Meet special needs parents, business partners, and Christ-loving power couple Clifton (Cliff) and Lorraine Marshall. In an inspiring conversation with Stephanie Daniels, Cliff and Lorraine share about meeting on a blind date, forming a blended family, raising a child with a disability, and growing in faith—and love for one another—through life’s seasons and challenges. Tune in to be encouraged in your career, family life, and daily struggles and be equipped with Scriptures to bring you fresh hope and joy.
Meet special needs parents, business partners, and Christ-loving power couple Clifton (Cliff) and Lorraine Marshall. In an inspiring conversation with Stephanie Daniels, Cliff and Lorraine share about meeting on a blind date, forming a blended family, raising a child with a disability, and growing in faith—and love for one another—through life’s seasons and challenges. Tune in to be encouraged in your career, family life, and daily struggles and be equipped with Scriptures to bring you fresh hope and joy.
Families navigating disability often name respite care as their top unmet need. If someone you know needs encouragement, respite, and an experience of true belonging in the body of Christ, invite them to check out our Joni and Friends Retreats & Getaways!
For spouses living with disability in the family, like Cliff and Lorraine, Joni and Friends Marriage Getaway offers rich community with other couples who understand the unique challenges of disability. Learn more about this unique opportunity for encouragement through biblical teaching, worship, dinners, activities, and optional marriage coaching.
KEY QUESTIONS:
RESOURCES:
KEY SCRIPTURES:
Stephanie Daniels:
Hi friends! I’m your host, Stephanie Daniels, and you’re listening to the Joni and Friends Ministry Podcast. We’re sharing hope as we answer real questions about disability. Join us every week for an honest and encouraging conversation, along with practical ways to include people with disability in your church and community. So, grab a seat, and let’s jump in!
Clifton and Lorraine Marshall are partners in love, life, and business. They are so passionate about being kingdom builders as they work together, raise their children, and partner in the ministry work of Joni and Friends.
As a blended family, they came together and hit the ground running, raising their children, and pursuing the business dreams that God had placed in their hearts. And the Marshalls haven't been strangers to living with challenges and hardships as they've raised their kids, including a daughter with cerebral palsy. But they've managed to stay connected and do it all with joy. They love the Lord and seek to do all they can for him is they run their more than 30 airport shops and raise their family. And we are so glad to have them joining us today. Welcome to the podcast, Clifton and Lorraine.
Cliff Marshall:
Thank you.
Lorraine Marshall:
Thank you so much. It's a pleasure to be here and a blessing. So, thank you for having us.
Stephanie Daniels:
Absolutely. I'm thrilled to sit down with you both just to chat about family, parenting, disability, and ministry passions. And so, I'll start with you, Lorraine. Can you share how you and Clifton first met, and how long you've been married, and a little bit about your family?
Lorraine Marshall:
Absolutely. Clifton and I have been married for 36 years. We met on a blind date.
Stephanie Daniels:
Oh!
Lorraine Marshall:
He was looking for a professional woman. And I was looking for a professional man and we dated for about four years, and we got married.
Cliff Marshall:
And there's the rollercoaster ride, okay? From time we met, time we got married, four years, and it was everything in between.
Stephanie Daniels:
I can imagine and then you've been together 36 years, you said?
Lorraine Marshall:
Yeah.
Cliff Marshall:
Yes.
Stephanie Daniels:
That is incredible. Such a blessing. Man, set up on a blind date. I would like to know more about that.
Lorraine Marshall:
Okay. Well, I was working as a computer programmer at the time. He was an architect working at a different business. They set us up.
One of the things that I'd like to say is, I was newly off a divorce. I also had a disabled child, Crystal. She has cerebral palsy and Clif, once he met her, he actually fell in love with her before he fell in love with me, so.
Cliff Marshall:
Crystal is a sweetheart. She always treated me nicely and sweet and kind.
Stephanie Daniels:
So, you guys just kind of connected from the get-go.
Cliff Marshall:
Crystal and I did.
Lorraine Marshall:
Yeah. And then, then mom had to come in.
Cliff Marshall:
She's daddy's girl.
