forever His! e-Mom asked me to write a guest post for Marriage Monday, which is coming up on October 5th. What a privilege this is for me to participate seeing how blessed, encouraged and instructed I’ve been by e-Mom’s posts myself. She truly shares a wealth of insight and wisdom for all of us at Chrysalis.

The question that I was asked to write about was, "What Scriptures have helped carry you through the most difficult seasons of your marriage?"

Now I first want to make it clear, I am by far no expert on marriage! Even after being married for 31 years, we are still learning each day what it takes to live out the example Christ has given us in His Word.

Marriage holds both the greatest potential for hurt and the best environment for healing and grace! So the scripture that has really been the anchor for our marriage is found in 1 Cor 13:4-7. (I'll be using the message translation).

If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

• Love never gives up.
• Love cares more for others than for self.
• Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
• Love doesn't strut,
• Doesn't have a swelled head,
• Doesn't force itself on others,
• Isn't always "me first,"
• Doesn't fly off the handle,
• Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
• Doesn't revel when others grovel,
• Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
• Puts up with anything,
• Trusts God always,
• Always looks for the best,
• Never looks back,
• But keeps going to the end



What I see throughout these verses is the Holy Spirit calling out for us to put the other person's needs ahead of our own. Even though this is no easy task, at the same time we are to offer room for failure and always hold out the free gift of forgiveness. This really is “Love in Action” and what I believe it takes for any marriage to make it through the tough times.

Rick and I celebrated our 31st anniversary this past August. We are the parents of 5 sons, and now grandparents of 3 beautiful granddaughters and one grandson. After all these years, there is still no one in the world I would rather spend my time with as I see our love for one another continue to grow daily.

I once read a quote by Joe Beam about marriage that is simple yet so poignant. He wrote…

"No matter what has happened in the past, your relationship can have a great future."

Life can be very difficult at times and our marriages will be tested. With Jesus as the foundation, you can always find a way through any challenge. All you need is a willing heart.

Thank you Susan! Susan is overflowing with joy, a faithful minister of the Truth, and a mature woman of God. Be sure visit Susan's blog, Forever His to get acquainted with this delightful sister and her large, loving family.

Photos: Forever His

Up Next—Extreme Makeover: How God Renewed Our Marriage Against All the Odds

Will you be joining us on Monday?