Reflecting on our over 42 years of marriage, it’s hard to believe how far we’ve come in overcoming marital challenges. Our story began on a tumultuous note, marked by an over-the-top passionate first date that quickly spiraled into a cycle of brokenness. For 27 years, we were handcuffed with many challenges that plagued our relationship. Despite our best efforts, we often felt like we were on the brink of divorce. Yet, through almost three decades, one of us held onto hope and never truly wanted to end our marriage. The Early Years: A Rocky Start Our relationship began with the intensity of youthful love, but on our wedding night, we both felt we’d made a mistake, yet we never talked about those feelings till decades
The Journey to a Christ-Centered Relationship I don’t want anyone to start reading this article and think we have a perfect marriage because we don’t. It’s truly amazing, and other than my salvation, the greatest gift from the Lord has been my marriage relationship with Kath. Overcoming a Broken Past When I think of how broken I was in chapter 2 of our book, looking back at the kid growing up with his mom being married 9 times, two of the men twice, and the abuse from some of those men that hardened me for almost the 5 decades of my life. How could I have a normal marriage relationship? How could it ever thrive? I can tell you it took me getting to the
One of my biggest regrets after more than 30 years of marriage, is that I didn’t take pre-marital counseling seriously This article first appeared here on FoxNews.com. For 31 years of being married, my wife and I never talked about sex. For the first time, we both thought our marriage was finally solid. After years of secrets and affairs and bringing our own traumas into our marriage, we went to a marriage conference, for once, not because our relationship was barely hanging on by a thread, but to get encouraging information that we could share with other couples as we started our own marriage ministry. Then there was Saturday night. The homework for that night concerned sex. Not necessarily doing it. Talking about it. To each
With dedication and perseverance, you can create a marriage that can stand the test of time Article Highlights: Personal Experience: Tim Bush and his wife Kathy faced numerous near-divorces during their 40-year marriage but always managed to fight for their relationship. Importance of Communication: Emphasizes the need for open, honest communication in marriage to prevent resentment and misunderstandings. Avoiding Conflict Avoidance: Stresses the danger of sweeping issues under the rug and the need to confront and resolve conflicts. Seeking Support: Encourages couples to seek support from trusted friends, family, or professional counselors to navigate challenging times. Long-term Perspective: Highlights the importance of considering the long-term implications of divorce, including the impact on children and future generations. Shared Values: Advises couples to reconnect with the values
Article source: FoxNews.com “One of my biggest regrets after more than 30 years of marriage, is that I didn’t take pre-marital counseling seriously” For 31 years of being married, my wife and I never talked about sex. For the first time, we both thought our marriage was finally solid. After years of secrets and affairs and bringing our own traumas into our marriage, we went to a marriage conference, for once, not because our relationship was barely hanging on by a thread, but to get encouraging information that we could share with other couples as we started our own marriage ministry. Then there was Saturday night. “I WAS SO IN LOVE WITH MY WIFE, BUT ON OUR WEDDING NIGHT WE KNEW IT WAS A MISTAKE” The