The Lord is teaching us so much this year—about ourselves, our blessings, our limitations, and the joy that comes with greater trust in Him. “2020 seems to be bringing a unique challenge to every person,” a friend of ours said the other day.
So true. We look around and like you, we are saddened to see divorce applications up 30%, depression and anxiety rates 3 times higher than where they were last year, and so many more disturbing trends. Marriage and the family are under attack from all sides.
In the 2nd week of each month, we reflect on Level 2 of a Trinity House—Person & Relationships, and we’re excited to share something encouraging. We recently stumbled upon an article entitled “Is Exhaustion Causing You to Argue with Your Spouse?“
Of course, since we rarely if ever argue, we approached the article with more of an academic perspective. Ha. In fact, we both read it, discussed it, and had an “aha” moment.
Is most marital tension driven by fatigue? we asked ourselves again (we’ve probably come to this aha moment 10 times in the past 20 years). And as we looked at our overfull life and the stress it can cause, we had to admit that if we were more careful with our way of life and expectations, it would be a lot easier to be peaceful and joyful!
So many marital issues can cause couples to doubt their love. We can find ourselves going nuclear in circumstances that just don’t warrant it. Instead of doubting the health of the relationship, how about if we look at our life and realize that modern-day frenzy and distraction, busyness, and overblown expectations—of everything from home decor to climbing the ladder at work—are often the real problem?
Certainly, there are times when there are deeper issues to explore, but in many situations, maybe the solution is to take some goals and expectations off the table. Human beings weren’t made to live in an overly-complex world of distractions with desires for all sorts of things we don’t actually need. Is it any wonder that our relationships can take a hit?
The heart of Level 2 rests in our identities as beloved, adopted children of our Triune God, made in His image and likeness. The three persons of the Trinity invite us into a life of interpersonal communion, self-gift, and generosity. As icons of the Trinity, our marriages and families can be beacons in a broken world.
But if any of this splendor is to be revealed, we first—as limited beings—need to adopt a reasonable way of life and give one another a break!
Heaven in Your Home Toolkit
Speaking of fatigue… In “The Pandemic Has Meant Less Sleep for Americans,” a study conducted over the summer revealed that “even after the lockdown, 68 percent of Americans feel stress or find it hard to sleep.” 67% of Americans reported that their sleep was healthier before the lockdown.
“Emotional Exhaustion During Times of Unrest,” a Mayo Clinic article, points to large numbers of people who are experiencing “a state of feeling emotionally worn out and drained.”
Fr. Jacques Philippe writes, “When we take family life seriously, when we really want to love those around us, very often we are obliged to ask for this grace from God. We say, ‘Lord, you see my limits, my hardness of heart, and only you can help me.’ Your heart is limited, but thankfully God’s is overabundant. He is rich in mercy, and if we ask for this grace, He will help us little by little to truly love.”
“What is Burnout and How Can You Prevent It?” at Aleteia offers some helpful insights.
As we’ve mentioned before, the For Your Marriage website offers a trove of resources related to healthy communication in your marriage.
“When I consented to my own poverty, when I accepted my limitations, that is when God began to work within me,” wrote Jeanne Scheuerman, the mother of a friend of ours in a Rosary meditation. Jeanne, a mother of six, entered eternity on Sept. 30, 2020, after a battle with cancer, and we have both been blessed by her witness in this meditation. She continued, “When we can do no more, and we surrender to God, that is when He can do His work. Jesus said to me, ‘I am giving you all you need in the present moment. I will never cease to provide what you and your loved ones need most.'” Amen!
Enjoying the weekly Heaven in Your Home Letter in your inbox? Share it with a friend and encourage them to sign up to receive this weekly boost of inspiration and practical tools! Signing up takes just a few seconds at www.trinityhousecommunity.org.
Coming Soon…
On Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10am-3pm, we’ll both be at Trinity House Cafe as we celebrate the cafe’s 6th anniversary since opening! Join us and other friends of the cafe by stopping by anytime to say hi, enjoy a drink, tasty meal, or a slice of birthday cake which we’ll enjoy for the cafe’s 6th.
Haven’t had the chance yet to participate in our Heaven in Your Home Workshop? Or are you in need of a refresh? Sign-up (free) here for our next livestream workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 8-9:30 p.m. (EST), streamed live from Trinity House Cafe.
Testimonial
“Trinity House draws us closer to each other, to family and to the Church. It encourages quiet moments of rest, reflection and prayer—an evangelizing presence in a noisy world.” —Msgr. John Cregan, Diocese of Arlington
Please Join Us In Prayer
So true. We look around and like you, we are saddened to see divorce applications up 30%, depression and anxiety rates 3 times higher than where they were last year, and so many more disturbing trends. Marriage and the family are under attack from all sides.
