Hello Lamppost

What, you ask, can possibly have pulled Yours Truly But Silent out of the abyss? An offer to review a book that actually intrigued YTBS enough to say "Yes, send me two copies, please."

What's it like to be Married to Me? (And Other Dangerous Questions)

- Linda Dillow

This book appears to be marketed towards disillusioned wives, disappointed in their marriages, longing for more passion, joy, romance, intimacy. But I would recommend this to ANY wife, satisfied or otherwise, doe-eyed newlywed or veteran soldier. Single ladies, be forewarned, you may be receiving this as a shower gift, should this happy occasion be in your future¹.

I've read my share of trite Christian "self-helpers", and was prepared to regard this as such, but thought it might be worth a go. I was most pleasantly surprised. The book begins with a familiar exercise² - imagining your own funeral - contemplating what you would want someone to say about you at the end of your life. I'll admit, in past attempts, I've struggled to get anything beyond misty ambiguity, over-spiritualized ideas and ideals. But Linda asked me what I would want my husband to say. This snapped the nebulous vapor into precise shapes pretty quickly. Words flowed freely, passionately³. This was the easy part.

The intention of the exercise is to pour a foundation on which to build a Marriage Purpose Statement. This is the not quite as easy part. I'm working on it.

The hard part is putting it all into practice. I'm working on this, too. Good thing I have the rest of my life.

Beyond the pragmatic tools, Linda offers godly wisdom and encouragment, sharing stories of marriages that have been resurrected from the ashes by the Lord's mighty work through the wives trusting their unions to Him. Women who unreservedly humble themselves, who ask not for a more loveable husband, but for a more faithful heart. The book is not a "how to have a better marriage" guide...it's a "how to love like Christ and follow Him in your marriage" guide.

It's a good book.

I plan on reading it again, more thoughtfully and prayerfully and actively. There's also a 10-12 week Bible study included that I'm going to work through⁴.

As always, you can purchase the book at Amazon.

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Is this my triumphant return to the blogosphere? We shall see. I shall say goodnight, but not goodbye, Faithful Readers.



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1. Given that we're still friends and I get invited. Or you feel obligated whether we're still friends or not...and I get invited.

2. Hello Pastor Bill!

3. Apparently, my beloved sounds a lot like me. And is just as long-winded.

4. And I have another copy, if someone's interested in going through it with me. Since I have less than two married friends that read this, I have just enough!