A Red Flag for Older Marrieds Who Think They Passed the Marriage Test

The divorce rate for couples over age 50 has doubled in the last 20 years. Sad and sobering statistic. A red flag to all of us older married who think we passed the marriage test.

My heart aches for couples who think they have it all together. Come on! Who has it all together?

A middle-aged engaged couple tell me they don't need my book on marriage. Why? "We've both been married before. We know what we did wrong. This time we'll do it right!" Really? Divorce rates for second marriages are higher than the divorce rates for first marriage.

A man tells me he's been married 63 years and he doesn't need my marriage seminar. He believes his marriage will make it. I suspect he's right, but will they make it like this?

 

 

or like this?

 



We are never too old to improve our marriage. Let's not settle for the number of anniversaries, but for the quality of those anniversaries.

 

The 91 year old married 70 years tickled my heart. He bought We All Married Idiots because he knew marriage is all about work. Work that isn't finished until death do you part. This dear man wanted all of marriage, the best of marriage. He desired at age 91 to keep working to be the best husband he could be to his beloved wife. The next day he came back to my book table with the report that he had stayed up four hours reading my book and laughing himself silly. He bought another book to give away. 

"May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth."

Proverbs 5:18

 

Splash! Jump in that fountain with your honey and keep paddling!

Expect God to Show Up at Your Book Signing!

 

Marketing, marketing, marketing! Professionals say publishing a book is 10 percent writing and 90 percent marketing. While drowning in the marketing pool, let's not forget our marketing and our writing should be 100 percent ministering to readers.

 

 

That's why I love book signings and speaking. I meet  people who live on the earth and not on a page. Humans with  flesh and feelings and pain more intense than the best author can write in a book.

 

 

This sign greeted me as I entered my Barnes and Noble book signing last Saturday. For a second I thought the signing was all about Elaine. Pinching myself back to reality, I prayed God would bring people to my table who need Jesus. He did. 

 

 

 

Happy couple walked in arm-in-arm in love. On a course set by the Savior, they strolled straight to my book table. Oh my, they could hardly keep their hands off each other. The scene was cute and fun and Norman Rockwell worthy. "We're getting married!" she announced! Picking up We All Married Idiots, she smiled and said, "We won't need this. You see, we've both been married before."

I couldn't help my response. The words flew from my mouth, "Then I think you need this book even more!" (I didn't tell her that second marriages have a higher divorce rate than first marriages.) "Are you going for pre-marital counselling?"

"Oh no. We've already been married. We don't need counselling."

"Well, then I think you need my book. Some Pastors are using We All Married Idiots for pre-marital counselling."

More somber, she looked into my eyes and said, "I think you're right." Her future hubby seemed a bit stunned as she grabbed We All Married Idiots and headed for the check out.

I've added this couple to my prayer list.

Another sweet one came to my table hesitant to buy my book. She said, "I'm divorced and I have no plans to marry again, so why would I need to read this?"

I told her the book is helpful for singles in dealing with all their relationships.

She looked at the long check out line and sighed, "There's such a long line and I'm anxious to leave. I really don't want this book." Silence. "Oh, all right. Will you sign it for me?"

Five minutes later she returned jubilant! "I started reading while in line to buy your book and I couldn't believe it. I read one page and what you said touched my heart and helped me with a situation right where I am right now. I want another book to send to my son and his wife. They are going through some difficulties. This will really help them."

Thanks, God, for giving me words to write and books to market. Thank You for giving me opportunities to minister to people.  Most of all, thank You God for showing up at my book signings!

What a Splash of Serenity!