New self-help book dares women to say no without guilt to take care of themselves
Say No! With A Smile: A Reality Check for Women Who Simply Give Too Much by Karen C. Bowlding teaches women when to say no, how to say it, and do it without feeling guilty.
Upper Marlboro, MD (November 22, 2010) – Karen Bowlding, a local author, has announced the release of her sophomore book, Say No! With A Smile. The e-book is a tool for women who simply give too much, and refuse to protect themselves by saying no.
Too many women, including the author, don’t sit still, Women are constantly doing things for other people… listening to folks problems; taking on other people’s burdens; driving someone somewhere; loaning out money to people they know can’t afford to give it back; and being places she doesn’t want to be. Even at work, she stays overtime to please the boss; works on projects she don’t have the time or ability to complete in hopes of getting noticed; and take on additional work assignments because someone else wouldn’t do it.
Bowlding writes from her experiences of having trouble saying no to those closest to her. Growing up, she gave into the demands of others. She followed the crowd because she was afraid to lose relationships when she stood up for herself. As an adult, Bowlding still didn’t say no…to anyone. She struggled with having time to do those things she wanted to do. When she made a suggestion to others, some ridiculed her ideas because they didn’t want to do what she wanted. They knew how to say no, but she learned to keep quiet and go with the flow.
Bowlding says, “Saying no with a smile is an internal, not an outward expression. It is not a grin or smirk on your face when you decline an offer, but a private high-five because you are able to say no without self-reproach. It is contentment within yourself at your ability to overcome by saying what you truly feel; being pleased in your spirit.”
The book will give readers information on when to say no, how to say it, and do it without feeling guilty. The book also provides tips on what to do with the “free” time once someone learns the art of saying no. Bowlding wrote the book to help her deal with her own issues, and hopes that she will help other women grow into saner, and less harried women.
Bowlding chose the e-book format due to the popularity e-book readers and ability to download onto mobile devices.
Say No! With A Smile can be downloaded online at http://www.karenbowlding.net. To arrange for an interview, contact Karen Bowlding directly at 202-413-8049 or karen.bowlding@gmail.com.
Media Contact: Karen C. Bowlding
Phone: (202) 413-8049 Email: karen.bowlding@gmail.com Web: http://www.karenbowlding.net
Mail: P.O. Box 478 ∙ Upper Marlboro, MD 20773
Author shares profits to benefit local adoption agency
Say No! With A Smile author Karen C. Bowlding gives a portion of book sales to Bethany Christian Service
Upper Marlboro, MD (November 22, 2010) – Karen Bowlding, a local author, has announced the release of her sophomore book, Say No! With A Smile along with the creation of Shared Blessings; a venture to benefit the non-profit adoption agency Bethany Christian Services.
Shared Blessings will benefit the Maryland office. Bowlding says, “My husband and I recently receive a letter from them. They are in serious need of donations for their Caring Connections Program that provides financial assistance to families that are committed to adopting children who have special needs. Because we didn’t have the liquid capital to give, we weren’t able to answer the call. However, over the weekend, I kept thinking about the agency and how they are a huge blessing to others. The staff and volunteers work endlessly to provide safe homes for children of all ages. Even the perspective parents are blessed because of them. They provide wisdom, encouragement and support needed during the emotional season of the adoption process. They make the process bearable…the collection of documents, financial commitment, fingerprinting, home study, selection by birth parent(s), and the wait. Once the child has arrived, Bethany wholeheartedly supports the parents and child(ren) as they transition to a new forever family.”
Bowlding read about businesses and non-profits partnering together to help out with a cause. Since she was ready to go live on her website and start selling her new e-book, she thought that she could help by donating $2.00 from each book purchase. She contacted the Director, Paulette Holloway, to express her thoughts about how she and her husband I could help out. Mrs. Holloway was quite receptive. From that moment a partnership was born.
