Openness

Love is the greatest gift and the greatest risk. To be completely open with the one whose opinion matters most, requires a deep trust. It's a difficult balance to achieve in marriage, this standing on the precipice of understanding and rejection. That the risk is worth the result in no way makes it easier to be transparent with one another. God knows how we feel. He risked His own Son to reach out and let a world of fallen people into His heart.

The emotional and mental differences between men and women can become insurmountable obstacles to a lasting, fulfilling relationship when ignored or misunderstood. However, those same differences, when recognized and appreciated, can become stepping-stones to a meaningful, fulfilling relationship.

Are you willing to take the risk to grow together in your marriage so the second half is far better than the first half? It may involve making yourself more vulnerable to your spouse and disclosing yourself in deeper way. Or it may involve rearranging your schedule, learning skills, or changing some of your personal habits. But if you want to have a more personal and satisfying relationship with your spouse for the second half of marriage, we encourage you to take this challenge seriously.