482: Marriage First — Why Your Spouse Comes Before the Kids

Moms, you don’t want to miss this conversation! Karen and Greg pull back the curtain on nearly four decades of marriage—the good, the hard, the early years, and the season they’re in now. Their honesty will inspire you to invest in your own marriage now so you can reap the rewards later. This heartfelt episode will make you smile, and maybe even tear up, as they remind us that we serve a good and faithful God who wants the best for us and our marriages.Episode Recap:How Karen and Greg back met in 1984 (4:00)What Greg thought marriage was going to be like (6:40)What were some of your biggest differences as newlyweds? (7:50)How did you stay connected during the early years of raising kids? (10:09)We always prioritized us over the kids. (13:22)How did serving in the military impact your marriage and family? (14:45)What has been the hardest season of your marriage? (18:48)How did your faith carry you through that season? (22:54)What have you come to love or appreciate about one another more recently? (29:10)How has your relationship changed now that your kids are grown and gone? (31:35)What’s one way that you protect your marriage even now? (35:55)What has surprised you about becoming grandparents? (37:19)Lightening round questions (40:12)Scripture: Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV)“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”Discussion Questions:Karen and Greg talked about prioritizing their marriage even while raising young kids. How do you currently make space for your spouse in a busy season of parenting?Greg shared the advice he received from his dad: “Your family is your hobby.” What might it look like for you to protect your margin for your family?Karen described her “needy gal” season where she learned to depend on God to meet her needs. How have you experienced God providing for you in a hard marriage or parenting season?What small rhythms (like a daily debrief, date nights, or intentional quiet time) could you adopt to strengthen your connection with your spouse?Looking ahead, what do you hope your marriage will look like when you reach the “high five” finish line of raising kids together?Resources:Get the Parenting Together curriculum videos FREE in the BOAW Moms app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/birds-on-a-wire-moms/id1419899927Grab the discussion guide in our store: https://store.birdsonawiremoms.com/collections/mom-studies/products/parenting-together-free-in-the-app-copyReach out to https://birdsonawiremoms.com/book-karen-to-speak to have Karen come speak in your community!Join our private FB group, BOAW Moms: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BOAWmoms