“He doesn’t even have to be kind. I just wish he wouldn’t make every waking moment a nightmare. What else can I do?” she said into the phone.

“I don’t know,” her sister said. “You’ve done counseling. And prayed. Asked pastors for help. Read books. Been quiet. Spoken up. Given more sex. You’ve borne the consequences of all his poor choices. You’ve pushed your health to the brink to serve him. For years.”

“But I haven’t fasted and prayed for a straight month,” she murmured.

“THIS IS INSANE. YOU ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS BEHAVIOR!” her sister exploded. 

 “Yes,” she said. 

It finally clicked. And in that moment, she knew. 

“I have to separate.”

It was her “enough” moment. And she never looked back. 

A summary form of my two cents:

• There’s no right or wrong answer (but lots of valuable advice; I put my money where my mouth is)
• Important factors that play into calculating this decision (no math needed, phew!)
• The one person who needs to sign this check (Hint: It ain’t your pastor or mother-in-law or dad or boss or a celebrity or Magic 8-ball or even, gasp, God)
• The stinky visitor living rent-free in your brain (May I suggest an eviction notice?)

Access the transcript, read the show notes, and/or ask Natalie a question here

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