a little southern grace : intentional relationships

I have been following Jen Smith from Unveiled Wife for years. Her encouraging prayers & stories helped Jacob and I through some really trying months when I was rotating. A few months after I started A Little Southern Grace, she even gave me the opportunity to do a review for her 30 Day Wife After God Devotional last year. So, when I found out she was writing a book about her entire story - I just couldn't wait to get my hands on it.

A few months ago - I had the honor of being picked to help Jen launch the most genuine, stripped down, emotional marriage book I've ever read. From the get go - she shares her unmet expectations of marriage to eventually the unmet expectations of their wedding night. Christians don't like to talk about intimacy but in Unveiled Wife Book Jen bravely embraces this platform to heal other broken marriages.

Every couple has regrets, ugly fights, their own set of crosses to bear. But social media leads us to believe that we're different. That OUR marriage is the only one that faces these types of problems. That OUR marriage isn't good enough. That OUR spouse isn't spontaneous enough. That OUR life isn't what WE deserve. That OUR marriage couldn't possibly come back from this...because didn't you see on Facebook that so & so got divorced?? This. Is. Toxic. And the most heartbreaking thing is; sometimes we are the most lonely surrounded by other Christians.

The lack of transparency within friendships, marriages, families is nothing new. No one wants to talk about the problems in a marriage. No one wants to address the sin in the darkest places of our hearts. When we feel our "secret sin" is about to be exposed - we retreat; from our spouse and from God. We avoid God out of guilt, out of shame & many times lack of faith. In her book, Jen not only talks about her problems, she conquers them & grabs your hand to start down the path of transformation with her

. How lucky are we to ride that roller coaster with her??

She had me on the edge of my seat, seeking to put together another piece in the Aaron & Jen puzzle. She exposes her heart in it's rawest form. She strips away the shame & makes marriage problems seem fixable...with Christ. She intimately shares the transformation of her heart and what it truly means to be unveiled.

Visit http://unveiledwife.com for more information on ordering and ways to learn more about Jen's marriage ministry.

About Jen:

Jennifer Smith began UnveiledWife.com, a web-based ministry for wives, in March 2011. She publishes weekly marriage articles including encouragements, devotions, and prayers of the day. She authored The Unveiled Wife, Wife After God, and 31 Prayers For My Husband. She is passionately devoted to encouraging wives all around the world to develop God-centered marriages. Jennifer and her family reside in Central Oregon.

Social media is a large part of Jennifer’s ministry for Unveiled Wife via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, where she serves a community of over 450,000 wives. Connect with Jennifer on social media @unveiledwife!

Find Jen On:

xoxo,

Amanda

Thanksgiving is such an amazing holiday...especially for my family. Since we are all scattered all over the place, thanksgiving is our Christmas too. I look forward to it all year long!

So this year I made a decision that I would be ALL there. Meaning for me - no Instagram, Snapchat, Blogger or Bloglovin while I'm spending time with my family later this week.

Recently I've felt very convicted to be intentional about my relationships and interactions with others and I thought; what a more perfect place to test that out than with my own family?

How can you truly treasure those memorable late night talks & laughs with those closest to you if you're sending random snaps to people you never talk to in person? How can you be a shoulder to cry or listening ear for a cousin in need if you're constantly checking insta for likes?

Thanksgiving is not about Black Friday, it's not about turkey or stuffing or pie. It's about cherishing those closest to you. It's about showering graciousness on those who love you in your valleys and peaks. It's about glorifying God and all the blessings he's poured out over us. It's about appreciating your crazy uncles awkward quirks...because that's who God made him to be. It's about gratitude. It's about grace. Wherever you are - be all there. This Thanksgiving I'll be all there so that those most important to me know they are a priority.

So this thanksgiving I challenge you to this; whether you're chopping for stuffing, setting the table, watching football, sitting by the fire with a glass of wine (or bottle with my family), or playing an intense game of Yahtzee...be all there.

Let's unplug together this thanksgiving & catch up on Monday. Until then,

xoxo

Amanda