Media Contacts:
Karen C. Bowlding
Phone: (202) 413-8049 Email: karen.bowlding@gmail.com
Web: http://www.karenbowlding.net
Paulette Holloway, Director
Bethany Christian Services Maryland
Phone: (410) 793-0352
2130 Priest Bridge Drive, Suite 9, Crofton, MD 21114
Web: http://www.bethany.org/maryland
Gazette, Upper Marlboro, Maryland Upper Marlboro woman aids couples down the aisle Book proves popular in helping couples prepare for life after the honeymoon Thursday, May 25, 2006 by Brooke N. Garner, Staff Writer Karen Bowlding’s early marriage experiences with her husband, Andre, helped motivate her to write a guide for couples who are about to marry. Upper Marlboro resident Karen Bowlding has been married to her husband Andre for five years now but she admits that the beginning years were not easy. ‘‘We struggled in the first two years of our marriage,” Karen Bowlding, 41, said. ‘‘There were some things we hadn’t planned and didn’t talk about before we got married.” Armed with a notebook and a pen she started writing ‘‘Living in Autumn While Preparing for Spring: The Journey Towards Marriage,” which was released in December 2005. ‘‘The books covers pretty much everything you should know and discuss before you get married — like family history, finances and insurance,” Karen Bowlding said. ‘‘Communication was the major issue in my marriage because neither of us saw communication as being important.” Though Karen Bowlding wrote the majority of the book, husband Andre submitted a letter for the male readers describing his state of mind when he was single and what he was looking for in wife. ‘‘If we had this book once we got married, we wouldn’t have had the same problems we ran into in the beginning,” Andre Bowlding said. ‘‘This book needed to be written because it answers those marital questions that people tend to avoid.” Karen Bowlding has been a Christian for the past 10 years and incorporates biblical scriptures and passages throughout the entire book. ‘‘This book does not come from me. It’s coming from God who created relationships,” Karen Bowlding said. ‘‘He has a blueprint for how relationships should work. If we follow the blueprint I believe it would help us out in our relationships.” Though the book has been out for less than six months, Karen Bowlding said that she has received excellent feedback. ‘‘I haven’t gotten any negative comments from people because bits of their lives and their struggles are in [the book] too,” she said. ‘‘I let them know that Christ is all the man you need and we should be looking at him, during out time of singleness.” Both Karen and Andre Bowlding are excited about the book’s success but neither anticipated how busy Karen Bowlding would become. Karen Bowlding averages two to three book signings a month and has had two radio interviews in Baltimore so far. She is also working simultaneously on two yet-to-be titled books. ‘‘I attend church at the Soul Factory [in Forestville], I’m married and I have a full time job,” she said. ‘‘Things have been going well and I have definitely been busy, but I have to take the time to find a balance in everything.” E-mail Brooke N. Garner a bgarner@gazette.net. http://www.gazette.net/stories/052506/enteboo171521_31965.shtml Capital Bookfest 2007 “Strengthening Families Through Reading” Lily Milliner “Gets the Story Behind the Story” On Saturday, October 6, 2007 -the Capital BookFest returned to the Blvd at the Cap Centre in Largo, MD. The Festival Producer - Kwame Alexander the creator of the Book-in-a Day Program facilitated this stellar event attended by over 5,000 local residents. Higher Ground FM was able to interview renowned and emerging authors --whose writings are clearly making a difference here and abroad. Living In Autumn While Preparing For Spring: The Journey Towards Marriage is a book Lily already had in her collection. A friend of both Karen and Lily made sure she had it for her last birthday. Lily had an opportunity to hear first hand the “Story Behind the Story” as Karen shared why she wrote this book. She guides you to understanding what to do when the glow of courtship must be replaced by the daily responsibilities of marriage. http://www.blessforever.paracentral.biz/albums/album_image/5104984/1515188.htm Thursday, May 25, 2006 Our Greatest Weakness Is Addressed In New Book AAEA has been aware of Karen Bowlding, left, and her environmental work for twenty years and now she has inked a new book that could help in solving one of the black community's most serious problems: the breakdown of the nuclear family unit. The results of this breakdown are apparent and have exponentially increased the environmental damage from a much more volatile dysfunctional tenth in our community. Mrs. Bowlding's book, ‘‘Living in Autumn While Preparing for Spring: The Journey Towards Marriage,” is featured in the Prince Georges Gazette. Read the book. Get married. Raise children. Work hard. Improve our community BOOK REVIEW Living in Autumn While Preparing for Spring: The Journey Towards Marriage Being a single Christian in today’s society brings many questions and challenges. In a world that places self-fulfillment over accountability, many people in search of love are not confident about which way to go. While a Christian man or woman’s sincere desire may be to do things God’s way, the battle is so often lost to fleshly desires in the form of lust, loneliness, rebelliousness, etc. Living in Autumn While Preparing for Spring: The Journey Towards Marriage by Karen C. Bowlding is an excellent guide for those on this type journey. This personable narrative not only puts the various aspects of living as a single Christian into