marriage – The Vine

Time Alone

amanda — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 01:47:56 +0000

It doesn’t mean you don’t love your family if you want time alone. The way we structure our time is a foundation of our existence that keeps us steady.

Grace and peace to you. In this time of social distancing as many of us are working from home, I am aware that at the same time that we are “social creatures” we are also “private creatures”. While we are living in this time together with family 24-7, remember that our routines of work allowed us a good bit of private-time that we may have taken for granted.

I would encourage you to make sure you have private spaces for each person in your home and make it o.k. to spend time there. It doesn’t mean you don’t love your family if you want time alone. The way we structure our time is a foundation of our existence that keeps us steady. We are also “creatures of habit”. Making new routines that include individual time can help keep you healthy.

And last, while things are happening that make us question our most basic activities and securities, remember that our LORD is a WAY-MAKER. He is an able REDEEMER. He is with us, and He knows what we need. Blessings to you and yours.

The Vine has telephone and video conference sessions available. There was a time when I would not have chosen this venue for therapy, but it is working amazingly well. You can call our office to find out more. 256-270-7399

Rev. Dr. Amanda W. Ragland, LMFT

Prayer for a Couple

amanda — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 01:03:05 +0000

Lord, you are most holy and wonderful! You desire for us to live in wholeness and health. You establish families and bless us with love. I lift this precious couple into the warmth and light of your love. Bless them LORD, God. Bless them. In the places where they have hurt each other, give them an abundant supply of grace so that they can heal. Let them be found again and again saying “I am sorry” and “I forgive”. Ease their tension; soften their pain. Open their eyes to a depth of understanding and truth that will become a bond of knowledge; let this bond be a foundational stone. I pray that your mighty protection surround them in such a concrete way that they can feel and experience so that it will be easy for them to internalize the height, depth, width and breadth of your love for them. Protect them Lord, God, from all evil that would seek to destroy. Bless each one with the fulfillment of being the one to say the words that sets the heart of the other free. In the storm, may they find in each other a place for rest. Make your plan for their future shine brightly, and bring them to it, LORD, with all the fruits of your Holy Spirit. Bless them, LORD God, I pray with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. You are the author of all health and well-being, worthy of all our praise and honor. Let it be so, LORD, let it be so. Amen.

(Stained glass from First Presbyterian, Athens, supporting church of The Vine).

Prayer for Couple with Past Hurts

amanda — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 00:41:46 +0000

Gracious Lord,

It is difficult to have a heart of gratitude when things hurt, yet you would have us trust in you no matter the circumstance. I pray for couples who are in great hurt and pain today because of hurt and pain that happened year, decades ago. Lord, help them to sort the old from the new so that they can deal realistically in the hear and now. Help them to understand and confront old hurts so that they don’t replicate them again and again. Heal the old so that the present can also be healed. Help them to trust and have gratitude for your hand on every step of the journey. For your children who hurt in this way I pray. Amen.

Rev. Dr. Jack Ragland, LMFT