The Power of a Friend
I had the pleasure of going to a wedding shower last night. One of the things I love so much about things like this is the chance to get together with other women and chat, plus the food is great. It was wonderful to meet some new amazing ladies but most of all I really enjoyed catching up a bit with my friend Katherine.
One of the gifts given to the bride was actually given to her twice. It was a book called The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian. I am positive that I have mentioned this book before because I read it at a very important time in my life. It was at a time when I was very unhappy with my marriage, really with my life. I was struggling with a VERY colicky first baby and that caused some big issues for me emotionally, relationally and even physically. That book was one of the things that helped me feel I could do something to change my situation. It was a powerful help for my life and I will forever be grateful to the friend who recommended it. Katherine and I were discussing this book for a time because she was with me when I recommended the same book to another woman who was struggling with her marriage as well. That marriage since ended and though I'm not saying that their relationship would have been saved if she had taken my advice and read the book I tried to hand her, it did make me think about the choices that we make to change our circumstances. Sometimes we really can be very resistant to help. I know there was a time for me where I honestly did not want to be here. I was shocked at my desire to just pack it in and walk away from the life that had somehow become mine. I'm really not sure what would have happened if I had decided I would just follow that road but I do know my life would be very different right now and so would my kids. Sure, in some ways that would have maybe "solved" a few of the issues but it would have also created new ones. Plus it wouldn't have changed the things in me that were creating part of the problem. I think that was why The Power of a Praying Wife was so instrumental. It shifts the focus away from yourself and helps you to think about your partner and how to make things better for them. When you do that they are more willing to do the same for you and then you become a better partnership instead of just trying to get your own needs fulfilled.
In my chat with Katherine I also mentioned to her the book I am reading now (that will be reviewed on the blog when I'm done) called You're Already Amazing by Holley Gerth. I have only read 3 chapters so far and it's already amazing. Katherine had mentioned thinking a book study of The Power of a Praying Wife would be something we should maybe work on and I immediately thought this book would also be fantastic. I had mentioned that it can be very difficult for me to manage to go to studies since my husband works shift work so I miss half of the meetings. She countered this by telling me maybe I should host it. I think she might be right. Organization (and house cleaning) have never been one of my strengths so I tend to really shy away from taking on the responsibility of arranging something like this but if I want to be able to do a study I might just have to shoulder this. I know that there are women I know that are feeling disconnected and could really use an opportunity to grow together so I am going to do my best to figure out the logistics of planning a study group. Honestly it scares me a little and I'm guessing it's going to take a long time to figure it all out but I do think it's a worthy endeavour and I am going to try.
Thank you Katherine for encouraging me to think I can.
PS. The bride also received the book The Power of a Praying Husband. I think I might need to pick this book up for my husband too. lol
One of the gifts given to the bride was actually given to her twice. It was a book called The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian. I am positive that I have mentioned this book before because I read it at a very important time in my life. It was at a time when I was very unhappy with my marriage, really with my life. I was struggling with a VERY colicky first baby and that caused some big issues for me emotionally, relationally and even physically. That book was one of the things that helped me feel I could do something to change my situation. It was a powerful help for my life and I will forever be grateful to the friend who recommended it. Katherine and I were discussing this book for a time because she was with me when I recommended the same book to another woman who was struggling with her marriage as well. That marriage since ended and though I'm not saying that their relationship would have been saved if she had taken my advice and read the book I tried to hand her, it did make me think about the choices that we make to change our circumstances. Sometimes we really can be very resistant to help. I know there was a time for me where I honestly did not want to be here. I was shocked at my desire to just pack it in and walk away from the life that had somehow become mine. I'm really not sure what would have happened if I had decided I would just follow that road but I do know my life would be very different right now and so would my kids. Sure, in some ways that would have maybe "solved" a few of the issues but it would have also created new ones. Plus it wouldn't have changed the things in me that were creating part of the problem. I think that was why The Power of a Praying Wife was so instrumental. It shifts the focus away from yourself and helps you to think about your partner and how to make things better for them. When you do that they are more willing to do the same for you and then you become a better partnership instead of just trying to get your own needs fulfilled.
In my chat with Katherine I also mentioned to her the book I am reading now (that will be reviewed on the blog when I'm done) called You're Already Amazing by Holley Gerth. I have only read 3 chapters so far and it's already amazing. Katherine had mentioned thinking a book study of The Power of a Praying Wife would be something we should maybe work on and I immediately thought this book would also be fantastic. I had mentioned that it can be very difficult for me to manage to go to studies since my husband works shift work so I miss half of the meetings. She countered this by telling me maybe I should host it. I think she might be right. Organization (and house cleaning) have never been one of my strengths so I tend to really shy away from taking on the responsibility of arranging something like this but if I want to be able to do a study I might just have to shoulder this. I know that there are women I know that are feeling disconnected and could really use an opportunity to grow together so I am going to do my best to figure out the logistics of planning a study group. Honestly it scares me a little and I'm guessing it's going to take a long time to figure it all out but I do think it's a worthy endeavour and I am going to try.
Thank you Katherine for encouraging me to think I can.
PS. The bride also received the book The Power of a Praying Husband. I think I might need to pick this book up for my husband too. lol
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