WHATCHU TALKIN BOUT WILLIS?

I grew up when Diff'rent Strokes was a popular television show. That's no big deal unless your last name is Willis. To this day I still hear those famous words popularized by Arnold: "Whatchu talkin bout Willis?" Usually they are uttered by someone looking at me as though I may have never heard it before. Yeah, right! Well this blog is what I (Willis) am talkin bout...my thoughts, observations & opinions. Enjoy...



Thursday, March 12, 2009

Marriage Assault

Marriages are under assault in case you haven't noticed. I notice. I see it ALL THE TIME. Satan knows "if it ain't broke don't fix it" and his strategy ain't broke! I have seen many "Christian" marriages wrecked over the years. Many more than I care to remember. I've learned some important lessons too. Lessons like: There are two sides to every story. People are basically going to do what they want to do. People want confirmation not counsel. Many "Christian" marriages aren't very "Christian". Thankfully there are rare exceptions, but my negative experiences have been reinforced repeatedly through the years. I honestly struggle to muster much effort in some of these cases (maybe that's why they turn out like they do). It's like seeing your team taking on a much superior team - you almost know it's over before it begins. I guess failure replayed has a tendency to harden us. In my estimation couples wait until things almost too far gone before they attempt a rescue. Often this "attempt" is weak at best - it's too late (in their minds). And, yes. the odds aren't in their favor at this point. Sometimes its pride - they don't want anyone to know. Sometimes they don't want to save the marriage. And often there children involved - HOW SAD! So, what's the solution? I don't think it is another marriage seminar. It goes way deeper.

4 comments:

Levi said...

Marriage mentors? I've thought about that for awhile and have never seen it or anything but think it could work. Partner a couple who are newly married with a couple who have been married for 30+ years to get together as much as they want but no less then once a month and just share. The newlyweds can pick their brains and the still marrieds can reminisce about the good old days and rekindle some romance as they reflect on the great and not so great years that they have been through together. It would take the right still married couples (Ones who are happily married not just hanging on) and the willingness of the newlyweds but I think it just may work.

David H. Willis said...

Good thoughts bro. I like it.

SammyBoy said...

I've been thinking about how to establish that kind of practice here, as an adjunct to marriage counseling by me. A strong, long-married Christian couple would surely be a much better resource for a couple planning to be that way than I would in a few office sessions. I might reserve a couple of sessions for some basic Biblical marriage issues.

Melissa said...

As an older married couple, my hubby and I try to mentor our newlywed friends as much as possible. Even the best premarital counseling doesn't prepare you for everything you encounter. After 8 years of some really good and really difficult times, we have learned how to weather the storms and where to keep our focus. I'm sure we still have more struggles and such ahead of us but we both serve a faithful God who will see us through.

I love Levi's thoughts on marriage mentors.