Well Easter is now behind us and it’s time for some more relationship classes. Once again we sit under the teaching of John Pearson, leader of the singles ministry at First Baptist Church of Douglasville. www.fbcdouglasville.org. This new class is by author DRS. Les & Leslie Parrott and the study is “How to save your marriage before it starts”. Unlike our previous class “The Five love languages” this class is going to require Denise and I to do a little homework and spend some time discussing it but, I’m sure we will come out of this with even more ammunition to help in the war against divorce.
Before we begin I do want to mention that not only with this post but, all post to follow on this class is constructed solely on my own personal notes and observations taken during each class. I urge each of you to find a local venue which offers this class and complete it in its entirety with you mate. If you cannot find a location offering these classes please feel free to contact me and I will help you with your search.
With all that legal stuff out of the way let’s get started. You should take a moment and ask your spouse what is the most romantic movie they can think of. Compare that with your all-time favorite and you may start to see the difference between each of your views of the emotion romance.
One myth in a relationship is that my partner is going to be just like me and will want all the same things out of life that I do. That couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact we will find a lot of differences between ourselves and our mate.
Another myth is that everything will get better. Many couples go into relationships filled with past hurts and condemnation, believing that it is going to just go away. The truth is, however, problems don’t just go away. If you have past hurts then not only should you receive counseling to overcome these hang ups but, your partner should seek guidance to better understand them as well.
A third myth to avoid is that your partner should make you whole. I’m sure you may be thinking as I was that my partner is supposed to complete me. Do you remember that well know scene in the movie Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) when he says to Dorothy Boyd (Renée Zellweger) “You complete me”? The truth is that if you try to build a relationship before being complete yourself then you will rely on the strength and traits of your mate to fulfill wholeness. Conflict begins when your mate fails to “Complete” you which may lead you to believe that they are the problem.
The preceding information is personal notes and observation. I encourage you to complete the entire course study of “Saving your marriage before it starts” to receive all that Les & Leslie Parrott intended for you to learn.
Understanding yourself and your mate greatly increases the probability of success. I want to invite you to leave a comment and share with a friend.
Tommy Eldridge
Life after the Altar Ministry.