perspective but it also offers reasonable, applicable solutions that are biblically sound. The author carefully lays out the basic Christian foundations and standards by which a single person should live by, whether they are contemplating marriage or not. Issues such as character, lifestyle, background and past experiences are all dealt with in a way as to confront and determine where you are in your life and what type of relationship you have with God. The book addresses the warning signs and pitfalls of the single life, how they can be avoided and the benefit of fully relying upon God in those trying times. With emphasis on introspection and revelation of self by the Holy Spirit, Bowlding offers great scriptural advice as well as encouragement by featuring the personal testimonies of fellow single Christians. The next section of the “journey” addresses the instinctive differences between the sexes: women vs. men and why we are prone to think and deal with things the way we do. Without a doubt, in relationships, we can better understand and communicate with each other if we see ourselves through the eyes of our mate (or potential mate). Most fittingly, the next areas focus on the actual “relationship phase”. Courting (getting to know you – initial level), Engagement (getting to know you more – mid-level) and Marriage Partnership (final level-total commitment). Christian dating practices such as having “accountability partners” are further examined and offered as a viable option for dodging temptation during courting and engagement. And in the brief exploration of the marriage partnership, which helps both the single and married, key issues such as agreement, priorities, the place for extended family/friends and individuality are dealt with accordingly. Finally Bowlding ends the book on a special note by providing an open, honest view of her marriage. The input from both Karen and her husband Andre allow the reader to aptly follow the progression of God’s true desire for us when it comes to marriage - which is to (1) love him first (2) know who we are in him and then (3) develop a firm, trusting foundation with the person that he has designated for us. Living in Autumn While Preparing for Spring is an effective marriage preparation tool that offers sound, realistic truths without being overly harsh or “preachy”. With its easy-to –follow style, flowing progression of topics and various reference points (including end-of-chapter reflections, scriptures for meditation and information charts) this book is an excellent resource for any premarital group, whether in or outside of the confines of a church setting. This book ultimately teaches that marriage was not designed to complete us, but instead complement our lives according to God’s plan. Devalyn M. Kirkman, WeAreFearless.com Book Reviewer ARTICLE Why Do I Want To Be Married By Karen Bowlding Why not? God is the creator of marriage. Genesis 2:18 says, “The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone, I will make a helper suitable for him.” God has given you the desire to marry, however, there are times in this single walk where you will become discouraged being single. The problem begins when your life is centered on marriage; longing so much so that your focus is off. Instead of pursuing God’s purpose for your life, you are at a standstill; doing nothing while you wait for your husband to show up. Being single is not a disease, curse or affliction. For some, it is a temporary state. For others, God may have specifically called and set you apart for the joyous life of single-hood. Being unmarried does not mean that you are inferior, insignificant, lacking or not complete. God calls the vast majority of singles to marry. A select few are chosen for singleness. In that, know that being single is a God-ordained gift. Certain thoughts or events may trigger feelings of discontentment. You may think, “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.” Any event or program that relates to marriage, courting couples or families may trigger those feelings. Romantic movies, television programs, music or even a moonlit sky may set you up to go through emotions upheaval. There is a way to overcome the blues: Be still before God: stop fellowshipping with negative thoughts and praise God for who He is and what He has already done for you. Cease complaining and grumbling. Rejoice in the Lord. He is your strength and He will enable you to make it through. Pray when the feelings hit: Ask God to comfort you and give you peace in your heart. Pray that His perfect will to be done, for your heart to line up with that will and for the wisdom to make it through. Take the focus off yourself: Call a friend, relieve a single parent, take a teenager out or volunteer. Get involved: Seek your God-ordained purpose, either in ministry or career. If you want to go back to school to further your education, by all means do so. If you are interested in becoming an entrepreneur, then get started. Walk in His will for your life. To wait on God means to patiently wait on Him to satisfy the longing within your heart. To wait is to remain unmoving until something anticipated occurs, to be accessible or in readiness, to be deferred or delayed, Waiting patiently is persevering, being steadfast, enduring delay without objection, animosity or complaint. For most women, especially those who have been waiting for what seems like eternity, waiting patiently is wearisome. But God says in Psalm 37:71, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;” Discontentment is not the time to lose focus and go into a search for a husband. This is really the time to be quiet and