Author: Kristin Engler
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Happily Ever After, God’s Way: Hope for the Stepfamily Journey
Once upon a time, a beautiful princess was trapped in a dark, danger-filled forest by her wicked stepmother with no heroic prince to save her… Friends, does this story introduction sound familiar? How about if I make a few changes and make the princess a wife, mother, and new stepmother? And what if the forest…
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Parenting Through the Beautiful Chaos: Embracing Grace in Blended Families
“No parent gives mercy better than one who is convinced that he desperately needs it himself.” — Paul David Tripp Blended families are beautifully complex. When my husband Jason and I married in 2017, we each brought two children into our new life together. Our dreams of an instant, happy family were quickly met with…
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When the Screw Won’t Turn: Trusting God’s Hands Instead of Our Own
Have you ever tried to work with a stripped screw? It’s impossible, right? No matter how hard you turn the screw to connect to the wood, the threads are worn, and they won’t grip the way you need them to in order to make progress. Sometimes, the head of the screw is stripped off as…
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The Power of the Pause: Learning When to Step Back in Love and Conflict
“Jason, I called a time out, we need to take a break and come back at this once each of us has settled down.” I said as I walked down the stairs to my office with my husband hot on my heels. “I’m not done, I need you to hear what I’m saying…” and though…
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Grace in Marriage: Extending the Love That Transforms
Grace, in its truest form, is one of the most powerful forces in our lives. It is the unmerited, undeserved, and unearned favor of God. It’s the kind of love that sees beyond our flaws, forgives our mistakes, and blesses us without condition. It’s not just a gift; it’s a call to live differently—one that…
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Building Stronger Connections in Blended Families
Communication is the cornerstone of any successful relationship, and this is especially true in marriage. When you bring two individuals from different backgrounds, with different family dynamics, into a shared life, effective communication becomes even more important. Whether you’re blending families, navigating custody arrangements, or working through emotional complexities, communication is the key to building…
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Relationship Goals
How can you strengthen and refresh your marriage this year? Give to each other- humbly, patiently, and generously. Focus on your part in your marriage- what you can do better and where you can show up for your spouse. “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowances for each other’s faults…
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Beauty from Ashes
What do you think of when you hear the word stepfamily? For many, the first image that appears is a villain from a Disney princess movie… Cinderella anyone? But what does that mean for the actual stepfamilies that attend church, or even more… for those that are afraid to attend church because they don’t feel…
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Pray Together
Cheesy huh? I used to think so too… just one of those cute little sayings people put on pictures and signs to hang around your home. I mean, we’re Christians, so of course we pray… On our own, with a friend, in study groups… With our spouse? Yeah, we need to get to that, but…
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Christ at the Center
“A woman’s heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him just to find her.” Maya Angelou. My friends, I have loved this quote for a long time, but never fully grasped its meaning quite as deeply prior to our first years of marriage. And how about, “Men, you’ll never…