FamilyLife on the Drew Marshall Show
“33 years of marriage,” Drew Marshall began casually with Neil and Sharol Josephson, directors of FamilyLife Canada, on his talkshow this past weekend. “How did you do it?”
Sharol was quick to respond, “We have a great friendship and we just really enjoy each other.”
Neil agreed and added that commitment was key. “For better or for worse – in sickness and in health. Those aren’t multiple-choice questions. Even when times are hard.”
“Really?” A drop of skepticism laced the question.
“Sure. We went on a getaway together, fifteen years into our marriage, and realized we hardly knew each other.” Sharol was of the same mind. “There usually isn’t an atom bomb event. It’s often an accumulation of things. Jobs, kids, you know… So, we declared a year of honesty.”
“How honest?” Drew livened at the chance. “Can you hide some things? Or do you have to ‘live in the light’ all the time?” A classic either/or to stir some debate.
“Well, there is a difference between being honest and having no filter. We have to discern, is secrecy taking away intimacy? Cause it can. But not every thought has to be divulged.” Drew liked it.
Sharol added her thoughts about honesty. “It should come from true humility; it’s not brutal and it doesn’t have an agenda. But honesty is required for intimacy.”
There was that word again. “Speaking of intimacy, who do you think speaks best about intimacy on the Christian scene?” Drew went to the experts.
“Kevin Leman has great stuff, but I think Gary Thomas is our favourite,” Sharol replied.
“Michelle Davis is great too,” Neil added.
Things started to get steamy when Drew turned the talk toward everyone’s favourite topic. “Ok, let’s talk about sex. How often?”
You could almost feel Drew smiling, hoping things would get a little crazy on air. “Whenever we get asked that, there’s usually an agenda behind it,” was Neil’s experienced reply. “I’ll say this, everyone is different. People ask us this question all the time. It’s an issue because it touches on deeper issues. It’s close to the heart.” Neil didn’t have to dodge the bullet, just deftly redirect.
“So what’s tearing marriages apart? It is sex? Money?”
“Ya, money, sex, kids, but there’s deeper issues behind all that.”
The ensuing conversation touched upon FamilyLife’s upcoming getaway, social issues concerning marriage, marriage advice, and more. It was clear in the interview that Neil and Sharol practiced the honesty they preached.
“I’m glad you guys are leading the charge in this. Most of the people leading the marriage charge are kind of weeny, you know? You guys have a grasp of the culture. This FamilyLife Canada stuff is awesome.”
They were humble about it. “We want to tell the truth and be authentic. We believe the truth will save Canada’s marriages.” Couldn’t have said it better. Thanks for your faithful work FamilyLife.
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