July 4-6, 2008

Which Season of Marriage Are You In?

This week we have been looking at The Four Seasons of Marriage. We’ve discussed winter, spring, and summer. Today we come to Fall.

Where I live in North Carolina, in the fall, the leaves begin to change colors, and eventually fall off the trees. That is what happens in a fall marriage. It looks good on the outside, but it is actually falling apart. There is a growing concern, uncertainty, and a tendency to blame the spouse.

In a fall marriage we begin to feel sadness, apprehension, discouragement, fear, and eventually resentment. We have neglected our relationship and have drifted apart.

In the fall season, couples sense that something is happening, but they’re not sure what. One or both spouses begin to feel neglected. It seems that they are disengaging emotionally and each tends to blame the other. If this couple does not take action, they will soon be in the coldness of winter. The fall season of marriage is a wake-up call to seek help: see a counselor or pastor, read a book, or attend a class. You can move from fall to spring, but you must take action.

Today's A Growing Marriage Daily content has been written by Dr. Gary Chapman and is based on the book The Four Seasons of Marriage by Dr. Gary Chapman. Published by Tyndale Publishers, copyright 2005. Used by permission.