Marriage can be challenging for a lot of people. In the midst of those challenges it is easy to feel as if you are alone in your struggles. It can feel as if no one else could understand what you are going through.
Teresa Tomeo is the host of a popular, national Catholic radio show. Her husband Dominick Pastore is a deacon in the Catholic Church. Both of them are intimately involved in ministry and surrounded by dedicated and supportive Catholics.
Yet, it even took them some time to realize and trust that they were not alone in their marital journey.
At the beginning of their book, Intimate Graces, Teresa tells the story of the first time they had to give a testimony about their marriage. Teresa had developed some cold feet. She was not excited about getting up in front of the group and sharing the stories of the struggles they had gone through.
Thankfully, a dear friend came to them and reminded them that “everybody has something.”
“In other words,” Teresa said, “many people can relate to the ups and downs of marriage and we should not be ashamed to share our story of marriage healing if it can help another couple.”
Have You Shared Your Story Lately?
Have you taken the time to share some of your marriage stories with others lately? You never know how much those stories could help another couple going through a tough time.
The more that married couples are willing to get together and talk about the tough times, the more people might see that they are not alone and that there is hope in every situation.
Recently, Dominick and Teresa were in Michigan speaking at a conference. The event was at a parish with a very strong faith community. They were surprised to learn that the divorce rate within the parish was virtually non-existent.
They decided to push ahead, however, and share their stories of struggle and grace in marriage.
It was the right decision. Three couples came up to them after the talk to say thank you. All three were either suffering or had recently suffered a breakdown in their marriage.
Even in a community with such strong faith and dedication to the Church, there were couples going through hard times.
What was it that the couples said to the speakers to thank them?
“They told us they were glad to hear that they were not alone,” Teresa said about the conversations, “and they found encouragement in our stories of struggle.”
None of us should feel alone in our marriages. There are other couples suffering through the same challenges we are.
Meet with and talk to other couples as much as possible. Don’t be afraid to share the difficult stories. It might be the one thing someone needs to hear to help them get through a really difficult time in their marriage.
Teresa Tomeo is a bestselling author, syndicated Catholic talk show host, and speaker with more than thirty years of experience in print and broadcast media. Her radio and television programs are broadcast by EWTN. She speaks throughout North America and also leads retreats and pilgrimages annually.
Dominick Pastore was ordained a Catholic deacon for the Archdiocese of Detroit in 2012. He is vice president and senior electrical engineer for SmithGroupJJR in Detroit. As a Catholic evangelist and marriage coach, he and his wife, Teresa, minister to couples across the country.
