On the Road to a Successful Marriage

Marriage is a journey. The marriage trip is designed to last longer than a vacation or a trek to Grandmother’s house. To make marriage a successful experience, couples must consider things that are similar to a car trip.

Engaged couples should talk with a pastor and those who have been successfully married. They should determine where to reside as a couple. Couples should consider the characteristics of a successful marriage. A marriage of success takes a lifetime to achieve. Careful preparation is one key to successful traveling and marriage. In marriage, you must sit with you marriage partner and discuss the permanence of commitment. The marriage journey lasts a lifetime. There is some baggage that you need to throw away, like past romances. You need to discuss the excess baggage of existing debts or payments. Don’t let in-laws or children become weighty issues that will affect your trip. Just as on a road trip, every once in a while you have to stop and rest or smell the roses. In marriage, provide some time for just the two of you to be together so that the pleasure of marriage will supersede everything else. Remember that communication is one of the best ways to have a successful trip whether on the road or in marriage.

Couples should “count the cost” of sacrifice that a journey through marriage requires. Couples usually share the responsibilities and tasks of family life. However, because of health reasons or separation perhaps through the military, one spouse must take 90% of the responsibility of managing a household. Just as you plan a trip budget, a family income budget should be maintained. Discuss how the money will be used. If both are bringing incomes to the family unit, establish “our” bank account, not “mine” and “yours”. Marriages go down hill fast when there is no sharing of time, money or energy.

When you demonstrate love, empathy and forgiveness for one another, the sense of marital fulfillment will be evident. A picture of completion and success will be displayed to those who observe you. You will be on the road to a successful marriage.

The pictured cake carrys the theme of a White Bible Ceremony into the reception for an honored couple.