Lorraine Marshall:
Yeah. And she'll tell you in a heartbeat. I'm daddy's girl.
Cliff Marshall:
And she'll say, dad loved me first.
Stephanie Daniels:
So, I was gonna say, you know, Clifton, you chose to enter this relationship with Lorraine who already had a child with a disability, but it sounds like Crystal was the one that sold you on this.
Cliff Marshall:
Yeah.
Lorraine Marshall:
She was. She was. It's amazing because the Lord had to be in it because she was in a full body cast when he met her. She had had surgery for dislocated hip. Kids with cerebral palsy have hip issues and he still loved her.
Cliff Marshall:
She had a sparkling personality, which is what I really liked. The Lord put it on my heart to really connect with Crystal.
Lorraine Marshall:
They'd sit and watch football games together. He really loved her. So, when we said I do, 36 years ago, he adopted her, and she became Crystal Marshall.
Cliff Marshall:
Yes. Daddy's girl.
Lorraine Marshall:
After we were married, we have another child, Christopher. He's not disabled, but he grew up in a household where he supported and loved his sister in a wheelchair riding around and you don't mess with his big sister. So, he's very, very in tune with disability needs and taking care of his sister. And he's a great son.
Stephanie Daniels:
I love that. Well, I just want to back up a little bit, Lorraine. Cause I do want to get into Clifton and Crystal's relationship, but Lorraine, what was it like for you finding out your daughter's diagnosis? Did you know any other parents who had a child with a disability? Who was there for you if you needed to ask advice?
Lorraine Marshall:
Actually, it was quite a surprise. I had a prolapsed cord during delivery and that's what caused her cerebral palsy. I did not know any other parents. So, the whole disability arena was new to me. I had family that could be supportive at that time. We later got really involved in the church and walking with the Lord in terms of our relationship with people in the church that could also assist, but...
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah.
Lorraine Marshall:
...it was family initially and just a total surprise.
Stephanie Daniels:
I can only imagine. I'm sure that getting a diagnosis like that could send you reeling. But thank the Lord that he can really anchor us in the midst of situations like that and then surround you with a beautiful support system. I'm glad that you had your family there to walk with you through that. And so, were you really plugged into your church at that time?
Lorraine Marshall:
I was not walking with the Lord at that time. So, it was some years later when you know, I met Cliff and it was just before he adopted her, we really started walking with the Lord, going to church together, and getting reconnected with the Lord.
So, it was purely family and later, once our church family was plugged in, once we were plugged in.
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah. Okay, Clifton, I would love to hear about your relationship with Crystal. And I love that you guys say that she's a daddy's girl. That is absolutely so precious. I'm a daddy's girl as well. So, did you have any experience with disability before meeting Crystal?
Cliff Marshall:
Well, one of the reasons Lorraine was so challenged to date me is because she figured once I saw her daughter in a body cast at the time, right? She assumed I would say, “hello and goodbye.” That was her assumption.
So, Lorraine was challenged in that level. And then when I finally got to meet Crystal and then Crystal was just a little spunky thing. She really was.
I started to admire Lorraine because she's a single mother, raising a disabled child, and trying to run a major company. She had that kind of ambition, but she couldn't really execute things until Crystal was really taken care of one way or the other.
Lorraine Marshall:
One of the things that I admire as well about my husband of 36 years now is when we first got married and he adopted Crystal, I could not really allow my career to take off because I was taking care of Crystal and it takes a lot to take care of a child who has cerebral palsy in a wheelchair. She has other medical issues. And so, once he came into the fold and he saw that ambition that I really wanted do more. I couldn't really travel. There were things I just couldn't do because I had to take care of Crystal. He said, “I’ll take over.”
And he came in and he gave me that flexibility. So, my career took off. I became ultimately a senior executive with a fortune 500 company with his support, with the Lord's leading and guiding and directing us.
So, I just want to say thank you Lord for the man he put in my life and he's been a blessing to this family.
