Watch and Be Ready

Watch: To be attentive or vigilant; to keep guard; to keep someone or something under close observation.

Brent Barlow (a family therapist) wrote a book called “Twelve Traps in Today’s Marriage and How to Avoid them”. He discusses the essential quality of alertness in our marriages.

A marriage myth: “Divorce? It can’t/won’t happen to me”

The truth: Any marriage can end in divorce – yours and mine included.
Some apparently “married” people are actually “divorced”…
Many of us are not taking enough action to reinforce our marriages.
- Those most aware of the danger are often the ones least harmed!
(They stand guard… and do what needs doing in time)

Plan of action: LDS - Let’s Do Something!

Let’s do something about our marital relationships
while we still have the opportunity and the time to do it.

“If you fear, then fear not. If you fear not, then fear.” Do both! In balance!

Am I fearful/complacent about my marriage?

How is my own personal life?

Am I watching and correcting myself?

What’s really happening in my own marriage? In my own family?

Personal application: What do I need to do for my marriage? Watch? Think? Pray?

What can I personally do better/differently to improve my marriage?

What is the wisest part of me whispering to me to do/change?

Am I resisting or yielding to this quiet knowing? How? Why?

“Watch yourselves and your thoughts and your words and your deeds.”

“Who am I to judge another when I walk imperfectly?”