Jacque Watkins

finding grace through the mud

Day 30: There Are Consequences Forever

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This is Day 30 in the series “31 Days: What You Should Know Before An Affair“ Day 30 It’s been seventeen years since my confession, since surviving the absolute worst year of my life. This coming year we’ll celebrate fifteen years of marriage, my oldest son is almost twenty, and our four other children are thriving. I’m living a wonderful […]

Day 28: Marriage is Work

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This is Day 28 in the series “31 Days: What You Should Know Before An Affair“ Day 28 When I walked down the aisle at the age of twenty-one, I would’ve told you marriage was not going to be hard—not for me—not for us. We were perfect for each other, and I was sure I […]

Day 27: You Need The Perspective of a Friend

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 This is Day 27 in the series “31 Days: What You Should Know Before An Affair“ Day 27 I sat at PF Chang’s last week with two of my dearest friends—the kind of friends you could call at 2 AM, and with few questions asked, would get in their car and drive straight to you […]

Day 26: Forgiving Yourself Is a Long Process

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This is Day 26 in the series “31 Days: What You Should Know Before An Affair“ Day 26 For years, my soul navigated an undercurrent of shame. Forgiving myself was like weaving through a corn maze in autumn—I knew it was possible to get through, but found dead ends at every turn. With planted maze […]

Day 25: {Scripture and Song} God Is Greater Than Your Heart

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This is Day 25 in the series “31 Days: What You Should Know Before An Affair“ Day 25 Each Sunday of this 31 day series, it is my desire to gather and pause the weight of this conversation long enough to open up our clenched and controlling fists, turn our cupped hands up, and surrender our […]

Day 24: Humble Repentance Brings Restoration

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  This is Day 24 in the series “31 Days: What You Should Know Before An Affair“ Day 24 I remember sitting in the car in the church parking lot the day after my confession. In the fresh rawness of the crisis, we’d come to church to receive pastoral counseling. My husband went first, while […]

Day 23: Life Will Change for Your Children

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  This is Day 23 in the series “31 Days: What You Should Know Before An Affair“ Day 23 I hated the exchange. It happened every Sunday night in the Thrifty parking lot. I’d scoop Matt up into my arms and carry him to the car. And as we walked, he’d arch his back and […]

Day 21: You Will Lose Relationships

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This is Day 21 in the series “31 Days: What You Should Know Before An Affair“ Day 21 In the weeks after my confession, all my relationships changed. At some level, I expected it to happen, but hadn’t anticipated the emotional loss it would add to my crisis. I’d never lacked for friends, and as a pastor’s wife, I was […]