Stephanie Daniels:
That's so beautiful. Just being able to see that, that, that picture of support and what support, good support, in your life can really allow you to kind of soar. And I think a lot of families living with disability don't always have those support systems in place. I just want to say, I think all of this is a really sweet nod to the kind of person that you are Clifton. And it's a beautiful picture of how the Lord so lovingly and generously adopts us into his family and makes us his own.
1 John 3:1 says, “See how very much our father loves us for he calls us his children. And that is what we are. But the people who belong to this world don't recognize that we are God's children because they don't know him.”
But I think Clifton, you just coming in and that sweet relationship that was forged between you and Crystal, opened the door for you and Lorraine. Lorraine to let her hair down and it's beautiful what the Lord has created.
Lorraine Marshall:
Amen. Amen. I totally agree with that.
Cliff Marshall:
Yep.
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah. Well, want to shift gears a little bit. With or without disability, parents have an enormous amount of responsibility bestowed on them by God. The word literally instructs parents to train them up in the way they should go. And then Proverbs 13:22 gives instruction that a good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children.
And so, you guys, you plan for an inheritance that will help your children build a life that honors God. How has this, and other passages in Scripture, shaped your approach to preparing your children's future over the years?
Cliff Marshall:
Let's start with Crystal. Crystal has cerebral palsy, but the biggest challenge is the impulse control disorder. When she wants something, she wants it right now. That is a real challenge. And for the first four years of marriage, it was really difficult to find somebody to take care of her because we never knew when this impulse control disorder would raise its ugly head. And so…
Stephanie Daniels:
Can you, just to interrupt really quick, can you explain impulse control disorder?
Cliff Marshall:
Yeah, sure, sure. When you want something, you want it right now, whether you can get it or not, whether it is feasible or not, whether it is realistic or not. Let's say Crystal is supposed to get a hot dog, fries, and a drink. But instead, she gets a hot dog, potato chips, and a drink.
Stephanie Daniels:
Okay.
Cliff Marshall:
Well, she was expecting fries, and she got potato chips, she'll go ballistic. And when she has tantrums, arms flailing, yelling, screaming, kicking. That's what she went through. After 20 different doctors, therapists, counselors, we finally found a psychiatrist who really understood Crystal.
And he says, she suffers from impulse control disorder. And we said, well, why couldn't anybody else diagnose that? And he says, well, they're not really in tune with that type of thing. He has dealt with a lot of that with traumatic brain injury. He says she has very little serotonin to her brain. Just like somebody was injured in a car accident and they have a TBI. So, he says, “I'm going prescribe this medication. Crystal is on a winding road going 100 miles an hour in a car with no brakes."
Stephanie Daniels:
Wow.
Cliff Marshall:
That's her life right now. What this medication is going to do is going to smooth out the road some, it's going to put brakes in her car, and it's going to slow down the speed of the car. She will still crash and burn, but she won't do it every day. Maybe one or two times a week.” And after I think three or four weeks of that medication, that's what happened. Her behavior became more manageable. You could reason with her rather than her becoming totally irrational.
Lorraine Marshall:
It's the fixation. So, in a nutshell, it's fixating on something, and it has to run its course for her to either get whatever she's fixated on, or not. And the medication really did help smooth it out and we were like, wow, we've got some peace here.
She's not healed from it or anything, but we still pray and ask the Lord's blessings upon her, and our family, and behaviors. And it's just what we have to walk through right now and the Lord's in it with us. And so, we are comforted in that.
Cliff Marshall:
And one thing, I am a type A personality.
Stephanie Daniels:
Mm hmm.
Cliff Marshall:
So, if I put my mind to something, I'm determined to see it through.
Lorraine Marshall:
And he didn't give up and he's like, I love you. No matter what your behaviors are, I'm sticking in here with you and your mom. And the Lord's brought about a beautiful thing. She becomes rational a lot sooner now than when we first got married. It is wonderful to see that we can reason with her and talk to her, and she can come down a lot sooner.
Stephanie Daniels:
I love what you said just a little bit ago, that the Lord was in it with you. He really is in the thick of it with us. So, I love that Crystal would have a meltdown, and you guys are just trying to get her through that, the Lord was in it with you. That's a sweet reminder of who he is in the tough times.
