This is a more serious post and a bit longer than usual. Grab some coffee or tea and sit a spell.
The holiday season is filled with stresses, but it’s seen as a celebration time for family and friends. It is not uncommon for people who are giving up on marriage and considering divorce to wait until after the holidays to file.
Here’s my other thought …
If you haven’t been able to build a healthier marriage on your own … you can’t do it on your own.
Get help. If you know your marriage is in trouble, get help now. Yes, in the middle of all the holiday stresses. Yes, when it’s totally inconvenient and maybe costs something (while you’re trying to purchase gifts for the holidays).
Don’t wait.
Speak up. Grab a good (marriage-friendly) friend or minister and begin to share.
Gather a group. A marriage-focused small group is an amazing help in creating a marriage-supportive environment. It’s also a great place to read and discuss a marriage book.
Seek professional help. Some churches have free-to-sliding-scale ministry available. Or they may know of nearby resources (groups, mentors, coaches, psychologists, etc.)
There is also help online.
Christian Care Connect – counseling, coaching, and clinics
Aldrich Ministries – coaching (I coach here and there are others with niche ministry.)
RJZ Connection Codes – coaching (I know Roy and Julie. They are great folks.)
Please do take my words seriously.
If you don’t need help (yay for you), keep these suggestions handy for friends that might be struggling. It’s the season to catch marriages before they hit the courts.
If you’re feeling creative and looking for a Christmas project to try, may I recommend a fun product?
DAS air dry clay is phenomenal. It’s easy to work with and dries without a kiln. The ornaments I’ve made are very sturdy at 1/4″ thick. Cookie cutters come in all sizes and shapes. With a bit of paint, you are good to go.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.
Image credits – broken heart cookie © eyegelb / Adobe Stock, air dry clay © Lori / Doing Marriage Well
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