Investing in Your Marriage

The natural tendency within a marriage is a gradual movement from oneness toward isolation. Couples start out together with the best of intentions, but without the proper care and feeding, each partner gravitates to their own wants and desires, and the joy and effectiveness of the marriage unity dissipates. 

The two of us were married in 1992 and, from the very beginning, we made it a focus to work on our relationship. We had both come from divorced parents and we wanted our relationship to grow and flourish, not deteriorate to divorce. We realized early on that in order for us to have a thriving marriage, we needed to learn how to communicate, to accept each other’s differences, to forgive, and to encourage one another. 

Throughout the past three decades, we have participated in a number of marriage retreats, seminars, Bible studies, etc. Further, we’ve visited with professional therapists from time to time (we’re seeing one now). And, while our marriage is far from perfect, we have been on the path of growing together and experiencing God’s best intentions for marriage. We really do cherish each other.

Like all great things in life (including our faith), it takes work to be successful. Our experience has been that the time we put into building our relationship has paid off tremendously in our enjoyment as a couple. Marriage wasn’t designed to be some sort of drudgery that is to be endured. Marriage was designed by God, and he wants you to thrive in your marriage. 

The two of us have been involved in facilitating a variety of marriage courses over the years, and we’re looking forward to you joining us for the Vertical Marriage Seminar, Feb. 24-25. Whether your marriage is at a high point or you’re barely holding on, we know you’ll come away with a new hope and some tools to help your marriage be all God intended it to be.