MERCY

09/06/2026

Shaunti Feldhahn

3 days ago
·
Why are two little words—"I'm sorry"— sometimes so remarkably hard to say?
We may know we hurt our spouse, but then that little voice starts up: "But I didn't mean it that way." Or, "Well, they did something wrong, too." (Surely I'm not the only one who has those thoughts!)
But there is something powerful about setting aside our defenses and sincerely owning our part.
And a good apology doesn't end with the words "I'm sorry." It includes a willingness to change—and a desire to reconnect.
In fact, our research found that 70% of highly happy marriages have some way of signaling "we're okay" after conflict. For some it's a touch or a look. For others, it might even be an inside joke.
So what else might we be missing about the little phrase "I'm sorry"? I'm sharing four things that can help turn an apology into a marriage superpower in this week's blog.
Read the full post here: https://bit.ly/4gz4cEC See less

09/06/2026

Growing Your Marriage
5 hours ago
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𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗞𝗻𝗲𝗲-𝘁𝗼-𝗞𝗻𝗲𝗲. 𝘚𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 – 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 & 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯
Connection doesn't happen simply because we live under the same roof. It grows when we keep talking, listening, staying curious, and creating a safe place for each other to be known.
This month, we'll talk about staying close, having the conversations that aren't always easy, understanding our differences, and taking an honest look at how we're doing.
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱
Feeling connected is that sense that we're close, we're enjoying each other, and we're still paying attention to "us."
Connection doesn't usually happen through one big moment. It grows when we keep turning toward each other in the little ones—talking, laughing, touching, showing affection, doing things together, and giving each other our full attention.
Being devoted to one another means continuing to notice and choose each other in the middle of everyday life.
𝘛𝘢𝘬𝘦 10–15 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬. 𝘚𝘪𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘦-𝘵𝘰-𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘦.
𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯. 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯. 𝘓𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭.
1. What are some moments—big or small—when you feel especially connected to me?
2. When life gets busy, what tends to make you feel disconnected from me?
3. What's one simple thing we could do more intentionally this week to help us stay close?
Want another practical reminder? Go back and check out our March 29 Time to Talk post on the 4 Connection Points. Those four little moments in your day can make a big difference in staying connected.
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬, 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯. 𝘊𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦—𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬, 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩, 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩, 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯, 𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.
𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘴 12:10
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” See less

09/05/2026

Grace Marriage
a day ago
·
One of the best gifts you can give your kids is a strong marriage.
Family time matters, and so does time for just the two of you. Keep dating. Keep talking. Keep making space to enjoy each other.
Investing in your marriage is an investment in your whole family. See less

09/05/2026

Marriage Dynamics Institute
3 days ago
·
A New Beginning Workshop is a three-day experience designed to help couples reconnect, communicate more clearly, and take meaningful steps toward healing together.
Why consider A New Beginning?
• 3 out of 4 couples who attend stay together and report renewed happiness and satisfaction in their marriage.
• The interactive format helps couples immediately put what they learn into practice.
• Many counselors refer couples to the workshop to help jumpstart the counseling process.
• 95% of couples who attend say they would recommend A New Beginning to others.
📅 September 18–20, 2026
📍Nashville, TN
Get Started Here ⤵️
https://savemymarriage.com/get-started... See less

09/05/2026

Capernaum Care
2 hours ago
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💕 INVEST IN YOUR MARRIAGE 💕
Capernaum Care is excited to announce that Todd and Carrie Claypool will be teaching and leading an upcoming Marriage Retreat hosted by MERCY!
This retreat is designed to give couples an opportunity to step away from the busyness of everyday life and intentionally invest in their relationship.
Throughout Friday evening and Saturday, couples will participate in practical teaching, interactive workbook activities, videos, breakout sessions, and meaningful conversations designed to strengthen communication and connection.
Todd and Carrie will share practical relationship and communication skills, all grounded in biblical principles.
Whether your marriage is doing well and you want to continue growing together, or you simply need time to reconnect and refocus, this retreat is for you.
Strong marriages do not happen by accident. They are built through intentional time, communication, grace, and commitment.
We hope you will join us for this special weekend hosted by MERCY!
Tag your spouse or another couple who might enjoy investing in their marriage! ❤️ See less

09/05/2026

On September 10, support MERCY's mission to strengthen marriages and families through Christ-centered education and mentoring. Your contributions provide scholarships, host events, and train mentors, making a lasting impact on relationships. Join us in making a difference.

https://conta.cc/4xchZ95

Email from The Marriage Education and Resource Center (MERCY) Strengthen Marriages and Families!     Give for Good is September 10, 2026! (12:00 AM - 11:59 PM) MERCY'S mission is simple: to help stren

09/03/2026

Understanding Your Pain & Peace Cycle
Wednesdays, Oct 7 - Nov 11 - 6:30 pm -
Across six sessions, couples learn how conflict patterns form through the Pain Cycle, how love and trust deepen connection, how to shift into the Peace Cycle, and how to use the practical “Four Steps” to break unhealthy patterns.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3OLOkT7RBw&t=146s
Register here:
https://www.marriageatmerci.org/upcomingev.../painpeacecycle See less

09/03/2026

09/03/2026

From brokenness to purpose! Join a weekend getaway for couples in Louisville!
https://conta.cc/4xTZNCt

09/02/2026

From Marriage Matters