Marriage to unbelievers

Thought I would start a thread. Maybe some guys can relate and maybe we can all help each other with wisdom and prayer.

A bit about me and my family for those who dont know. Im 32 and born again as of almost 3 years ago. Grew up in a Baptist home but from ages 15 to 29 was a stoner with no interest in going to church. I have 2 daughters ages almost 6 and 2 and have been married 3 years on june 23rd.

So for those who are good at math I became a devoted follower of Jesus after getting married and our first daughter was conceived and born out of wedlock.

My wife grew up not going to church til age 10 when her mom married her stepdad. However he went to churches where weird things happened during worship and has multiple stories of men in leadership abusing their power to steal from the church.

So you can kind of imagine how my wife felt when he husband tells her hes given up weed and is attending church every Sunday.

It hasnt been easy and we are so blessed to have found a wonderful church home. We have made friends there and my daughters really look forward to church and Awanas (well before cov ID and hopefully this fall).

However my wife still hasn't repented and doesnt believe Jesus as lord and savior. She kind of sorta believes in God. But she doesnt think she needs a savior. She says she's a good person. Hasnt done anything that bad. That kind of thought process. She also struggles with the bible and homosexuality and abortion. We live in liberal western Washington and have friends and family who are openly gay.

One big struggle we have had has been over giving to the church. She basically doesnt want to give anything. That is one area where I have decided to yield to her rather than letting an offering be a stumbling block to the gospel.

Anybody else on here with a similar situation?

 

Tao, I was literally thinking the same thing yesterday at work! I listen to the Dave Ramsey show so what you're saying really echos what he teaches. I do try to be a generous giver. I keep a Costco size box of granola bars and will usually give those (and the banana i didnt eat from my lunch) to people begging at a street corner.

Also I have rediscovered the joy of being a generous tipper during the pandemic. And its far more rewarding to see someones face light up when you hand over a generous tip then write one on a receipt to that person delivering pizza or chinese food to your home. But all of that is indeed lacking. God wants to teach us all to be generous givers. Well we have a paycheck coming in a week and a half so I will bring that up before we budget it.