Marriage – Naty Matos

Are you ready to embark on a journey of faith, family, and mental health? Join us for a captivating conversation with Emily Hill, where we delve into the depths of life’s challenges and triumphs.

Emily’s story is one of resilience and discovery. Growing up in a pastor’s home, life seemed picture-perfect until the harsh realities of adulthood hit hard. From navigating the joys and struggles of marriage to grappling with the profound loss of miscarriage, Emily shares candidly about her journey through grief, anger, and ultimately, healing.

In this episode, Emily invites us into her world, where faith intersects with the everyday moments of life. Through personal anecdotes and reflections on scripture, she reveals how she found solace and purpose in the midst of darkness, discovering the real presence of God in the mundane and momentous alike.

But the conversation doesn’t stop there. Emily shines a light on the stigma surrounding mental health in religious communities, advocating for open dialogue and acceptance. She shares her vision for faith communities to become spaces of healing and support, where individuals can find both spiritual and tangible resources for mental well-being.

And don’t forget to check out Emily’s book, “Everyday Epiphany,” a devotional that explores the presence and purpose of God in the everyday moments of life. With personal anecdotes and insights drawn from scripture, this book offers a guiding light for those seeking to deepen their faith and find meaning in the midst of life’s challenges.

Join us as we explore the thin places where the natural and spiritual worlds collide, where grief is met with grace, and where hope shines brightest in the darkest of moments. Whether you’re seeking comfort, inspiration, or simply a listening ear, this episode promises to touch your heart and uplift your spirit.

Don’t miss out on this empowering conversation with Emily Hill, as we navigate the complexities of everyday life with faith, family, and mental health as our guiding lights.

Watch the full episode by clicking here and embark on your own journey of discovery and resilience. Because in the midst of life’s challenges, there is always hope to be found.

Today’s WordPress prompt was, “What is the biggest secret you failed to keep? I had to think long and hard about this one as my regular line of work and most of my ministry work is surrounded by confidentiality clauses and agreements; therefore there’s not much that I have revealed in terms of secrets. I also don’t tend to divulge secrets anyway so it took me a while, but then a light went off on the personal realm the one I found was life changing.

It is customary for most churches to require a pre-marital course for couples. I attended to one of these when it was my “bridal time” and met two other couples preparing for their nuptials with whom we became very close. We became so close that after the course we started helping each other in the wedding preparations. My wedding was the one in the middle of the other two.

We attended the first wedding and after that, the now wife and the wife to be became my little helpers. The grooms became friends and tended to hang out together when we girls were submerged in lace and flowers. As we were very focused on our tasks we had not noticed that the third groom (the one whose wedding was right after mine) had developed a certain affection for one of my neighbors, so every time it was time to come over to my place for my wedding things he was quite eager.

This neighbor was my lifetime friend and at some point told me about the handsome guy who was visiting my house and inviting her out. I quickly pointed out to her that the lady with him was nobody else but his fiancée. I was in a predicament. If I told my new friend about what her fiancé had done I was going to break her heart and probably cancel her wedding, but at the same time I would have been devastated if I would have allowed her to marry a cheater. So I did, I called the girl and told her about her groom and my neighbor.

The fun part was that the ladies got together and plotted a plan. My neighbor accepted the date, but instead of one, both women showed up. The soon to be married lady and I did not keep a relationship, but she said she was grateful for the revelation. As painful as this was, I really don’t regret doing it as I would have appreciated if anyone would have done it for me if it was me the one being cheated on.

In retrospective, nobody was asked to keep it a secret, but it was information that I knew that the affected person didn’t have. People forget that what’s done in the dark always comes to light. That it’s important to do the right thing, just because is the right thing to do. It usually is a good assistance to a good night sleep and I love my sleep.

Blessings!