Upfront December 17, 2012 Issue

More than just good advice

Jeff Ward-Bailey, Staff Editor

Everyone’s got marriage advice: “Don’t go to bed angry.” “Live, laugh, and love.” “Keep the romance alive.” These are all good ideas (a little clichéd maybe, but good!)—but we can find a perspective on marriage and relationships that’s better than even the wisest advice.

When we acknowledge the existence of a God who is Love itself, and the relationship of each one of us to that God as His beloved son or daughter, we can’t help but see disputes healed and love strengthened. In fact, as our thought grows closer to God, we’ll come to see all the relationships in our lives as the outgrowth of His love.

“Whether dealing with differing perspectives, family relations, personal habits, or changing attitudes, patience, forgiveness, and unflagging spiritual vision can serve as life rafts, saving a couple from shipwreck on the rocks and reefs of marital difficulties,” writes Michelle Nanouche in this week’s lead article (p. 4). And as you’ll see in the rest of the issue (which, incidentally, doesn’t speak only to those who are married), divine Love heals all kinds of difficulties. Wendy Clayton shares how gratitude and prayer rekindled her marriage when it was on the brink of divorce (p. 6). Paul Fotié shares how Christian Science enabled him to buck elements of traditional Cameroonian culture in favor of a more equal marriage (p. 8). And you won’t want to miss a barn-burner chat with Christian Science teacher Jill Gooding on all sorts of issues related to marriage and home (p. 10).

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