Choosing Hope and Faith When Life Gets Heavy

by Mary Jackson | Jan 22, 2026 | Faith & Relationships, Marriage Enrichment, Marriage Growth

Choosing Hope and Faith When Life Gets Heavy

Today I feel moved to touch on something most people only understand after they have lived a while. Hope and faith are not just nice ideas. They are things that actually show up when life gets heavy. It is easy to talk about them when everything is fine, but they become real in complicated and painful seasons when there is nothing else to lean on.

When Hope and Faith Become Real

My friend’s illness highlights this so clearly. When health, control, and certainty disappear, hope and faith do not erase the suffering. Instead, they give it meaning and direction. They become less about things turning out perfectly and more about trusting that we are not alone and that something good can still grow, even in the middle of the struggle.

Finding Meaning in Illness and Uncertainty

In seasons like this, hope and faith take on a deeper shape. They remind us that hardship does not define the end of the story. Even when answers are unclear and the road feels overwhelming, faith allows us to keep moving forward, believing that God is present and working in ways we may not yet see.

How Hard Seasons Strengthen Marriage

This belief touches marriages as well. The hardest seasons often shape the deepest intimacy. When couples walk through fear, conflict, or uncertainty together and choose not to run from it, those moments can become the foundation of real unity and love. These experiences stretch us, soften us, and teach us how to truly see each other as we are. Two imperfect people learning to celebrate their differences.

Trusting God and Each Other Through the Struggle

Hope and faith may be difficult to measure or define, but they are incredibly powerful. They do not take us around the crisis. They carry us through it. On the other side, we often find a deeper kind of joy than we could have imagined before. Make the choice to focus on hope and faith, in the Lord and in each other.

Invest in Your Marriage: Upcoming Marriage Encounter Weekends

by Mary Jackson | Sep 22, 2025 | Marriage Growth, Marriage Retreats Near Me, Marriages

Most people are quick to invest in their jobs, their health, even their hobbies, but when it comes to marriage, it’s easy to assume it will just take care of itself. The truth is, relationships don’t thrive on autopilot. Just like muscles get stronger with exercise or skills sharpen with practice, a marriage grows deeper and healthier when it’s intentionally nurtured.

Think about it—if someone ignored their career, they’d quickly fall behind. If they stopped exercising or eating well, their health would suffer. Marriage is no different. It needs regular attention, communication, laughter, forgiveness, and time together. Without that, it can easily slip into routine or even distance without anyone realizing it.

The good news is, “working on your marriage” doesn’t have to feel like a chore. It can be as simple as setting aside quality time, going on date nights, sharing daily gratitude, or learning new ways to connect. Sometimes, it also means digging deeper—taking part in retreats, workshops, or just having those honest, sometimes hard, conversations.

In the end, it’s about seeing your marriage as something worth protecting, strengthening, and celebrating. After all, when the relationship is strong, it overflows into every other part of life—family, work, health, spirituality—while creating deep joy.

This is a wonderful opportunity for couples to step away from the busyness of life and focus on each other—whether they’re newly married, celebrating decades together, or anywhere in between.

👉 Please consider encouraging family, friends, and co-workers to join us on October 11–12 or December 6–7. A Marriage Encounter weekend can truly be life-giving and hope filling!

Registration is open now at www.marriages.org.

@ marriageencounter

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Join the MN Marriage Encounter Community: Strengthening Marriages and Sharing the Gift of Love

by Mary Jackson | Nov 21, 2024 | Commitment and Growth, Events and Fundraising, Marriage Growth, Marriage Insights, Marriages, Volunteer Opportunities

Awesome Opportunity: Strengthen Marriages as a Team Couple

At MN Marriage Encounter, we are blessed to have an amazing group of Team Couples. These couples are committed to the philosophy: “Our messy marriages are our message.” By sharing their personal stories, they help others open up and connect on a deeper level. Serving as a Team Couple allows you to grow personally and spiritually, while also making a meaningful impact on others.

Each new team couple is welcomed with open arms, regardless of where they are in their journey. Our program supports them every step of the way, ensuring they feel equipped and confident to present their talks. If you’ve participated in a Marriage Encounter, you’ve seen firsthand the power of openness and vulnerability. Now, we invite you to consider serving on a team and playing an integral role in strengthening marriages.

