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Marriage & Deconstruction: Communication is Key!
I Don't Believe All This Anymore Cartoon by nakedpastor David Hayward
Here we see a family going through deconstruction.
Each one alone.
Why not do it together?
For example, with your spouse:
I keep saying communication is key.
Communication is critical.
Communication is the cure.
Here's some advice about communicating about your deconstruction with your loved ones:
1. Arrange a time.
2. Promise you'll try to not get defensive. Just speak descriptively.
3. Promise you'll try to not get judgmental. Just listen without evaluating.
4. Have drinks while you talk (Lisa and I have scotch and Bailey's nightsā).
5. Settle in for a long talk.
6. If you have trouble articulating where you are, just try.
7. Determine to be honest. Share your emotions, not just your thoughts.
8. Don't be insecure. Pretend you're not emotionally invested in the other.
9. Trust the other is on their journey not by accident but by choice.
10. Realize it's not going to get settled today. This is a process.
I want to share something with you:
Honesty is sexy.
Connecting through honest communication can be very alluring.
Finding compatibility at a deeper level can be very sensual.
Discovering new facets of your spouse can be very romantic.
Who knows where this could lead?
For Lisa and I, it lead to a reboot for our marriage and our relationshipāĆĆ“s better than it's ever been.
Give it a shot!
(Email me if you want to talk about this with me.)
1 comment
Hi! I heard you on the Heretic Happy Hour the other day and really enjoyed what you had to say. I have been deconstructing from a fundamentalist turned mainstream evangelical (you know youāre truly from a fundy background when mainstream evangelicalism feels like freedom!) for a few years now but not hardcore until Last January. For a while I kept some things to myself knowing that my Piper-loving husband wouldnāt be too happy. To be fair, my husband is a ver reasonable person who likes to take everyoneās perspective into consideration. He doesnāt always realize how damaging someone like Piper can be because heās (my husband) is a white male. So, Iāve gradually been letting him in on my process. He asks questions sometimes and tries to understand. He doesnāt listen to what Iām listening to or read what I share with him. But I can see heās trying to be understanding. But as things are getting more intense for me, heās getting more stern about things. We are missionaries and he is a leader in our org. We live on the support of people deeply in the American Evangelical world. Our sending church is a church plant of Bethlehem Baptist in Minneapolis. So, thereās a lot at stake if my changing views get out there in the public. I am wanting him to be understanding and to see this as a positive thing. But I do understand that this may have big implications on our lives eventually, so I get his angst. Itās what keeps me up at night, so Iām no better. But Iām feeling deeply insecure about our relationship. Iām willing to hold these differing beliefs in tension. Iām not so sure he will be able to. I find thatās so common in this deconstruction journey. Those on the left can sit with those on the right, but not vice versa. Iām not saying heās threatening divorce. Heās not saying clearly what he means, just that āit will be a big problem if I come to very different theological beliefs.ā But I MUST go through this process. I donāt know what Iām asking. Iām wondering if you have any advice or just encouragement. We will continue to talk through it. Of course being parents this has big implications as wellā¦but then, weāve never seen eye to eye as parents, soā¦