Until Death Do Us Part: My journey to joy in marriage

By Rhonda L. Williams

Until Death Do Us Part tells the deeply personal story of two people who uncover the secret to joy in marriage. The author chronicles her experience as a young, pregnant wife whose life turns upside down in an instant. She interweaves powerful lessons learned about marriage in the midst of tragedy forging a pathway to joy. Twice widowed, the author discovered biblical principles about marriage through hardship, struggle, and revelations. This book shares a profoundly personal experience and offers practical insights and suggestions for others struggling in marriage or contemplating marriage to engage in their journey to joy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Sep 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9798350913347

Book preview

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BookBaby Publishing

Printing in the United States of America by BookBaby Publishing

Typesetting by BookBaby Publishing

Cover Design by Rhonda L. Williams

ISBN: 979-8-35091-333-0 paperback

ISBN: 979-8-35091-334-7 ebook

© 2023 by Rhonda L. Williams, published by BookBaby Publishing 7905 North Crescent Boulevard, Pennsauken, New Jersey 08110

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any means without the written permission of the author,

Rhonda L. Williams and BookBaby Publishing.

Honoring the loving memories of

Steve Brewster-McCarthy

&

Richard Mathew Williams

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I thank my family and friends for their encouragement, support and editorial commentary. Those who made a significant impact include Kimberly Matier, Nadine Lucate-Pierre, Walter and Shirley Fordham.

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Rhonda’s Story

Richard’s Story

TIES THAT BIND

REVELATIONS GAINED

GOD’S PRINCIPLES

EXERCISES TO DO/QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

REFERENCES

Epilogue

Rhonda’s Story

Submit

A four-hour lunch date was the result of Steve and I meeting at a Memorial Day cookout hosted by mutual friends. We connected. We shared our stories, beliefs, convictions, fears, hopes, and dreams. We became fast friends as we enjoyed each other’s company. He advised and guided me as I purchased my first home at 26. I supported and encouraged him as he entered the world of entrepreneurship. During that time, he encouraged and supported me as I considered attending graduate school. We dated for five years, and then he proposed marriage. Why did we date so long? Years later, I would learn the delay in marriage was because he wanted to purchase a home first.

Although the early years were a challenge financially, we sustained our relationship on the foundation of our strong friendship and the novelty of marriage. But a few years into our marriage, we struggled. Communicating with each other took a lot of work. We seemed disconnected. One day, while I was at work, one of my colleagues gave me a book entitled You Can Be the Wife of a Happy Husband: Discovering the keys to marital success. I gave it back to her saying, "Oh please, I need a book entitled How to be the Husband of a Happy Wife. She said nothing. A few days later, I discovered the book in my mailbox at work. It remained in my box for a few days. Then I thought, what do I have to lose? Life could be better at home, so I read a couple of chapters of the book and started applying some of the principles. The book used Biblical principles to address marital issues. I was amazed. Immediately, I experienced something radically different at home. The tension in our home started to diminish.  I talked to my friend at work and shared the changes I was experiencing. She said, Finish the book and then share it with someone else in need. I asked her why she gave it to me in the first place because I had never confided in her anything about my marital issues. She said, I recognize the signs of a troubled marriage. Did the book miraculously save my marriage? No. What saved my marriage? A praying friend and the conviction of the Holy Spirit to abide in God’s word changed my heart. 

My husband and I reconnected in a much more powerful way.