get closer to God. You are at a unique time in your life where you have the greatest opportunity to have undisturbed fellowship and communion with Him. Your relationship with God will be greatly enhanced if you take advantage of this season and relish the moments of solitude, building a crucial dialogue with your Father in Heaven, one that will carry you through all eternity. As for some discontent singles, it is easy to fall prey to someone telling them that their mate is coming and all they have to do is either increase their giving beyond what God has already told them or that they have to do an insane act to get God to come through for them. Family and friends, oftentimes with good intentions, can lead you astray. It is essential to stay grounded in God to take hold of your anxiety in this area. Be careful not to fall for the false hope. Believe me when I say, it is worth the wait when God orchestrates your marriage. The parable of the ten virgins illustrated in Matthew 25:1-14 reveals the level of awareness and proactive preparation that you should be in the midst of – for you do not know the day or the hour of your bridegroom’s arrival. Do you have you oil with you? For this example, your oil is an intimate relationship with God, the fruits of the spirit, noble character, generosity, compassion, modesty, strength, dignity, watchfulness, household caretaker, lightheartedness, discernment, wisdom speaker, productive and fear of the Lord; in essence, spiritual maturity. During the wait, if you have not yet learned and walked in these attributes, practice and mature in them now so that you may be proficient and equipped when he comes. Several women desire marriage for selfish reasons; hoping marriage will cure loneliness, fill a void, create financial stability, provide guilt-free sex or help in raising their children. Marriage is a journey for a couple to serve our God’s purpose together, ultimately to glorify Him and reflect His covenant relationship with His people. A marriage commitment is a promise and assurance to – continuously carry out the act of marriage according to God’s design. It is a resolution made in the mind and then followed by strength of the will to act accordingly. It entails a sacrificial giving of one’s complete self. A commitment to your spouse is to leave all things behind; forfeiting dependence on your parents for emotional, financial and decision-making support. Don’t be fooled. Marriage is hard work. It is not always living in romantic bliss. Allow God to put two imperfect people perfectly together. He will bring you to the man that he has made for you. In a marriage, you then will be well suited for you spouse and he well suited for you. Be encouraged! Karen Bowlding is the author of Living In Autumn While Preparing For Spring: The Journey Towards Marriage. This book will help you to learn about God’s unique blueprint for your life; establish a positive, loving relationship with God, yourself and mate; deal with issues, family histories and expectations; and evaluate your readiness for marriage.
Gazette, Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Upper Marlboro woman aids couples down the aisle
Book proves popular in helping couples prepare for life after the honeymoon
by Brooke N. Garner, Staff Writer
Karen Bowlding’s early marriage experiences with her husband, Andre,
helped motivate her to write a guide for couples who are about to marry.
Upper Marlboro resident Karen Bowlding has been married to her husband Andre for five years now but she admits that the beginning years were not easy.
‘‘We struggled in the first two years of our marriage,” Karen Bowlding, 41, said. ‘‘There were some things we hadn’t planned and didn’t talk about before we got married.”
Armed with a notebook and a pen she started writing ‘‘Living in Autumn While Preparing for Spring: The Journey Towards Marriage,” which was released in December 2005.
‘‘The books covers pretty much everything you should know and discuss before you get married — like family history, finances and insurance,” Karen Bowlding said.
‘‘Communication was the major issue in my marriage because neither of us saw communication as being important.”
Though Karen Bowlding wrote the majority of the book, husband Andre submitted a letter for the male readers describing his state of mind when he was single and what he was looking for in wife.
‘‘If we had this book once we got married, we wouldn’t have had the same problems we ran into in the beginning,” Andre Bowlding said.
‘‘This book needed to be written because it answers those marital questions that people tend to avoid.”
Karen Bowlding has been a Christian for the past 10 years and incorporates biblical scriptures and passages throughout the entire book.
‘‘This book does not come from me. It’s coming from God who created relationships,” Karen Bowlding said.
‘‘He has a blueprint for how relationships should work. If we follow the blueprint I believe it would help us out in our relationships.”
Though the book has been out for less than six months, Karen Bowlding said that she has received excellent feedback.
‘‘I haven’t gotten any negative comments from people because bits of their lives and their struggles are in [the book] too,” she said. ‘‘I let them know that Christ is all the man you need and we should be looking at him, during out time of singleness.”
Both Karen and Andre Bowlding are excited about the book’s success but neither anticipated how busy Karen Bowlding would become.
Karen Bowlding averages two to three book signings a month and has had two radio interviews in Baltimore so far. She is also working simultaneously on two yet-to-be titled books.
