Springfield Marriage & Family Institute LLC

TOGETHER WE CAN. Unrelenting financial stress in this economy can take a toll on our marriage, but it doesn't have to be that way. It can actually provide a way for our relationship to become stronger. Paradoxically, when the economy is weak, the divorce rate actually goes down since couples can't afford to pay for a divorce! This current economic situation can show both of us the areas in which we each need to take responsibility for ourselves and get better at what we’re d...oing. Instead of reacting angrily, blaming each other for there being too much month left at the end of the money, approach it as a team reaching for a goal we both have set, exploring what each of us can do better and then do it. We will experience more patience, calm and joy in the process of getting through and beyond this, emerging stronger and better together. ~W. K. See more

"AHHH, TRADITIONS. Halloween tonight, Thanksgiving in a few weeks, and Christmas and New Years Eve next month are not simply times most of us observe without thought or feeling. Traditions in the largest sense are gatherings and celebrations of our childhood, of love within generations of our family, and of memories that connect us to roles and relationships throughout our lifetime. Traditions combine the senses of sight, sound, smell, taste and touch with love, joy, peace, giving and honor. They help us define who we are as family by providing something steady, reliable and safe in an otherwise confusing world." ~W. K.

Research shows we all need a minimum of 7 hugs a day. Hugs benefit the person in every way.

THE MESSAGE: "Children, do what your parents tell you. This is only right. 'Honor your father and mother' is the first commandment that has a promise attached to it, namely, 'so you will live well and have a long life.' 4Fathers, don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master." Ephesians 6:1-4

"Enrich your marriage by giving more than your're getting. Happiness in marriage doesn't come from demanding that your spouse be attentive to your needs; rather, it is the result of selflessly serving your spouse because you have chosen to love and honor them. How would your marriage be different if, every day, both of you thought of and sought out ways to serve the other and let them know they are the most important person in your life? Two thousand years ago Jesus told the apostle Paul, 'You're far happier giving than getting.' Yeah...it's still true."~W. K.

"I often ask couples, 'When is the last time the two of you went out together, just the two of you, and did something that you both enjoy?' The longer it takes the couple to answer, the more I know the "Us" factor is being neglected. If, when they do finally speak up, and they ask 'You mean without the kids?', I am pretty certain their marriage is more about their kids than it is about the "Us" in their relationship. Mom and dad need to spend time together without the kids be...cause someday the kids will be grown and out of the house. Right along with that, the strength of the "Us" in the marriage is the stability and security of the kids while they are growing up at home. Finally, a strong "Us" in our marriage empowers the kids to leave home effectively when that time comes. So, when's the last time the two of you went out together....?" ~W. K. See more

"Children need a limited number of rules to structure their lives to be safe-guarded and effective. However, parents simply establishing rules to control their child's behavior can be counter-productive if the focus is control. The principle is: 'Rules without relationship produce rebellion; rules within a loving relationship produce respect.' Even though rules may not initially be liked, they are more likely to be embraced by children when their parents have a close relationship with them. When children understand the rules are out of a parent's continuing love and respect for them, their respect for the parent can grow." ~W. K.

"For every 100 dollars our federal government spends on assisting broken marriages and fatherless children, it spends 3 pennies on programs promoting intact, healthy marriages and families. It's obvious that intact, healthy marriages and families don't come from government; rather, they have to come from churches, couples, and individuals who believe in and promote marriage and family as God's creation. We need a strong, outspoken culture of faith who teaches, supports and defends life-long commitment and loving relationships in the covenant of marriage and family."~W. K.

"If we want to be in truly loving relationships, we have to become the person capable of living in such a relationship. Try this scripture describing Love on for size...insert you name and the appropriate pronoun in place of mine. 'W. K. is patient, W. K. is kind. He does not envy, he does not boast, he is not inflated. He is not rude, he is not self-seeking, he is not easily angered or quick-tempered, he does not brood over injury. W. K. does not delight over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. He bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. W. K. never fails.'" (1 Corinthians 13: 4-7) ~W. K.

"How we are coming across to others is huge in any relationship; especially in a marriage or family. A license plate on the car in front of me Monday had a frame that said, "Get in! Sit down! Shut up! Hang on!" The personalized license plate had "YYSUUUU". It took me a minute before I deciphered--"two wise for you". Evidently the owner of this car has, at the very best, no problem being in charge; and at the very worst, is rude, crude and condescending. Is that really how he wants others to see him?" ~W. K.

"Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you. You may give them your love but not your thoughts.... For they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday."~Kahlil Gabran See more

THE MESSAGE: Hang my locket around your neck, wear my ring on your finger. Love is invincible facing danger and death. Passion laughs at the terrors of hell.... The fire of love stops at nothing it sweeps everything before it. Flood waters can't drown love, torrents of rain can't put it out. Love can't be bought, love can't be sold it's not to be found in the marketplace. ~Song of Solomon 8:6-7 See more

THE MESSAGE: "I said to myself, "Relax and rest. GOD has showered you with blessings. Soul, you've been rescued from death; Eye, you've been rescued from tears; I'm striding in the presence of GOD, ... alive in the land of the living! I stayed faithful, though bedeviled, and despite a ton of bad luck Psa.116:7-11 See more