Twitter Campaign

As my latest book is for ages 8-12, I've been writing a blog geared more toward that age group over on my website. The funnest thing to come out of it is a twitter campaign that some friends of mine started when they found out Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon has also written a children's book about a snowball fight. I'd love it if you helped out by joining Team Strong in this winter war!

I HAVE been to The Tonight Show a couple times before, and you can help me get there again! Click here for more info.

Three Options for a Bad Marriage

Today has been a sad day. No huge reason. Just the dynamic of what my kids have to deal with on a day to day basis because I'm divorced from their father.

When I mentioned this on facebook, a friend said that she was a child of divorce, and because she doesn't want to put her children through the pain she went through, she is staying in a bad marriage. Well, that makes me even sadder. So I just want to offer advice to her and anyone else who might feel stuck like this. It's advice that I learned from my counselor, and it just makes so much sense.

No, not one of your options. Sorry.

People in a relationship have to be on relatively the same level of emotional health to make it work. Imagine a rubber band around two fingers representing the two people and their relationship. When one person starts to grow forward, it creates tension, and one of three things will have to happen to keep the relationship in tact:

1.) The person trying to get healthy will have to regress.
2.) The person who is not as healthy will have to grow.

OR

3.) The person who refuses to get healthy will leave.

Yes, I believe staying together for your children is honorable. I HATE HATE HATE it when a person tells me, "Kids are happier when the parents are happy." I think, "Well, now I know you had an affair." It's an incredibly selfish justification. And the person doesn't even sound happy when the say it.

Rant aside, the healthiest situation for children is to see their parents demonstrating love in all relationships. If you are choosing not to grow to keep your marriage in tact, then that is a decision made out of fear, not love.

So my advice is to grow. Not to pursue happiness, but to grow. That means read your Bible, go to counseling, join an accountability group, set goals, set boundaries, treat your spouse with love and respect, and pray. If you refuse to regress, then one of three two things will have to happen:

1.) Your spouse will have to grow, thus your marriage will become healthier.

OR

2.) The unhealthy person will leave.

This is the hardest thing to do. And it is the most loving thing to do.

I know from experience. My ex did come back at one point, and he even said, "This relationship won't work unless you ____________." I refused to regress. I lost my husband, and I felt guilty about it at first. But had I _____________, I would have taught my kids that loving meant giving the other person what they want, when really it's about giving them what they need.

I grew. He left. And there's garbage to deal with on a daily basis because of it, but at least I'm learning to deal with it in love.

Just this morning I asked God to be my "divorce coach." Because I still have a long way to go.

Here's wishing you all a life of love and growth. You--and your kids--are worth it.

Distracted by a Talking Jackass

If you know the story of Balaam, you know it's about a talking donkey. Or you probably think that's what it's about. That's what you remember because it's one of those weird Bible stories where you squint your eyes and think, "Did I read that right?"

So when I got to that story in my Bible reading the other day, I squinted my eyes and thought, "The talking donkey again. Not sure what God can teach me from this." But then I kept reading. And I was so fascinated that I read the next chapter. And the next chapter. And I realized that the talking donkey was just a distraction from the most powerful part of the story.

Interview: Barbara Roberts

There was actually a time when my ex-husband sent me a list of scripture verses on why I could never remarry. This was joke coming from him, but I did want to know what God thought on the topic.

I’d already looked up the scriptures myself and was totally confused. It was like I could pick one scripture to justify whatever I wanted to do, but what did they mean as a whole?

Then I found author Barbara Roberts. She’d done all the research for me. Her message is an important one, and I share it here for anyone considering divorce or remarriage.

Interview: Steve Arterburn

I am thrilled to have author Steve Arterburn as a guest on my blog. I've read a couple of his books including Every Man's Battle and Every Heart Restored. His ministry and his advice is not just for men. Honestly, what I've learned from him is wisdom that can benefit everyone. 

1.) What is it about pornography or infidelity that appeals so much to a man?

Men often leave home without a real sense of manhood.  It becomes something they must establish on their own or prove on their own.