Lorraine Marshall:
Amen.
Cliff Marshall:
Yeah.
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah.
Lorraine Marshall:
And when she's good, she is such a joy to be around. She has such a wonderful personality. She's funny and we just enjoy her and it's like a very loving relationship. When she's off, she's really off, when she's good, she's wonderful and on and we just enjoy her company immensely.
Stephanie Daniels:
Well, in kind of talking about preparing for their future, you know, you've got Crystal who has cerebral palsy and then you have Christopher who is typical. So how does that work? You know, investing into both of them caring for both of your kids, both who have different needs.
Cliff Marshall:
Crystal was about 15, 16 when Christopher was born, right?
Lorraine Marshall:
Yes.
Cliff Marshall:
Yes. And so, at that time Crystal was finishing school, and Christopher was a newborn baby. So, them growing up together that never really happened, because at that time Crystal's behavior was still somewhat erratic, and it was time for her to leave the house. So, as time went on, she would be over the house all the time and then the two of them just bonded. We were just really happy to see, Christopher was about five or six, and he says, "Why does she act that way?"
Lorraine Marshall:
Yeah.
Cliff Marshall:
We began to explain to him that she has certain medical issues. He said, "Well, can't you put a band aid on it?"
Stephanie Daniels:
Aww. That's so sweet.
Cliff Marshall:
And he says, no that's the way she is. We love her dearly. And this is very special child the Lord gave us to love. And as you get older, you'll understand more.
Lorraine Marshall:
Right. And just in taking care of her, she's in our will, obviously. As well as Christopher. And we've set it up so that if something happens to us, Christopher would be the one that would be taking care of Crystal.
Cliff Marshall:
Crystal does not know how fortunate she is to have a little brother like him. She is truly blessed. Little brother really cares for and loves her and will do the best for her. We're not concerned about that if we're not around.
Stephanie Daniels:
That's one of my favorite things to see when I get to go serve at a Family Retreat. It's to see the siblings really loving on their sibling that has special needs. The care and the love and concern that these siblings show toward their siblings who have a disability. It is just so precious to me. They get it. You know, they get it. The parents have done great job training them up and saying, hey, like, "this is how you need to love and serve and support your brother or sister." And so I think Crystal is blessed to have the brother she has. That's so sweet.
I want to quickly touch on the fact that you both are in business together. When my husband and I decided to go into ministry together, I remember a friend of mine had a really strong reaction to the idea. And she was like, how are you going to handle being together constantly? Driving to work together, problem solving together, eating together every day together.
So, when the two of you made the decision to start a business together, did you have any of these same concerns?
Cliff Marshall:
Yeah, they're always concerned about that. A really important thing is we have prayed together since the time we got married. Said, "Lord, if this is going to work, make it work for us."
I'm an entrepreneur, has always been in my blood. Lorraine is corporate. And she knew how to climb the corporate ladder and get up to the top. But when Lorraine came into the entrepreneurial world, she had a lot of learning to do. And fortunately, she learned quickly. But there is a whole different mindset between being an entrepreneur and being in corporate America.
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah.
Cliff Marshall:
And that was the transition she had to learn. The best example that I tell people, entrepreneurs jump out of airplanes, and they learn how to build a parachute on the way down.
Lorraine Marshall:
Yeah.
Stephanie Daniels:
Oh wow.
Cliff Marshall:
That's what it means to be an entrepreneur. Lorraine is very, very talented. Just blessed to have her because she is very, very sharp in business and was able to make that transition very quickly.
And so, I think she made it in about six months which, you know, that's record time. Got to a point where she said, I'm ready to start my own business. So, what we do is we'll start one business then she'll be the president, next business, I'll be the president.
We run five businesses, maybe six now, we're about to start another.
Stephanie Daniels:
Oh, my goodness!
Cliff Marshall:
It's one of those things where we have such respect for each other's abilities that it works.
Stephanie Daniels:
That's so beautiful. What advice would you give to other couples out there? Maybe they're trying, some may be trying to cultivate a thriving marriage while being in business together day in and day out. Some may be raising kids some may be navigating disability. What advice would you share to people that might find themselves in that space?
