52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. -Luke 23:52-53, NIV Holy Saturday Within the Christian tradition, we recognize the day between Good Friday and Easter as … Continue reading “Happy Holy Saturday!”
Category: Grief
Death of hope
I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. -I Corinthians 15:3, NLT Death of hope They had all sorts of plans for Jesus. He was going to overthrow their oppressors, the Romans. Then he was … Continue reading “Death of hope”
Tainted Fruit
18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? -Isaiah 43:18-19a, NIV What do we do with the good things that we gained through our marriage to our Cheater?! It feels like tainted fruit, honestly. Such gifts are … Continue reading “Tainted Fruit”
Cannot put the genie back in the bottle
For the woman’s jealous husband will be furious, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. -Proverbs 6:34, NLT In the early stages post-discovery, it is natural to try to wake up from the “bad dream.” Unfortunately, you will learn–painfully–that the genie cannot go back into that bottle. If you are at all … Continue reading “Cannot put the genie back in the bottle”
Could have gone differently!
A danger for faithful spouses is focusing on the fantasy and not the reality of their situation. A spouse who cheats is the opposite of what the faithful spouse signed up for on their wedding day. Obviously, the marriage could have gone a very different way. That was the expectation, actually–i.e. a lifelong, faithful relationship. I think … Continue reading “Could have gone differently!”
Nary an apology!
When cheating happens, it damages more than just the marriage. It also destroys “friendships” as well. I have no problem questioning how Christian someone is who supports a Cheater over the faithful spouse while fully knowing of the infidelity. Minimally, they are NOT friendship material for the faithful spouse. Further, such people have different values … Continue reading “Nary an apology!”
No forgiveness without wrongs acknowledged
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” -I John 1:9, KJV What good is forgiveness to someone who does not think he or she did anything wrong? It is worthless. They are not in bondage to a conscience warning them … Continue reading “No forgiveness without wrongs acknowledged”
Usually so much worse!
So, your Cheater cops to an “emotional affair” after you discovered compromising messages and confronted them. Are you sure that’s all it was?! I know we want to believe that was all it was. That was where I was at in my first marriage for a long time. I did not want to believe it … Continue reading “Usually so much worse!”
Regarding death of dreams
And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted…. -Genesis 37:35a, KJV Giving up the dreams regarding your marriage are tough. I had a dream of only being married once. My dream included only giving myself to one woman. I grew up in a Christian … Continue reading “Regarding death of dreams”
Good and bad news regarding friends
A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. -Proverbs 17:17, NLT Good news and bad news about friends during times of marital distress: First, I will share the bad news: Some of the most painful betrayals will be friends and even family choosing the cheater over … Continue reading “Good and bad news regarding friends”