ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU

Ralph Sorter

   Sometimes a counselor doesn’t need to teach a new principle…but what he would like to do is nail a principle already taught to a 2 x 4 and hit them between the eyes with it a few times.  Bad habits are hard to change, like removing a stubborn nut from a bolt with STP all over it!

   Some people don’t change because they don’t know how.  The lucky ones are those who make the changes once they are taught a new approach.  But the best life principles in the world won’t change a diddilysquat if you don’t work at applying it!   Training in skills is pointless unless we practice them.

   A frustrated spouse that is tired of running into the same issues every day has only so much will-power to hang in there for a better day.  If improvement isn’t in sight, they may resign themselves to a cold relationship, or become the martyr and accept the blame so as to get out of the argument, or the bitterness leads to damaging the relationship even more, or they roll up the carpet and have the attorney deliver the divorce papers.

   So my question is, how many of you applied the principles already taught in these inserts?  Do you read them, smile and then go home to the same old scenario?  Or do you work at changing what the Holy Spirit convicts your heart that you need to change? What good is it to watch televised aerobics while potato chips accumulate on your sweatshirt?

   I know one man who has saved every one of these inserts.  I’m tempted to ask his wife if it has done any good.

   So that leads to one more potential life-changing principle: Rust never sleeps…a skill left idle will erode with time…we either use it or lose it!

A Message from HOPE’S

Marriage & Family Ministry

ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU

Ralph Sorter

   Sometimes a counselor doesn’t need to teach a new principle…but what he would like to do is nail a principle already taught to a 2 x 4 and hit them between the eyes with it a few times.  Bad habits are hard to change, like removing a stubborn nut from a bolt with STP all over it!

   Some people don’t change because they don’t know how.  The lucky ones are those who make the changes once they are taught a new approach.  But the best life principles in the world won’t change a diddilysquat if you don’t work at applying it!   Training in skills is pointless unless we practice them.

   A frustrated spouse that is tired of running into the same issues every day has only so much will-power to hang in there for a better day.  If improvement isn’t in sight, they may resign themselves to a cold relationship, or become the martyr and accept the blame so as to get out of the argument, or the bitterness leads to damaging the relationship even more, or they roll up the carpet and have the attorney deliver the divorce papers.

   So my question is, how many of you applied the principles already taught in these inserts?  Do you read them, smile and then go home to the same old scenario?  Or do you work at changing what the Holy Spirit convicts your heart that you need to change? What good is it to watch televised aerobics while potato chips accumulate on your sweatshirt?

   I know one man who has saved every one of these inserts.  I’m tempted to ask his wife if it has done any good.

   So that leads to one more potential life-changing principle: Rust never sleeps…a skill left idle will erode with time…we either use it or lose it!

A Message from HOPE’S

Marriage & Family Ministry

ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU

Ralph Sorter

   Sometimes a counselor doesn’t need to teach a new principle…but what he would like to do is nail a principle already taught to a 2 x 4 and hit them between the eyes with it a few times.  Bad habits are hard to change, like removing a stubborn nut from a bolt with STP all over it!

   Some people don’t change because they don’t know how.  The lucky ones are those who make the changes once they are taught a new approach.  But the best life principles in the world won’t change a diddilysquat if you don’t work at applying it!   Training in skills is pointless unless we practice them.

   A frustrated spouse that is tired of running into the same issues every day has only so much will-power to hang in there for a better day.  If improvement isn’t in sight, they may resign themselves to a cold relationship, or become the martyr and accept the blame so as to get out of the argument, or the bitterness leads to damaging the relationship even more, or they roll up the carpet and have the attorney deliver the divorce papers.

   So my question is, how many of you applied the principles already taught in these inserts?  Do you read them, smile and then go home to the same old scenario?  Or do you work at changing what the Holy Spirit convicts your heart that you need to change? What good is it to watch televised aerobics while potato chips accumulate on your sweatshirt?

   I know one man who has saved every one of these inserts.  I’m tempted to ask his wife if it has done any good.

   So that leads to one more potential life-changing principle: Rust never sleeps…a skill left idle will erode with time…we either use it or lose it!

A Message from HOPE’S

Marriage & Family Ministry