Lorraine Marshall:
I would say prayer. Prayer is what's kept us going. It is our lifeline to the Lord for all of our issues, concerns. I mean, in business there's always something going on. So, there's always an issue. You're always in prayer. You're always in communication with the Lord. Like Cliff said, we pray together every day.
Have the Lord front and center in your marriage and your business and everything. Integrity is really important to us. Giving back to the Lord as he's prospered us in business, we give 20 percent of our gross to his kingdom, to the ministries like Joni and Friends, and other ministries that promote his kingdom, so.
Cliff Marshall:
We could live in a bigger house, drive nicer cars and all that good stuff because the Lord's blessed us with really good income. But at the same time, we're comfortable in our house. Our cars drive well, and it's better to build the treasures up in heaven than it is here.
Lorraine Marshall:
Yes. So, so we would just tell those people, whatever you're doing, always give it to the Lord.
Cliff Marshall:
One thing I would like to say though.
Stephanie Daniels:
Mm-hmm.
Cliff Marshall:
If a husband and wife are thinking about going into business together, make sure that you're compatible business-wise, and ask the Lord to show you if this is going to work because sometimes it doesn't.
Christian couples they start working together they have more problems after they start working together than they do when they weren't because each style is different. Let's say one likes to play jazz and the other one likes to play classical. It's really hard for those two styles to harmonize.
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah.
Lorraine Marshall:
Like what Clifton was saying earlier, we respect one another and so it's a good point of whether or not your styles and how you lead and manage and run things are compatible. But we respect one another. We stay in our lane. So, what he does well, he does, and I don't jump in there and try to tell him how to do stuff. And when I do well I'm good in my lane.
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah. It seems like it works. Because it's where one of you is weak, the other one is strong and vice versa. So, it seems like it works well.
And you mentioned when you're talking about being blessed to be a blessing and giving to a ministry like Joni and Friends, why is that important to you all?
Cliff Marshall:
We really believe that our treasures are in heaven.
Lorraine Marshall:
Yes.
Cliff Marshall:
We give to ministries that have been most impactful to us personally. Because Crystal has a disability, we love Joni and Friends.
Lorraine Marshall:
Yeah. And the reason we even got to know about Joni and Friends is because of Crystal on our Christian radio. We were listening to it because she has a disability and we're listening and it's like, this is wonderful. And Crystal absolutely loved listening to Joni, and it would calm her down and she would feel at peace, and we just learned a lot. We started just loving the ministry. We started what, 30 some years ago?
Cliff Marshall:
We started giving like $15 a month.
Lorraine Marshall:
That's all we could afford at the time. But, and it's all because of the Lord. And as he has given us increase, we increase our giving to his kingdom because that's really what it's about. We're here for a short amount of time. And what are you doing for the Lord and for just promoting his kingdom? Because ultimately, we're not eternal here. We're going to spend eternity in heaven, and we want our rewards to be great in heaven…
Stephanie Daniels:
That is right.
Lorraine Marshall:
...for the things we have done here on earth for his kingdom.
Stephanie Daniels:
I love that. And you are really making a difference in the lives of so many living with disability.
You know, we often talk about how disability doesn't discriminate. It doesn't care what your socioeconomic status is. It can impact anyone at any time. So being parents of a child with cerebral palsy, you intimately understand the needs and challenges of disability. Have you ever felt like you're losing hope? And if so, what's encouraged you in difficult times?
Lorraine Marshall:
When Crystal's behaviors are kind of out of control we just say, Lord, help us. It's those times when you're most stressed, you're most pulled upon emotionally to persevere and keep going, you just have to cry out to the Lord and sometimes it's with tears and...
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah.
Lorraine Marshall:
...it's with, “Lord Jesus this is what we have to deal with right now in this time in our lives and we know you're in it with us, so please help us.”
The Lord is our helper. Scripture is very clear on that. He is our helper. He's our rock, he's our high tower and we run to him, run to him, when we're going through those times because it is challenging.
