The Secret To Success In Courtship And Marriage, Sex And Happiness (Part 5)

 Those who are very young when they marry have three strikes against them. --PROFESSOR MARCIA LASSWELL.  Are you ready for marriage? Hold your answer until you know whether you are qualified to go into it. First know that there is nothing like trial marriage. When God instituted the first marriage between our first parents, Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, he did not tell them to try it first, and dump it afterward. It was for life; and nothing would break it excerpt adultery, or perhaps death. (Genesis 2: 18, 23, 24; Matthew 19: 3  9) So know that this union is for life, and that you will even go through tribulations in course of the marriage. -- 1 Corinthians 7: 28. Now how do you answer the following questions: Do I have great expectations? That is the first major problem. Because you are not going to see that wonderland that you expected after the honeymoon. The scales will fall from your eyes. Consider these life experiences. We thought that we could come and go, do as we pleased, . . . but it isnt that way. Many teenagers get married to play house. . . . but thats not the way it is. After I got married I found out that the great thrill of sex wears off very soon and then we started having real problems. So do not have great romantic expectations. Childhood marriages -- physical immaturity, may blur your vision and understanding of married life. Am I ready for my roles? Some people enter marriage without even knowing their roles in the family. The husband fails to provide material support, and the wife neglects her housekeeping role. Married men are reported to be still hanging out late at night, drinking with friends, away from their wives. Even those who work hard to maintain the family are frustrated. This is hard work said one. Will I ever get some relief? Can I solve money problems? This is the greatest cause of marital problems. Some can not provide money to support the family, and where money is available, the problem is overspending. In the end, families have become heavily indebted, while others pack to live with their parents. In extreme cases, divorce becomes the solution. Do I have a compatible mate? Being compatible does not mean that you and your partner must agree on everything under the sun. Or that your mate should be able to play baseball since you are a baseball star. No. But if you are miles apart on almost everything -- work, recreation, attitude, and beliefs, you should know that you are not equally matched. Consider one woman who thought that her marriage must work because her partner was so handsome, so strong, such a good athlete and very popular. Was she being realistic? No. She was dreaming of Shangri-La, or building castles in the air, as they say. The marriage collapsed! Have I thoroughly examined myself? So ask yourself if you are the type that can make vows and keep them. Ask if your goals in life will affect your marriage. Find out if you can support or manage a household. Check to see if you are mature to handle trials that will surface later in the marriage. If your answers are positive, if you think that you have the physical, mental and spiritual maturity to go into marriage, then ask yourself this question; what are the keys to family happiness? Do you know them? Now, lets see. (To be continued) Copyright ) 2002, all rights reserved