Focus on the Family Community: Relationships and Marriage ...

I am looking for any prayer support, wisdom, or help I can get.

?

My parents recently started into full-time ministry. My mother has shared with me that their marriage is really struggling.? They've never been great communicators, but there is virtually no communication happening at all.? Right now, the ministry is thriving and things are going well, but it is only a matter of time until it crashes if things continue this way.

?

My father is a severe work-a-holic with a fear of failure.? (He's a recovering alcoholic and I think work-a-holism has just replaced his addiction to alcohol.)? He has been at the church 80-90 hours/wk, sometimes until 3am multiple times in a week.? I have been out of the house for five years and am now a pastor.? I have three siblings in the house still - 2 teenagers and one 4 year old sister.? When my father is home, he's at the tv or sleeping on the couch.

?

My mother takes full responsiblity for the children, but my father keeps telling her she needs to do more - put the little one in baby sitting so that she can be at the church more.? (She's still there 30-40 hours a week.)? My father keeps mentioning others' expectations and then makes comments that make it sound like my mom is his enemy.? "You guys just don't want to see this work." etc.

?

She's at her wit's end and I'm fearful for their marriage, for the lack of a husband for my mother, lack of a father for my siblings, and for the ministry that God has entrusted them with - but is becoming just a job.? :(

I fear for my father, too.? He's not a young man and his body can't keep up with all of this.

?

I guess my question is, what is my role here? Has anyone experienced anything similar as an adult child? Do you have any recommendations? I've tried over the past 5 years sending them "The Love Dare," marriage pod casts from Wretched Radio, "The Power of a Praying Wife," etc. and assuring my mother especially of my prayers.? I just don't think my dad has any clue of the damage he's causing.? And I'm sure it's not all one sided, but I've seen this in our household to some extent my whole life.? Just not to this amoutn.? It grieves me (and frustrates me, to be honest) that I keep having these phone calls from my mother, but feel completely powerless to do anything.? They've just started going to counseling, but Mom says they bicker the entire way there and back. I am praying - fiercely, and am grateful for any additional prayer support I can get.

Source: http://www.focusonlinecommunities.com/thread/25243

missouri primary minnesota caucus knowshon moreno knowshon moreno sovereign citizen komen chrome for android