Cliff Marshall:
Yeah.
Lorraine Marshall:
It is difficult.
Cliff Marshall:
Especially when she's having her major tantrums and you're just worn down. People who have gone through this understand it. You don't have to explain it to them. They love their child, but boy, they just have a hard time, it is so intense.
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah.
Cliff Marshall:
And then it was, "Okay, Lord. All right. I can't deal with this anymore. You gotta help us get through this." And the Lord would always come through with something. Sometimes it would just be a little minor thing to anybody else, but it's major to us because he heard that prayer that we need help. Even the best of people can be broken by this because it's so intense, so stressful, and you just say, "Hey, Lord, this is it. I've reached the end of my rope."
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah.
Cliff Marshall:
But the Lord will come through. He's come through for us time and time again.
Lorraine Marshall:
And he will continue to do so.
Stephanie Daniels:
Amen.
Lorraine Marshall:
And that in our weakness that's when we can be strong in him. It is definite that we are weak during those times. We absolutely rely on the Lord. We could not do this...
Cliff Marshall:
No, no way.
Lorraine Marshall:
...without the Lord.
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah. Well, he is so faithful. He does get all the glory. He knows what we need exactly when we need it. I'm thankful that he's no stranger to our pain. He is intimately acquainted with our suffering. When we're in those times, he shows up with his comfort.
A friend of mine shared just today how she got a bad diagnosis. She was very disappointed and a friend of hers sent her a picture of flowers. And she said that ministered to me so much because the Lord has always spoken to her with flowers. And so, it was just a sweet reminder right when she needed it. I love that he shows up right on time to encourage us.
So, how would you encourage those listening who might be in the same place, feeling the weight of caregiving and in need of respite?
Cliff Marshall:
For the first 4 years we were married, Lorraine and I never went out together by ourselves. It was always the 3 of us.
Stephanie Daniels:
Wow.
Cliff Marshall:
Crystal, Lorraine, and me. And then United Cerebral Palsy provided a respite program so we could actually go out on dates. But they would only be about three hours, so that's time for a dinner and a movie.
Lorraine Marshall:
Everyone needs a break. It's emotionally draining, physically draining. So whatever individuals can do to get that break. None of us are super men or women. We rely on the Lord, but your bodiez get worn out and your emotions get worn out. So, you do need to take a break. So, whatever that can be with someone that loves you and that you trust to take care of your child, we would highly recommend that. It helped us tremendously.
Stephanie Daniels:
100%. I love that.
Cliff Marshall:
What I would also encourage people to do is getting on a waiting list as soon as possible for whatever programs are available. I mean it took Crystal, what, three years to get into a group home? We put her on that list as soon as possible.
Do things like special Olympics. The aids are there to help the child and you can rest a little, and enjoy yourselves and meet other parents who are in a similar situation sort of forge those relationships so that you can take care of each other's children for a while, just to help out and get a little rest.
Lorraine Marshall:
I would say that finding someone that you trust that can help you, whether it be something through Joni and Friends, something through your local church. Our church has a disability ministry. Family members. Resources that are available within your state. Each state is different. Disability associations and agencies that can provide that.
And then pray for who would be the best person for your child so that you know that you can leave and feel comfortable that whoever is taking care of them, that they're doing a great job. We have a really good caregiver for Crystal who's been with her for over 10 years. She's like family.
Stephanie Daniels:
Oh yeah, I love that.
Lorraine Marshall:
So, you find people that love your child and I mean, she loves Crystal.
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah.
Lorraine Marshall:
And we love her. So, I mean, when you find someone like that, they're, they're golden.
Stephanie Daniels:
You are.
Lorraine Marshall:
And put them in your life.
Stephanie Daniels:
That is so true. You know, my mom has Alzheimer's and so we had to put her in a group home as well. And I love the lady that takes care of her. This lady. loves Jesus and she knows how to pray. I just feel so at peace and just so thankful that she's there caring for my mom while we're not there. So, you are not wrong. A good caregiver is a true blessing.
