Encouragement for Remarried Couples

“Here’s the story of a lovely lady, who was bringing up three very lovely girls…”

You could probably finish that theme song from memory. The Brady Bunch portrayed the quintessential television family of the early 1970s, largely through its wholesome, albeit simplistic, depiction of a blended family.

But while problems are easily resolved in 30 minutes in the world of television sitcoms, things are rarely that simple in real life. Rebuilding a family is closer to Gil and Brenda Stuart than to Mike and Carol Brady.

Deep wounds from Gil’s and Brenda’s first marriages tore open just days after their honeymoon. Out for a walk through their neighborhood, Gil assumed they were going one direction, and Brenda assumed they were going another. They got separated and wound up lost. By the time they found each other at home, doubt had begun to creep in.

That’s how it goes, isn’t it? Couples step into a new relationship with fully-formed patterns of behavior that were developed in their first marriages. Unspoken and unresolved expectations are why 60% of second marriages end in divorce within two years.

There’s a better approach. Like The Brady Bunch theme song says, “This group must somehow form a family.” How do you do that?

We’re answering that question on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Encouragement for Remarried Couples.” Gil and Brenda Stuart are with us to explain how they changed the course of their new marriage. They talk openly and honestly about the messy realities of remarriage and share how they help couples avoid common pitfalls.

Regardless of how a prior marriage ended, the ground is level at the foot of the Cross. To help your new family gain a solid footing and create a positive future, tune in on your local radio station, online, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, via Google Podcasts, or take us with you on our free phone app.

If you’re having marriage difficulties, we have caring Christian counselors on staff, and it would be their privilege to offer you a free consultation. Call us, leave your name and number, and they’ll get back to you as soon as possible. The number during business hours is 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).

If you’re on the brink of divorce, our Hope Restored marriage intensives can go a long way toward facilitating healing between you and your spouse and in bringing restoration to your relationship. The intensives take place in four locations: Branson, MO; Greenville, MI; the WinShape Retreat Center in Rome, GA; and our brand new location in Cave Creek, AZ. The number for Hope Restored is 1-866-875-2915, or visit online.

Gil and Brenda’s book Restored and Remarried: Encouragement for Remarried Couples in a Stepfamily is available for a gift of any amount to Focus on the Family as a way of saying thank you for partnering with us. (Click here for more information.)