‘‘I attend church at the Soul Factory [in Forestville], I’m married and I have a full time job,” she said.
‘‘Things have been going well and I have definitely been busy, but I have to take the time to find a balance in everything.”
E-mail Brooke N. Garner a bgarner@gazette.net.
http://www.gazette.net/stories/052506/enteboo171521_31965.shtml
Capital Bookfest 2007 “Strengthening Families Through Reading”
Lily Milliner “Gets the Story Behind the Story”
On Saturday, October 6, 2007 -the Capital BookFest returned to the Blvd at the Cap Centre in Largo, MD. The Festival Producer - Kwame Alexander the creator of the Book-in-a Day Program facilitated this stellar event attended by over 5,000 local residents. Higher Ground FM was able to interview renowned and emerging authors --whose writings are clearly making a difference here and abroad.
Living In Autumn While Preparing For Spring: The Journey Towards Marriage is a book Lily already had in her collection. A friend of both Karen and Lily made sure she had it for her last birthday. Lily had an opportunity to hear first hand the “Story Behind the Story” as Karen shared why she wrote this book. She guides you to understanding what to do when the glow of courtship must be replaced by the daily responsibilities of marriage.
http://www.blessforever.paracentral.biz/albums/album_image/5104984/1515188.htm
AAEA has been aware of Karen Bowlding, left, and her environmental work for twenty years and now she has inked a new book that could help in solving one of the black community's most serious problems: the breakdown of the nuclear family unit. The results of this breakdown are apparent and have exponentially increased the environmental damage from a much more volatile dysfunctional tenth in our community. Mrs. Bowlding's book, ‘‘Living in Autumn While Preparing for Spring: The Journey Towards Marriage,” is featured in the Prince Georges Gazette. Read the book. Get married. Raise children. Work hard. Improve our community
BOOK REVIEW
Being a single Christian in today’s society brings many questions and challenges. In a world that places self-fulfillment over accountability, many people in search of love are not confident about which way to go. While a Christian man or woman’s sincere desire may be to do things God’s way, the battle is so often lost to fleshly desires in the form of lust, loneliness, rebelliousness, etc.
Living in Autumn While Preparing for Spring: The Journey Towards Marriage by Karen C. Bowlding is an excellent guide for those on this type journey.
The author carefully lays out the basic Christian foundations and standards by which a single person should live by, whether they are contemplating marriage or not. Issues such as character, lifestyle, background and past experiences are all dealt with in a way as to confront and determine where you are in your life and what type of relationship you have with God.
The book addresses the warning signs and pitfalls of the single life, how they can be avoided and the benefit of fully relying upon God in those trying times. With emphasis on introspection and revelation of self by the Holy Spirit, Bowlding offers great scriptural advice as well as encouragement by featuring the personal testimonies of fellow single Christians.
The next section of the “journey” addresses the instinctive differences between the sexes: women vs. men and why we are prone to think and deal with things the way we do. Without a doubt, in relationships, we can better understand and communicate with each other if we see ourselves through the eyes of our mate (or potential mate).
Most fittingly, the next areas focus on the actual “relationship phase”. Courting (getting to know you – initial level), Engagement (getting to know you more – mid-level) and Marriage Partnership (final level-total commitment). Christian dating practices such as having “accountability partners” are further examined and offered as a viable option for dodging temptation during courting and engagement. And in the brief exploration of the marriage partnership, which helps both the single and married, key issues such as agreement, priorities, the place for extended family/friends and individuality are dealt with accordingly.
Finally Bowlding ends the book on a special note by providing an open, honest view of her marriage. The input from both Karen and her husband Andre allow the reader to aptly follow the progression of God’s true desire for us when it comes to marriage - which is to (1) love him first (2) know who we are in him and then (3) develop a firm, trusting foundation with the person that he has designated for us.
Living in Autumn While Preparing for Spring is an effective marriage preparation tool that offers sound, realistic truths without being overly harsh or “preachy”. With its easy-to –follow style, flowing progression of topics and various reference points (including end-of-chapter reflections, scriptures for meditation and information charts) this book is an excellent resource for any premarital group, whether in or outside of the confines of a church setting. This book ultimately teaches that marriage was not designed to complete us, but instead complement our lives according to God’s plan. Devalyn M. Kirkman, WeAreFearless.com Book Reviewer
ARTICLE
Why Do I Want To Be Married
By Karen Bowlding
Why not? God is the creator of marriage. Genesis 2:18 says, “The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone, I will make a helper suitable for him.” God has given you the desire to marry, however, there are times in this single walk where you will become discouraged being single. The problem begins when your life is centered on marriage; longing so much so that your focus is off. Instead of pursuing God’s purpose for your life, you are at a standstill; doing nothing while you wait for your husband to show up.