And I, have to insert our Joni and Friends Family Retreats because a lot of attendees across the country that attend them say it's just like a little slice of heaven on earth. You're with families that get your struggle and get the journey of disability. And it's just a great time of connection. The parents get a little time to rest and recharge. The kids and the siblings get paired with volunteers that really help them have just a great experience for about five days. It's relaxing and recharging and encouraging. You get filled with the word and good food, I have to say.
So, yes, I would, I would plug our Family Retreats and then Marriage Getaways as well. If the couples can get away and invest in their marriages, I would say those are great opportunities for respite.
Lorraine Marshall:
Amen. Amen.
Stephanie Daniels:
Well, Clifton and Lorraine, as we wrap up, one thing that is apparent is the joy that exudes from both of you. I love how you giggle together, it's so sweet. So how do you allow the joy of the Lord to be your strength as you lead your family, and steward your businesses, and cultivate your marriage?
Cliff Marshall:
Well, as I say, we pray and we ask for direction. And so, when we make a decision together, we both have to agree. If we have a decision to make and then one sees things one way and the other sees it another way. Okay, let's search the Word, pray again, and see what happens. And then eventually one of us will come around and then that's the direction we take.
We cannot underestimate the importance of prayer. It is absolutely critical in everything you do. Sometimes we don't always see eye to eye. Lorraine has her style. I have my style. Sometimes I have to acquiesce to what she wants and vice versa.
For our marriage, I take great responsibility in being the head of the marriage. But most people miss it. Well, most men miss it when it comes to being the head of the marriage. The husband has to be the first to love, the first to serve, and the first to sacrifice.
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah.
Cliff Marshall:
Jesus said, who is greatest among you, let him serve. So, if you want to be great in your family, you got to serve your wife and kids. And then you have to sacrifice. We have to love our wives as Jesus loved the church.
I don't know where I heard this, but it's absolutely true. The best way to love your kids is to love their mother. As the man you have to be. The first to love, the first to serve, and the first to sacrifice. That's what makes you a true leader.
Lorraine Marshall:
I would say I totally agree with what my husband just said. He does that quite well in leading our family.
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah.
Lorraine Marshall:
And he's a godly man. He loves the Lord. And so I don't mind following because he loves the Lord.
Stephanie Daniels:
Yes.
Lorraine Marshall:
So, I know he's going to be listening to the Lord Jesus on what direction our family needs to take. And I support him in there as his helpmate, as the Lord commands. And I'm okay with that because he is, he's a godly man.
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah.
Lorraine Marshall:
And he loves the Lord. And I've seen how he works with our family, with the kids. Christopher gets a new proverb every day from his father.
Stephanie Daniels:
I love it.
Lorraine Marshall:
That is just such a godly heart of just building up someone in the Lord and just making sure that your child, “train up a child in the way they should go so when they're older they're not apart from it.”
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah.
Lorraine Marshall:
So, I see those things in him. I see his relationship with Crystal, I know his relationship with me and how he's there to support me as I go through my business growth. He's a godly man and I love that.
And our joy comes from just who the Lord is over us. I start my day with, "This is the day the Lord has made, and we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 and Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with your whole heart. Do not lean on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge him and he'll direct your path." So, God is, God is the focal point of this marriage.
So, when you have it in right order with Jesus over us and then my husband, me and the kids, then you're structured properly for the Lord to minister to your family and have you do what his will is for your family.
Stephanie Daniels:
So many amazing and truthful nuggets in what you guys just shared. I am just so thankful for you guys being with us today. It's been so wonderful getting to chat with you, getting to know you and hear your story. You two understand disability firsthand, and you're sharing Gospel hope and joy with other families. You are blessed to be a blessing and you're walking that out as you work hard in business, take care of your family, and help others living with disability around the world through Joni and Friends.
So, thank you so much for joining us today.
Cliff Marshall:
Thank you for having us.
Lorraine Marshall:
Thank you. We enjoyed it.
Stephanie Daniels:
We hope this conversation touched your heart today. If it did, consider sharing it with someone who might be encouraged as well. And don’t forget to follow us on your favorite podcasting app so you never miss an episode. See you next week!
© Joni and Friends