When do you pray? Here are some noted people and their answers on when to pray – and when we should pray … When our own wisdom is not enough. “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.” ~ Abraham Lincoln For every thing – small and large: “Any concern too small to be turned into a...

Husbands and wives are different. Just being a male and a female ensures you won’t be alike. Physically that’s true. There are books written about how men and women think and process ideas differently.   (Men Are Like Waffles–Women Are Like Spaghetti) But uniqueness goes deeper than the physical and the mental ways husbands and wives connect. You know what I’m talking about – your spouse is not like anyone else...

When you want circumstances to change, - start with where you’re looking – take time to pray. Prayer is an action.  Prayer changes things.  Prayer uplifts. Uplifted = raised & elevated. When you’re raised up and elevated, what happens? You can see! You can see clearly.  You can see over.  You can see around. You can see past. Encouraging your spouse with prayer is like taking her or him up in an air-balloon.   Prayer cannot...

What are you praying for – and over – your spouse? Do you use scripture verses? When you don’t have your own words, Or can’t find words, Turn to the One who has and is ALL. Uplift with Prayer Have courage.  Encourage. When I was a child, my German grandmother taught me my first bedtime prayer. It was a child’s rote prayer:  “Ich bin klein, mein Herz ist rein. Soll neimand drin wohnen, als Jesus allein.” (“I am...

This painting is an “elaborate fiction” commissioned by a grieving widower. My mom and I visited the North Carolina Museum of Art during Christmas holidays. It’s an amazing collection of works of art. As we viewed a gallery, took some photos (without a flash) and read the notes at the side of each painting, a  commentary struck me: “… an ideal image of himself, the self he wishes to bequeath to...

Encouragement is like a glass of  clear, clean, cold water – it refreshes. What would you call the glass of dirty water with “floaties”? (it’s not encouragement) Which are you offering your spouse? Inspire with Hope – Encouraging by looking forward with optimism. Fortify with Faith – Encouraging by using your strong faith in God. Foster with Love – Encouraging by loving without condition. Uplift with...