What does "piece by piece" equal?

I am compelled to share these thoughts with my adult children as well as anyone who is in a relationship.  The relationship does not have to be a marriage.  It could be a parent-child relationship, an employee-employer relationship, a bff relationship - I think you get the idea.

Sometimes, without intending to, we destroy our relationships "Piece by Piece."
Truly - by back-biting, ignoring one another, discouraging one another, putting others before our partners, disregarding that person, thinking the worst of that person, speaking "smack" against that person in front of others or to others.....
You fill in the ways, "Piece by Piece," the ways and the words that you and I have done or said that certainly do not build up and "shore up" our relationships....

Go ahead -- reflect now --- and share your reflections below in the comments.....
Piece by Piece: How have you torn down a loved one? And what did that Piece by Piece equal?
Maybe someone will see themselves in your comments too....... and reflect.....and ponder.....

Then - watch this Kelly Clarkson video referenced below.
(I saw it while reading this blog post: https://protectyoungminds.org/2017/03/16/reason-porn-bad/)

Background of the video:  The author of the blog states..."She is singing Piece by Piece.  In this song she tells the story of being abandoned by her father at the age of six and rejected by him again when she was older.  When she became successful, her father tried to return to her life.
But HER HUSBAND showed her that a genuine father's love can be truly healing.
(And I dare you to watch this to the end and not shed a tear!)"

Google this title or copy and paste this youtube title your search bar:
Kelly Clarkson - Piece by Piece (American Idol the Farewell Season) 
This is one of the judges reactions to her song....

So, Kelly's father; Piece by Piece, broke her heart.
And, Kelly's husband; Piece by Piece, restored her heart.

And so I ask you and I ask myself:
How can I be sure that, Piece by Piece, I am building up my wife or my husband or my child or my mother or my father or my brother or my sister?

Now - I ask you to comment below:
How can you build up your spouse, Piece by Piece?
And what will that Piece by Piece equal?

Which will it be for you?
Ponder a moment -
Will your Piece by Piece equal pain and destruction?
OR
Will your Piece by Piece equal protection and restoration?

As always - it is your choice and mine --

Make the right choice my precious "children" - You will be amazed at the results!

With love and honor and respect for all of you!
Kathy aka wife, mom, friend

Really??? One flesh???



Oh the mystery...
I just finished "The Lacemaker" by Laura Frantz.  There were so many phrases and quotes in this text that just resonated with my marital heart!  I am compelled to share (as usual!), with my adult children - but also with any fellow sojourners pondering the value of marriage....

This is one of the phrases; spoken by the groom of his beloved new wife, on their wedding day.
"... Radiant.  
This was his bride.  
The woman God had created for him since time began. 
The mother of his children, whenever they came.  
She was his, come the storm.  Come the war.  Come what may. 
Anwylyd (which mean Beloved in Welsh)."

This picture I have posted, is of my groom and I on our wedding day in 1978.
That means this is our 40th year of marital bliss.
Marital bliss?
Well - not always.

But foundationally, I still feel like Paul's new bride.
 
In his love, I am radiant (even when I don't feel like I am).

In his love, I will always be his bride (even when I don't feel like a beautiful bride).

In his love, I know that through our marriage vows, through the years, through the ups and downs, the joys and the sorrows - I was created for my groom since time began.

And I know that, obviously, I am truly the mother of all four of our amazing children.

And I am his -
Come the storm. Come the "war." Come what may... I am Paul's beloved, his Anwylyd.

And I can face this world with his hand in mine and my hand in his - one flesh...


May you recognize the blessing of this mystery of "one flesh."
It is true and it is precious --- and so we proceed hand in hand.
Never take this "one flesh" for granted - it is a gift from the Father's Hand and Heart!

Onward and Upward, hand in hand;
Kurt & Stephanie, Jana & Adam,
Scott & Kim, and Mark & Courtney

Love you all so very much!