This week on the podcast, all four of us (Brook, Elizabeth, Phil and Diane) sat down to respond to some questions centered on avoiding bitterness in your marriage while dealing with sickness and the unique challenges of parenting neurodiverse children alongside neurotypical children.

We discussed the reality of living out the marriage vow, “in sickness and in health,” and how it requires a deep loyalty to one another, a shared sense of suffering and oneness, and a desperate dependence on God. We addressed how to avoid bitterness towards your spouse suffering from sickness, which demands honesty about the situation, acceptance that this is your reality, and understanding that faith is not a “fix-it” system.

We also responded to two related questions about parenting children with neurodiversity — 1) How do you parent both neurodiverse and neurotypical children in a way that is God-honoring and full of compassion, grace and truth towards each individual child and their needs? And 2) How do you work through disagreements and differences with your spouse in how you parent neurodiverse children? Drawing from our own experiences happening in real time, we talked about our unrelenting reliance on God, our larger family system, our community, and each other — as well as many other helpful strategies, such as getting on the same page AND staying on the same page.

This episode is packed with scripture references, personal examples, and lots of light and hope — even amidst some heavy, complex questions.

Poem by Jane Kenyon: Otherwise

“The cross means the acceptance of limitation on desire.” — Dallas Willard

Scripture Mentioned:

Hebrews 12:15, Matthew 5:3, Genesis 2:24, Lamentations 3:1, Romans 12:15, Romans 8:22, and Philippians 2

Marriage Retreat: SOLD OUT

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