Being single is not a disease, curse or affliction. For some, it is a temporary state. For others, God may have specifically called and set you apart for the joyous life of single-hood. Being unmarried does not mean that you are inferior, insignificant, lacking or not complete. God calls the vast majority of singles to marry. A select few are chosen for singleness. In that, know that being single is a God-ordained gift.
Certain thoughts or events may trigger feelings of discontentment. You may think, “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.” Any event or program that relates to marriage, courting couples or families may trigger those feelings. Romantic movies, television programs, music or even a moonlit sky may set you up to go through emotions upheaval.
There is a way to overcome the blues:
Be still before God: stop fellowshipping with negative thoughts and praise God for who He is and what He has already done for you. Cease complaining and grumbling. Rejoice in the Lord. He is your strength and He will enable you to make it through.
Pray when the feelings hit: Ask God to comfort you and give you peace in your heart. Pray that His perfect will to be done, for your heart to line up with that will and for the wisdom to make it through.
Take the focus off yourself: Call a friend, relieve a single parent, take a teenager out or volunteer.
Get involved: Seek your God-ordained purpose, either in ministry or career. If you want to go back to school to further your education, by all means do so. If you are interested in becoming an entrepreneur, then get started. Walk in His will for your life.
To wait on God means to patiently wait on Him to satisfy the longing within your heart. To wait is to remain unmoving until something anticipated occurs, to be accessible or in readiness, to be deferred or delayed, Waiting patiently is persevering, being steadfast, enduring delay without objection, animosity or complaint. For most women, especially those who have been waiting for what seems like eternity, waiting patiently is wearisome. But God says in Psalm 37:71, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;”
Discontentment is not the time to lose focus and go into a search for a husband. This is really the time to be quiet and get closer to God. You are at a unique time in your life where you have the greatest opportunity to have undisturbed fellowship and communion with Him. Your relationship with God will be greatly enhanced if you take advantage of this season and relish the moments of solitude, building a crucial dialogue with your Father in Heaven, one that will carry you through all eternity.
As for some discontent singles, it is easy to fall prey to someone telling them that their mate is coming and all they have to do is either increase their giving beyond what God has already told them or that they have to do an insane act to get God to come through for them. Family and friends, oftentimes with good intentions, can lead you astray. It is essential to stay grounded in God to take hold of your anxiety in this area. Be careful not to fall for the false hope. Believe me when I say, it is worth the wait when God orchestrates your marriage.
The parable of the ten virgins illustrated in Matthew 25:1-14 reveals the level of awareness and proactive preparation that you should be in the midst of – for you do not know the day or the hour of your bridegroom’s arrival. Do you have you oil with you? For this example, your oil is an intimate relationship with God, the fruits of the spirit, noble character, generosity, compassion, modesty, strength, dignity, watchfulness, household caretaker, lightheartedness, discernment, wisdom speaker, productive and fear of the Lord; in essence, spiritual maturity. During the wait, if you have not yet learned and walked in these attributes, practice and mature in them now so that you may be proficient and equipped when he comes.
Several women desire marriage for selfish reasons; hoping marriage will cure loneliness, fill a void, create financial stability, provide guilt-free sex or help in raising their children. Marriage is a journey for a couple to serve our God’s purpose together, ultimately to glorify Him and reflect His covenant relationship with His people. A marriage commitment is a promise and assurance to – continuously carry out the act of marriage according to God’s design. It is a resolution made in the mind and then followed by strength of the will to act accordingly. It entails a sacrificial giving of one’s complete self. A commitment to your spouse is to leave all things behind; forfeiting dependence on your parents for emotional, financial and decision-making support. Don’t be fooled. Marriage is hard work. It is not always living in romantic bliss.
Allow God to put two imperfect people perfectly together. He will bring you to the man that he has made for you. In a marriage, you then will be well suited for you spouse and he well suited for you. Be encouraged!
Karen Bowlding is the author of Living In Autumn While Preparing For Spring: The Journey Towards Marriage. This book will help you to learn about God’s unique blueprint for your life; establish a positive, loving relationship with God, yourself and mate; deal with issues, family histories and expectations; and evaluate your readiness for marriage.