As we continue our series at Fern Creek Christian on the Modern Family, we have covered marriage, struggling relationships, and divorce. Up next: The Single Life. In addition to what I have shared so far, you might take a look at one of these articles for more thoughts on marriage and divorce. You’ll find some good insight, and some helpful tools. And if you really like to read, I’ve also included two books at the end you might track down.

1. 8 Things Healthy Couples Don’t Do — “Relationships run on forgiveness. You can’t have a healthy relationship without abundant forgiveness”
2. Six Myths about Divorce — “Generalizing all divorce as ‘sin’ simply has no support in holy writ. Never, in any list of sinners (e.g., 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Revelation 21:8) are divorced persons listed.”
3. And one more article that is really a list: 5 Things No One Tells You about Getting Married. “A few months before our wedding day, my now husband and I met up with our mentors for coffee and a chat. As our discussion came to an end that night, they left us with their final bit of wedding advice: ‘Invest in a King-Sized Bed.'”
4. The List that Saved My Marriage — There is no one quote to capture the essence of this article. But for anyone struggling with a spouse, this article is a must-read. And I can’t help but think that making a list similar to the one the author of this article makes will change your perspective. Read the article; you’ll see what I mean.
5. Discovering Beauty in the Ruins — The writer recalls her parents’ divorce, and writes: “I wish our family had been whole. I wish you, Mom, had the kind of husband and companionship I’ve been given. I wish you, Dad, had not needed to reach the depths of deception and brokenness you did to see your need of grace and forgiveness. But we were never promised perfect circumstances. What we were promised is God’s mercy to save.”
6. My Loveless Marriage — Takes an honest and healthy look at divorce’s consequences. “From 1 Corinthians 13, I discovered love isn’t a feeling but an action. I decided to treat (my husband) with love, even though I didn’t feel like it.”

And let me close with an article that is taken from a book, along with two books I recommend:

1. You Never Marry the Right Person, by Timothy Keller. Every person who is married — or might get married — should read this article. It is pointedly honest about how the culture has changed our expectations of marriage. As a bonus, Keller links to a insightful column written nearly twenty years ago, as well as “The Hauerwas Principle.” Read it; you’ll see.
2. Sacred Marriage, by Gary Thomas. Great subtitle: “What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?”
3. And finally: As for Me and My House: Crafting a Marriage to Last, by Walter Wangerin. One of our generation’s best writers tackles marriage. Honestly. Personally. And faithfully. Read it and smile. And grow.