Marriage class number 4!

Tonight was our 4th marriage class. I have to admit, at first I wasn't sure I wanted to go, because I was sure I probably already knew most of the stuff that we should or should not do in our marriage. We had some friends that wanted to go and so we decided to do it as a foursome. It has been incredible, and maybe I did already know most of the things that have been taught, but the teacher is so passionate about making  your marriage not only work... but making it be the BEST, has been very enlightening.

I am guilty of just getting stuck at times in my marriage. I let my perspective get out of focus and that is detrimental to our relationship. Pretty soon all I can see if the things that drive me crazy or things that are still not working, and I focus in on them and as you can imagine ...that doesn't bring very much happiness into the home. I have learned that even though I am pretty sure that most of our problems are because of Jeff  :) ( just kidding )  ,it doesn't take long for me to learn that the only person I can change is me. I usually have to start with changing my thoughts, and then focus only on the good. It is funny that you have to work that hard at times but ...I think marriage is hard, one of the hardest (but best) things I have ever done.

Not only do you start with opposites, a man and a woman (which we have learned all the differences that come from that) but then you also come from different life experiences and backgrounds, so that changes how you see or act toward certain things. Then you add in children to that mix and your different experiences or opinions on how to raise and parent them. Then you add in finances, health or lack of it and ....well, did I already say how hard marriage is?

Tonight our focus was ...it is worth the effort we put into it! We should never give up, but continue to try to make it the very best we can. Forgiving, forgetting and practicing patience every single day, hour and minute. We need to be careful on how hard we judge each other, and truly try to focus on the positive. We talked about how the good and bad in our marriages, effect our children, and how we need to be very aware of that. How we need to understand it is our responsibility to make our marriages the best, so that we set the proper example for our kids. We need to put each other first, even before ourselves. Yes, I am glad that our friends and us decided to take this class, I don't think any one can learn TOO MUCH about preserving our relationships and our marriages. It is a vital part of our lives and our home and we need to keep working on it! The bottom line is ...you need to keep trying, over and over again! Because when all is right between Jeff and I, everything is right with the world! It truly is worth it!

 

"The more you invest in a marriages, the more valuable it becomes."  ~ Amy Grant 

"Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through being the right mate."  ~Barnett R. Brickner

"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person."  ~Mignon McLaughlin