In the 2nd week of each month, we reflect on Level 2 of a Trinity House—Person & Relationships, and we’re excited to share something encouraging. We recently stumbled upon an article entitled “Is Exhaustion Causing You to Argue with Your Spouse?“
Of course, since we rarely if ever argue, we approached the article with more of an academic perspective. Ha. In fact, we both read it, discussed it, and had an “aha” moment.
Is most marital tension driven by fatigue? we asked ourselves again (we’ve probably come to this aha moment 10 times in the past 20 years). And as we looked at our overfull life and the stress it can cause, we had to admit that if we were more careful with our way of life and expectations, it would be a lot easier to be peaceful and joyful!
So many marital issues can cause couples to doubt their love. We can find ourselves going nuclear in circumstances that just don’t warrant it. Instead of doubting the health of the relationship, how about if we look at our life and realize that modern-day frenzy and distraction, busyness, and overblown expectations—of everything from home decor to climbing the ladder at work—are often the real problem?
Certainly, there are times when there are deeper issues to explore, but in many situations, maybe the solution is to take some goals and expectations off the table. Human beings weren’t made to live in an overly-complex world of distractions with desires for all sorts of things we don’t actually need. Is it any wonder that our relationships can take a hit?
The heart of Level 2 rests in our identities as beloved, adopted children of our Triune God, made in His image and likeness. The three persons of the Trinity invite us into a life of interpersonal communion, self-gift, and generosity. As icons of the Trinity, our marriages and families can be beacons in a broken world.
But if any of this splendor is to be revealed, we first—as limited beings—need to adopt a reasonable way of life and give one another a break!
Heaven in Your Home Toolkit
Speaking of fatigue… In “The Pandemic Has Meant Less Sleep for Americans,” a study conducted over the summer revealed that “even after the lockdown, 68 percent of Americans feel stress or find it hard to sleep.” 67% of Americans reported that their sleep was healthier before the lockdown.
“Emotional Exhaustion During Times of Unrest,” a Mayo Clinic article, points to large numbers of people who are experiencing “a state of feeling emotionally worn out and drained.”
Fr. Jacques Philippe writes, “When we take family life seriously, when we really want to love those around us, very often we are obliged to ask for this grace from God. We say, ‘Lord, you see my limits, my hardness of heart, and only you can help me.’ Your heart is limited, but thankfully God’s is overabundant. He is rich in mercy, and if we ask for this grace, He will help us little by little to truly love.”
“What is Burnout and How Can You Prevent It?” at Aleteia offers some helpful insights.
As we’ve mentioned before, the For Your Marriage website offers a trove of resources related to healthy communication in your marriage.
“When I consented to my own poverty, when I accepted my limitations, that is when God began to work within me,” wrote Jeanne Scheuerman, the mother of a friend of ours in a Rosary meditation. Jeanne, a mother of six, entered eternity on Sept. 30, 2020, after a battle with cancer, and we have both been blessed by her witness in this meditation. She continued, “When we can do no more, and we surrender to God, that is when He can do His work. Jesus said to me, ‘I am giving you all you need in the present moment. I will never cease to provide what you and your loved ones need most.'” Amen!
Enjoying the weekly Heaven in Your Home Letter in your inbox? Share it with a friend and encourage them to sign up to receive this weekly boost of inspiration and practical tools! Signing up takes just a few seconds at www.trinityhousecommunity.org.
Coming Soon…
On Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10am-3pm, we’ll both be at Trinity House Cafe as we celebrate the cafe’s 6th anniversary since opening! Join us and other friends of the cafe by stopping by anytime to say hi, enjoy a drink, tasty meal, or a slice of birthday cake which we’ll enjoy for the cafe’s 6th.
Haven’t had the chance yet to participate in our Heaven in Your Home Workshop? Or are you in need of a refresh? Sign-up (free) here for our next livestream workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 8-9:30 p.m. (EST), streamed live from Trinity House Cafe.
Testimonial
“Trinity House draws us closer to each other, to family and to the Church. It encourages quiet moments of rest, reflection and prayer—an evangelizing presence in a noisy world.” —Msgr. John Cregan, Diocese of Arlington
Please Join Us In Prayer
- For healing for those struggling with COVID-19, and for strength and safety for all medical personnel;
- For forgiveness for the times when we have failed to love and respect one another, and for healing from racism;
- For all those impacted by the West Coast fires, and for all those battling these fires;
- For all students, that they might grow in wisdom, age and grace in this academic year;
- For all individuals and families, that they might deepen their roots in the love of Jesus Christ during this time of uncertainty;
- For the staff and ministry of Trinity House Cafe, and all Heaven in Your Home Workshop participants;
- For unity and healing in our nation, and for wisdom for all public officials;
- For all parents, that they may be refreshed and renewed on a daily basis by the Lord in prayer, as they seek to lead their families through the uncertainties of this time.
In Christ,Soren & Ever Johnson
Founders & Directors
Trinity House Community
Making Home a Little Taste of Heaven
