Wisdom from Generations + Wholehearted Commitment CAN = a satisfying marriage
YOU MIGHT BE like Erin Smalley, struggling in her marriage and desperately needing words of encouragement. Ironically, she found new hope and direction in a conference led by . . . her husband’s father! Applying Gary Smalley’s principles, she not only experienced positive change in her marriage, but also helped launch a thriving marriage ministry to others with her husband, Greg.
No matter where you are in your marriage journey—newly wed or celebrating your silver anniversary—the ten keys to a healthy marriage presented in The Wholehearted Wife can move you toward a more loving and vibrant relationship. It begins where you have the most influence of all—in your own attitude and wholehearted commitment.
Freshly presented for a new generation, this biblically based book leans into proven principles from Gary Smalley’s thirty-plus years of counseling, teaching you how to:
influence your relationship with your husband, starting now
transform any marriage situation for the better (really!)
married women, relationship advice, relationship resource, husbands and wives, women, christian nonfiction, marriage tips, motivational, inspirational, practical tips
The Smalleys bring both professional expertise and personal experience to the important conversation of what it ztakes to nurture a loving marriage. A great resource for any married couple.
by Dr. Tony Evans, Pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, Dallas, TX; author of Kingdom Woman
What’s better than a book with the name “Smalley” on the cover? How about a book with three Smalleys! Erin and Greg, along with Greg’s dad, Gary, offer women a powerful message that will help strengthen and reinvigorate their relationships with their husbands. This is a great book for Christian women
by Jim Daly, President, Focus on the Family
As a radio host I’ve talked with a great number of relationship experts but I must say, I’ve never met a family more committed to the success of your marriage than the Smalleys. They’re passionate about your having a marriage that’s a safe place for you and a great example for others. If you’re a wife and you want to move beyond the status quo, if you long for a strong and thriving marriage, then you’ve come to the right place. Take your time as you work your way through the pages of this book. Embrace a teachable, hopeful heart as you consider a new approach to your husband. Your story is far from over. God’s about to do a new thing in you!
by Susie Larson, National radio host; Author of Your Beautiful Purpose
I am so grateful the Smalleys have written this book. These hard-learned lessons will steer all of us to more meaningful relationships and stronger marriages. I love the real-life honesty coupled with big splashes of fun that is shown in this book.
by Brady Boyd, Senior Pastor, New Life Church; Author of Addicted to Busy
This book is full of practical advice for women. Let’s face it . . . being a wife is far more complicated than most of us realized when we said, “I do.” Greg and Erin do an excellent job of equipping you to honor God and your husband, regardless of the current state of your marriage.
by Dr. Juli Slattery, Author; clinical psychologist; co-founder of Authentic Intimacy
What a fantastic book! Every wife—regardless of age or stage in her marriage—will benefit from this inspiring, humorous, and practical message.
by Dr. Leslie Parrott, Marriage and family therapist, #1 NYT best-selling author of The Good Fight
The Smalleys bring both professional expertise and personal experience to the important conversation of what it takes to nurture a loving marriage. The Smalleys have successfully combined their humor and personal experience with their expertise from years of marriage ministry, making The WholeHearted Wife a great resource for any married couple.
by Dr. Tony Evans, Pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship; Author of Kingdom Woman
Although it takes two to have a great marriage, an important truth for any marriage partner to realize is that he or she can really change no one other than him or herself. Nevertheless, changes in just one person can have an amazing impact on a marriage relationship!
Instead of focusing on “How do I have a better marriage?” this book embraces that truth, and helps women ponder the question, “How can I be the best wife I can be?” It provides every woman with skills, information, and encouragement to make a positive difference to this and future generations, by wholeheartedly investing in her marriage and her relationship with her husband today.
The Wholehearted Wife is written by Erin and Greg Smalley, along with Gary Smalley, the creator and presenter of Keys to a Loving Relationship, one of the best-selling video series of all time. Recognizing that most if not all married women have either experienced a time when her marriage felt lifeless—or sat with another female friend or family member who was experiencing that situation—this book is also a wonderful resource for those times.
connywithay
“We can control our attitudes, our actions, our decisions, our priorities, and even our words. This only happens, however, through the power of the Holy Spirit. He alone can change the human heart – from which all of our behaviors, choices, and responses flow,†Erin, Greg, and Gary Smalley write in their book, "The Whole Hearted Wife: 10 Keys to a More Loving Relationship."
Written for mainly married women, this two hundred and seventy-two page paperback targets those interested in improving and enhancing their relationships with their spouses. Providing ten chapters with keys to a better marriage, the three writers use Biblical references taken mainly from the New International Version of the Bible along with the NCV, TLB, and NLT editions.
Mostly authored by Erin, wife of Greg and daughter-in-law of Gary Smalley, she focuses on her own marriage and family experiences including the challenges she and her husband have faced. Greg and Gary’s interjections are noted with their ideas and viewpoints from male perspectives.
In each chapter, the topic discussed emphasizes first on the woman and how she can change for the better, followed by how to approach the husband. The ending joins both man and wife’s role in regard to God and how to work together in unity.
The ten keys involve honoring, nourishing, accepting differences, connecting spiritually, communicating, joining sexually, resolving conflict, defusing anger, forgiving, and transforming trials into blessings, reiterating in the conclusion that a more loving relationship begins individually.
Reminding one can only control oneself, the authors suggest valuing each other, having truthful self-talks, keeping gratitude journals, taming anger volcanoes, and going treasure hunting for the good within the bad in life.
In addition to inserting a personality test, included are ten ways to get a man to talk with five basic levels of communication, a list of women’s roadblocks to sex as well as ten things husbands wished their wives understood, how to identify anger buttons, rules for fighting fair with ways to express feelings, and five steps to finding hidden pearls in life.
This book may be a good source for newly married women who are unsure of their role as a wife or want to understand or help their husbands more. Keeping in mind that God honors a healthy, vibrant marriage, a devoted couple can become closer to each other as they get closer to God.
Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. for furnishing this complimentary book in exchange for a review based on the reader’s opinions.
Heather Braoudakis
This book is great for all married women, and honestly, even women who hope to or are planning marriage. It's affirming of things you do know and besides presenting new ideas, is Biblical and tremendous for personal growth. Great for a study or book club and even get hubby involved!! Amazing to me that Erin took counsel from her FIL! Inspiring.
