Faith Filled Marriage: The "For Worse" Times

While some people believe that being in a marriage where Christ is at the center means a flawless and uneventful home life, the reality is that Christian marriages are just as susceptible to hurt, pain and trial, statistically ending in divorce just as often.

The truth of the matter is that we are all dealing with brokenness to some degree, and as a result, face many trials, and sometimes more than our "fair" share of heartache.  So, if suffering to some degree is inevitable, even in our closest partnerships, what can we do about it?

I have been meditating a lot on this recently because I have been battling issues from my childhood for what feels like over a decade now.  I was naive in the beginning of my marriage in believing that Jerry would only bring out the best in me, imagine my surprise when I realized he could easily bring out the worst!

There are three major mistakes we can make in our marriages when faced with the reality that it is not all sunshine and roses all of the time.

From Mama B's Kitchen: Italian Style T.S.A.M. Burgers

One thing that I love about being a homemaker is having the desire to cook and be inventive in coming up with new recipes.  Jerry knows that I am somewhat obsessed with reality style cooking shows; Top Chef, Hell's Kitchen, MasterChef and the like.  I decided that one thing I'd like to do is start cataloguing and sharing some of my successes in the home kitchen.  I will call this weekly segment: "From Mama B's Kitchen."

Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of this week's creation, so it will be sans picture, however; future posts in this series will include photos of special ingredients as well as the finished product.  And now without further suspense, your recipe of the week.  

Italian Style Turkey Swiss Avocado Mushroom (TSAM) Burgers!

Ingredients List:

4 Italian Hoagie (Sandwich) Rolls

4 Pre-formed Turkey Burger Patties*, Seasoned as Desired and Ready to Grill!

1 pkg Baby Bella Mushrooms, Sliced

1 small yellow onion, finely chopped

1 tbsp italian seasonings

1 tsp garlic salt

1 tbsp olive oil or butter

1-2 minced garlic cloves (can be fresh or from the jar)

1 Avocado, thinly sliced lengthwise

4 thick slices deli style Jarlsberg swiss cheese

*Look for 1/4lb. burger patties, or feel free to make your own burgers!

Where Do I Go From Here?

I never realized the amount of introspection and reflection that would absorb my time in the weeks and months leading to my big 3-0.  It is as if a complete inventory of my life was somehow mandated.

I struggled through a lot of inner turmoil and as a result struggled outwardly as well.  I wrestled with questions, so many questions, about my life and the current direction set before me.

Who are my friends?  Who am I?  Am I happy?  Is this where I want to be?  Am I doing my best?  What is God's plan for my life?  Am I living according to His will or mine?  Do I have joy?  What example am I setting for my daughter?  Does my husband still love me?  Am I failing?

I'm not going to lie, I uncovered a lot of hard truths in the process.  Truths that I didn't want to face.  But I also discovered that I have choices to make.  If I am to live the life I long to have, I have to be the woman I am called to be.  I need to rise to a new level of understanding, of appreciation, of devotion to my Lord and His purpose for my life.