Many couples serve on at least one Marriage or Engaged Encounter weekend each year. As you serve, you’ll find that the experience is as enriching for you as it is for the couples who attend. The more you give, the more you receive—this is truly a partnership that strengthens everyone involved.

Board Members Needed: Join Us in Leading the Way

We’re excited to announce that after a long break due to the pandemic, MN Marriage Encounter is resurrecting our board! We’ll be meeting via Zoom three times a year, and we’re looking to add two new members to help lead the charge.

If you’re passionate about marriage enrichment and want to serve with like-minded individuals, please consider joining our board. It’s an exciting time for us, and we would love for you to be a part of this wonderful group.

For more information, please reach out to Mary at 651.454.3238 or email mary@marriages.org.

Word-of-Mouth Marketing: Help Us Spread the Word!

We’ve always believed that word-of-mouth marketing is the most powerful way to spread the message of Marriage Encounter. The couples who attend and experience our programs are our best advocates. Men, we especially encourage you to share your experience with family members, friends, or co-workers—encourage them to attend!

Here are some testimonials from couples who attended the October 19-20 Marriage Encounter:

“We agreed to spend more time communicating and watching for signs that we weren’t talking enough.”
“Very valuable and time well spent. I feel my marriage will be stronger and more fulfilling.”
“Communication, mainly what we were lacking as a couple. Honesty and trust are something we are working on. Thank you so much!”

If you’re willing to help promote our upcoming weekends, we have bulletin board posters available to distribute at your church, community center, or local stores. Please contact us at 651.454.3238 or email mary@marriages.org to request your posters.

Stocking Stuffers: The Gift of a Stronger Marriage

Looking for a thoughtful gift this holiday season? Give the gift of a Marriage Encounter or Engaged Encounter experience with our $50 and $100 Gift Certificates. You can cover the full cost of a Marriage Encounter for $375 or an Engaged Encounter for just $100.

Add Marriage Encounter or Engaged Encounter to your Christmas list today! For more information or to purchase a gift certificate, contact us at 651.454.3238 or mary@marriages.org.

Get Involved and Make a Difference

We are so grateful for your support in helping us strengthen, enrich, and save marriages. Whether you’re serving as a Team Couple, joining our board, helping with marketing, or gifting a Marriage Encounter experience, your involvement has a lasting impact.

We look forward to your continued support and hope you’ll take part in the many opportunities to serve, grow, and make a difference in the lives of couples throughout Minnesota.

Support our Scholarship Fund, Click here to donate.

Embracing Change in Marriage: Lessons from Fall

by Mary Jackson | Sep 10, 2024 | Embracing Change, Marriage Growth, Personal Development, Seasonal Reflections

Embracing Change in Marriage: Lessons from Fall

The arrival of fall vividly reminds us of nature’s cycles of change. Leaves shift from green to vibrant reds and golds, plants begin to wither, and cooler breezes fill the air. Fall mirrors the seasons of marriage, showing us that, like nature, our relationships also undergo transformations.

This season often makes us think of “falling”—whether it’s falling in love or falling out of love. Yet, marriage isn’t meant to remain static. We must recognize changes in ourselves and our partners, understanding that growth is essential for both individuals and relationships to thrive. We must strive for the marriage of our dreams.

If you find yourself reverting to old habits that no longer nurture your marriage, it might be time to change. Just as trees shed their leaves to prepare for new growth, we can let go of habits that hinder our connection. Marriages aren’t meant to be stagnant. Growth comes from deepening and evolving your bond, not just from longevity.

As fall transitions to winter, embrace change with open arms. Don’t resist or ignore it. Welcome it, knowing that each season brings opportunities for renewal, both in yourself and in your relationship. Remember, marriage, like nature, is dynamic and ever-evolving.

Thank you for reading! If you’re interested in experiencing the transformative journey of a Minnesota Marriage Encounter, we invite you to click here to view our upcoming dates. Reserve your spot today and invest in the future of your relationship with MN Marriage Encounter.