Because We Have The Power To Choose…

Because We Have The Power To Choose…

My actual words were, “This communication thing is not all it’s cracked up to be.” I really meant those words. Confrontation, even healthy confrontation, is not comfortable to me. More often than not, my temp must be at the boiling point before I express true thoughts and feelings when there might be friction. Are you a peacemaker or a peacekeeper? Matthew 5:9, NLT says, “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called…

Boundaries Bring Freedom…

Boundaries Bring Freedom…

There was a time when I thought all activities needed to be a group project. You know what I mean – Lary and I do them together. Ahh, the bliss of couple life. What I began to realize is that when one of us doesn’t really want to participate, the bliss can become misery for all involved. Law four and five should have been utilized and we would have all been happier. We’ve been discussing…

Learning To See Value In Our Path Today…

Learning To See Value In Our Path Today…

When, as a child,  I wished for summer, my birthday, or Christmas my mom would say, “Carmen, you’re wishing your life away.” I didn’t quite grasp what she meant. My life seemed endless before me. Now as an adult, there have been seasons – days, weeks, months – that I wanted to wish away too. Seeing no value in the path I was walking. One of the things that has encouraged me during a difficult…

The Foreign Language of Growth

The Foreign Language of Growth

“Carmen, you have the opportunity to help Lary be a better man.” When Gil, our counselor, spoke those words it almost seemed like he was speaking in a foreign language. We married when I was only sixteen years old. He, twenty. By the time Gil said that, our marriage had long established behaviors (ruts). The concept that I should do anything that might make Lary uncomfortable or upset (on purpose) seemed ridiculous. I saved those…