During the month of February, we are excited to profile a different couple each day on our Blog site. We have asked each couple to share their answers to specific questions concerning marriage and family. The couples we have invited are at different stages in their marriage… Some have been married for decades while others for a few years. There are even couples who are separated with hopes of reconciling as well as couples currently experiencing a challenging time in their marriage. The one thing all of these couples have in common is their willingness to share “real” insights to help strengthen other marriages, families, and those desiring to be married.
Marriages are NOT all perfect and just because there are challenges doesn’t mean it cannot evolve into a GREAT marriage. Challenges = Growth Opportunities.
Our intention is to create more realistic depictions of marriage…the “real” deal and what it takes to make a marriage work. As you will realize by reading these couples’ insights, GREAT marriages don’t just happen. They take conscious effort and continuous work.
So let us learn from their wisdom. Feel free to chime in and ask questions or even just share your thoughts. After reading today’s insights, post your comment to the question: “What did I learn from today’s insights?” Let’s continue sharing insights. It is our desire to create a dialog so we all learn from others’ experiences and mistakes because this will help create more healthier marriages and families. Join the movement!
Let’s now read some insights from Randy and Ree-Ree Burke…
Married 14 years with 3 children
How do you keep the passion and excitement alive in your marriage?
HAVE FUN! We believe one of the chief causes for the destruction of marriages today is BOREDOM. Sure finances and infidelity top the list but we believe before that happens boredom has to set in. That said, HAVE FUN! If you went to jazz clubs, comedy clubs, or skiing before you got married, keep it up. The best way to do it is to schedule it. For instance, every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month do something to have fun. That way you don’t have to think about it, fun becomes a habit and automatic because you’ve scheduled it.
What makes the difference between having a GREAT marriage and a good marriage?
Willingness and effort! Two people have to want to make it work and be willing to surrender to the other spouse’s wishes at times. The sad part about many marriages is that couples simply aren’t willing to compromise and make the effort to have a great marriage or schedule fun events. They wait to see if their spouse makes an effort and only then will they take action. If your wife wants you to come shopping with her and you don’t like shopping, do it for her. If your husband wants you to watch football and you don’t like football, do it for him. It is that effort and willingness to do for your spouse that makes a marriage go from good to great.
How important a role does God play in your marriage and family?
Critical! He is the third party in the marriage and many people forget that when they got married, they married God too. When you have to report to God on the status of your marriage it makes you think long and hard about giving it up. God said in Malachi 2:16 that “He hates divorce.” If both spouses believe in God and read that scripture, it is hard to report to God, Creator of the Universe, that you just quit on your spouse.
How do you resolve conflict so you maintain peace and harmony in your family?
We “give in” to each other. We believe most conflicts are hard to resolve due to PRIDE and not really because of the issue. One spouse won’t give into the issue because he or she wants to be right or win the conflict. There have been many occasions where one of us “gives in” to the other person in order for peace to happen, whether we believe we are right or wrong. Sometimes you have to agree to disagree. You’ll find in most issues, the issue isn’t that important to argue over. Just agree to disagree and keep it moving! You don’t have to agree on everything just because you’re married.
Post your comments to these two questions: “Which of these insights can I apply to my relationship?” “What do I have to add that’s working in my relationship?”
Loading ...