By Sheri & Bob Stritof
A few years ago, the two of us traveled to New England to attend a Marriage Encounter Convention. At the airport, we rented a car with two other couples. Being the controllers we all were, each couple had a map of Boston. We fussed with one another about whose map was correct since they were all a bit different regarding the one-way streets. This was before the time of GPS units and we got lost on our way to Worcester. We realized we were going in circles when we kept passing the same bicyclist. We didn't find the right road until we stopped the car, put our heads together, compared maps, and finally asked for directions.
Marriage is a topic about which people have strong feelings and thoughts. Every couple has their own "map." Marriage affects us all. It has a tremendous impact on the strength of the family and ultimately on society. Marriage is in the news a great deal. There are always articles on 50-year anniversary celebrations, upcoming wedding, divorces of celebrities, and scandalous marriages. Today's magazines are full of tests, questionnaires, tips, and advice about how to make a marriage work. Yet where is the good news about long term commitments, happy couples and stories of the excitement of traveling this marvelous journey of trust and discovery called marriage?
Our goal is to provide a place for all who are interested in marriage to come and compare "maps."Historically marriage has been around for a very long time. The institution of marriage was formed not only for the individuals getting married, but also for their society and for their future children. Due to high divorce rates and the legality of gay marriages,getting married is also a political issue. Communities, states, countries and religions are enacting legislation to require more marriage preparation before a marriage license is issued. Other societal and cultural issues affect marriages today. Some additional controversial issues include arranged marriages, teens getting married, cousins who want to marry, interracial and interfaith marriages, and cohabitation.
It is our hope that this web site will help you on your marriage journey and that you will realize you aren't alone on the journey. When problems such as domestic violence, infidelity,financial difficulties, and sexual miscommunication bring about disillusionment, you are not alone. When you are having fun, laughing with one another and are in romance, you are not alone. Through all the stages of marriage, you are not alone.
There is not just one map. We all have maps. As we journey together as a couple in our marriage, many of us will make a wrong turn, or get lost, or find ourselves on an unplanned detour not on our map. Sharing your map with the maps of others is one way to get back on the right route.
Here you will find the wisdom of those who went before us - the good, the bad and the ugly of marriage.
Here you will find the wisdom of those who are walking with you.
Here you will find hope for those who are just starting their marriage journey.
So ... who has the map? We all do. It's the collective map that is the right one.
没有评论:
发表评论