Relationship Grit

Great relationships don't happen by accident—they take commitment, hard work, and grit Bestselling author Jon Gordon is back with another life-affirming book. This time, he teams up with Kathryn Gordon, his wife of 23 years, for a look at what it takes to build strong relationships. In Relationship Grit, the Gordons reveal what brought them together, what kept them together through difficult times, and what continues to sustain their love and passion for one another to this day. They candidly share their mistakes, decisions that almost destroyed their marriage, and successes so you can learn from their experiences and make your relationship stronger. If you're a fan of Jon Gordon's work, you will enjoy learning about the man behind the message, as he and Kathryn share the intimate details of their life together. The direct, transparent, and personal style will draw you in and help you see that, if you are dealing with a challenge in your life and relationship, you are not alone. Working, writing, and raising children hasn't always been easy for the Gordons, but by committing to one another and embracing the principles of G. R. I. T., they emerged from their darkest moments and built a deep and lasting love. In Relationship Grit, they speak candidly about what they have learned and how you can develop the grit to build beautiful relationships. Discover—in their own words—what Jon and Kathryn have learned about staying together during their 23-year marriage Learn the four principles of G. R. I. T. that you can embrace today to build the high quality relationships you want and deserve Find the strength you need to confront your past, overcome your flaws, and change for the better to improve you and your relationship Embrace the Gordons' practical advice including 22 quick tips for a great relationship—11 from Kathryn and 11 from Jon—and start making your relationship the best it can be Relationships—particularly marriages—are about imperfect people coming together to work on their individual flaws and emerge stronger together. Relationship Grit will inspire and motivate you to engage in this remarkable and rewarding process.

Introduction xi 1 G = God 1 Magical Moments (Jon) 3 Persistence Pays Off (Kathryn) 4 A Divine Appointment (Jon) 6 A Deeper Connection (Kathryn) 7 A Triple-Braided Cord (Jon) 8 2 R = Resolve 11 From Fantasy to Reality (Kathryn) 13 Issues of the Past (Jon) 14 It Takes Two (Kathryn) 16 Buying a House (Jon) 18 Ain’t No Stopping Us (Kathryn) 19 Big Decisions (Jon) 20 We’re Having a Baby (Kathryn) 21 A Living Hell (Kathryn) 22 Busy, Stressed, and Selfish (Jon) 27 Why I Stayed (Kathryn) 28 Chasing Success (Jon) 30 Making the Move (Jon) 32 Whatever It Takes (Kathryn) 34 Miracles (Jon) 35 I Was Ready to Leave Him (Kathryn) 37 The Ultimatum (Jon) 38 A Defining Moment (Jon) 39 You Have to Be Willing to Change (Jon) 40 3 I = Invest 43 Invest Instead of Consume (Jon) 45 Don’t Keep Score (Kathryn) 47 Communicate, Communicate, Communicate (Kathryn) 48 The Curse of Expectations (Kathryn) 50 Appreciate Your Differences (Jon) 52 Shared Vision and Purpose (Kathryn) 53 Common Bonds (Kathryn) 54 There’s No Plan B (Jon) 56 All In (Kathryn) 59 Choosing Faith (Jon) 60 When You Change, the Relationship Changes (Kathryn) 63 Hopping on the Energy Bus (Jon) 64 Support Instead of Limit (Kathryn) 70 Encourage Instead of Compete (Kathryn) 71 The 4 Cs (Jon) 72 4 T = Together 77 Going Deeper (Kathryn) 79 Invest in the Root If You Want the Fruit (Jon) 80 Clearing Out the Weeds (Jon) 82 The Truth Hurts (Kathryn) 83 A Special Prayer (Jon) 84 Forgiveness (Kathryn) 87 What You Uncover, God Will Cover (Jon) 88 A Covenant (Kathryn) 88 The 5 Ds (Jon) 90 Compliment Each Other (Kathryn) 93 Focus on What They Are Doing Right (Jon) 95 Make Her Your Queen (Jon) 96 Make Him Your King (Kathryn) 97 Be Open to Feedback (Jon) 98 Team Meetings (Kathryn) 99 Give Each Other Space (Jon) 101 Create Space to Grow (Kathryn) 101 Serve (Jon) 103 Make Your Relationship a Priority (Kathryn) 108 Find Your Rhythm (Jon) 109 Stronger Together (Kathryn) 112 There is No Perfect Formula (Jon) 115 The Right Words at the Right Time (Kathryn) 116 11 Quick Tips for a Great Relationship (Kathryn) 117 11 Quick Tips for a Great Relationship (Jon) 120 Discussion Questions 127 Prayer 129 Anniversary Cards 130 Acknowledgments 133 About the Authors 134 Other Books by Jon Gordon 135