A couple who had finalized their divorce arrangements were persuaded to attend the retreat simply because their son had pleaded with them. They agreed to attend on condition that this would be the very last thing they would do together. During the course of the day, this couple reconciled.
Often we go into relationships to fulfill our selfish needs, seeking love and security. However, after a while, our partners turn out to be 'different' to what we expected. The greatest hurt is a broken promise. We keep looking at meeting our own needs When our selfish needs are not met, our marriages become stale and empty and we drift apart. How true. We blame our partners, become self righteous, cling to our kids as a source of security, and finally live empty lives and pass on those negative vibes to our children. Most times we deal with the answers we have from our past, because we have not discovered God's plan in our lives.
During this retreat , the participants learnt that in a Christian marriage, when a husband and wife take their vows, God enters into the marriage as a 3rd person. Hence, there is a supernatural element to a Christian marriaige.. His promise 'to give us a future with hope' (Jer.29:11) stands firm for both parties, not for one. Not happiness for one at the cost of the other. That is God's promise.
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