Last week my wife and I registered to attend a marriage retreat at our church. A year ago we joined a group of married couples called The Domestic Church. From September through May, we meet one time a month. We have a simple meal together, read from the bible, share how the passage impacts our lives, and end with a prayer.
As a member of The Domestic Church, we are asked to attend a couples retreat one time during a calendar year. Last evening we gathered with three other couples to listen to our spouses, share dialogue about how our marriage is doing, and enjoy a seven-course Italian dinner.
Due to my food intolerance issues, I was unable to eat most of the food on the menu. It’s okay because I rarely eat out to avoid upsetting my stomach. This minor disappointment did not prevent my wife and me from enjoying deep conversation on questions we were asked to respond to as a couple.
My wife and I were asked to fill out an inventory of approximately 125 questions prior to the retreat. The leaders of the retreat pulled some of the questions we answered in order to facilitate a discussion between us.
I realized as we began to dialogue about our responses how blessed I am to be in a relationship with a beautiful woman. Our marriage is far from perfect but when conflict arises we have the maturity to respond by listening to each other, being nonjudgmental, and being compassionate. Our greatest tension in our marriage is how we support the growth of our daughters.
The reason I am sharing this with you is because it is an example of Recovery in action. Our interpersonal relationships are vital to our growth and development. My ability to engage in difficult conversations with my wife is a result of years of practice with other relationships I have been in, the coaching I receive, and the support groups I attend.
I am able to be vulnerable with my wife. She listens to me without judgment. She has a ton of compassion for me. Her sense of humor keeps life in perspective.
I hope you have a person in your life like I do. Whether it is a spouse, family member, or friend you deserve to enjoy your relationships. People can help you mend heartbreak in your life and celebrate the joyful events in your life.
Peace
Larry
email: ljw@superhumanbeing.net
website: https://superhumanbeing.net/