Episode Summary: 

Are you experiencing the empty nest stage of life or finding yourself constantly in close quarters with your spouse? If the 24/7 togetherness feels overwhelming, then this episode is for you! Join us as we delve into the secrets of thriving in marriage with a spouse in the house. Our special guest is Cynthia Ruchti, coauthor of the insightful book "Spouse in the House: Rearranging Our Attitudes to Make Room for Each Other." As fellow hope enthusiasts, I knew she would be the perfect guest on the program. Stay tuned for an inspiring and transformative conversation as we talk about How To Thrive in Marriage with a Spouse in the House.

Quotables from the episode:

• As much as people talk about preparing financially for retirement, and as heavily we emphasis pre-marital counseling, who was talking about preparing relationally for retirement or other life-events and seasons when a husband and wife experience more togetherness than normal.
• It is an adjustment to share the same space 24/7, work around each other’s routines, communicate expectations, and divide the chores.
• Not since the Industrial Revolution transformed American life from what had been largely agricultural and family-run businesses has there been such a seismic shift back to two spouses at home.
• “Any home, large or small, can feel like too tight quarters unless we learn how to relate to, appreciate, and work around each other’s personalities and preferences when a health need, job layoff, retirement, temporary circumstance, or new working arrangement results in both spouses in the house for long stretches of time.
• “A husband and wife can rub each other the wrong way, find there’s not enough oxygen in the house for both of them, and trip over each other’s physical and emotional ‘stuff.’ But there’s hope for every hurdle, and a joy possibility for every relationship jolt.”
• It helps to remember that our husband is our brother in Christ, so how the Bible says to treat our brothers and sisters in Christ is how we are to treat our spouse.
• No human can satisfy you like Jesus, and no human will not satisfy you. But Jesus is your rock.
• Decide to pre-forgive your spouse of anything they do to you in the future.
• The best way to handle the spouse in the house is to begin and end the day with them and Jesus.
• There’s no coasting in marriage. If we stop paddling, we don’t just stay still. We’re carried off to dangerous places or end up where we never intended to go.

Scripture References:

• Philippians 2:2 NIV—“Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”
• Philippians 2:3 NIV—“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interest but each of you to the interests of the others.”
• Philippians 2:4. NIV—“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…”

Recommended Resources: 

• Spouse in the House: Rearranging Our Attitudes to Make Room for Each Other by Cynthia Ruchti and Becky Melby
• Empty Nest, Full Life: Discovering God’s Best for Your Next by Jill Savage
• Brighter Skies Ahead: Forecasting a Full Life When You Empty the Nest by Terri DeBoer
• Rebuilding Trust Course
• The Wait Is Not Wasted Course
• No More Perfect Marriages by Mark and Jill Savage
• Men are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti: Understanding and Delighting in Your Differences by Bill & Pam Farrel
• Red-Hot Monogamy: Making Your Marriage Sizzle by Bill and Pam Farrel
• Appreciation: The Key to Unlocking Romance
• Hope for Marriage Struggles
• Creative Ways to Show Love During Times of Crisis
• How Do I Love You? 8 Different Ways to Show Love
• Great Love Prompts Great Sacrifice: It’s What Love Does
• Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places
• You Are Loved by God
• YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day
• YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be Another Good Day
• Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
• Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide
• Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip
• Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award
• Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award
• Trusting God Through Cancer 1
• Trusting God Through Cancer 2
• Revive & Thrive Women's Conference
• Subdue Stress and Anxiety: Fifteen Experts Offer Comprehensive Tools in Ten Minutes a Day. Use my link plus discount code BENG99 to save $90 on course (course will be $99.)
• Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win

Social Media Links for Host and Guest:

Connect with Cynthia Ruchti:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:

Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /  Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube

Guest:

Cynthia Ruchti tells stories hemmed-in-hope through novels, nonfiction, and speaking events for women or writers. Since 2010, she’s released 37 books. Cynthia is a senior literary agent with Books and Such Literary Management. She and her husband live in the heart of Wisconsin, not far from their three kids and six grandkids. 

Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson

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