“What’s wrong with the world…People livin’ like they ain’t got no mamas.”
This is from the song “Where Is the Love?” by the Black Eyed Peas.

On each trip to the library, I pick up a few books on marriage and relationships. This has always been for me the most interesting topic as life is all about relationships. if we can get the fundamental relationship of husband and wife going strong and the family is well, then all will be well.

In his book Family First, Dr. Phil shares that he has an obligation to protect and care for his family. He and his wife made a pledge to each other and their family, reporting to God in prayer.

The other book I picked was the The Good Marriage: How and Why Love Lasts, by Judith S. Wallerstein and Sandra Blakeslee. They said that one in two marriages ends in divorce, and one in three children can expect to experience their parents’ divorce. The bride and groom themselves may question why they should marry, since it’s likely to break up.

To continue from The Good Marriage, the authors convey that even happily married men and women can get depressed, lose jobs; they cry, yell, get frustrated; they come from sad, abusive neglectful backgrounds as well as from stable families. All marriages are haunted from things of the past.

Marriage counselors like to tell their clients that there are at least six people in every marital bed: the couple and both sets of parents.

My favorite book this month is by Gary Chapman, author of The 5 Love Languages. The title of his book is Love as a Way of Life.

Chapman said that his marriage radically changed after he asked his wife three questions every day:

1. What can I do to help you today?
2. How can I make your life easier?
3. How can I be a better husband to you?

He said when he asked these questions, his wife gave the answers with no reluctance. Her answers taught him how to express love to her in meaningful ways. Within a month, he saw a change in his wife’s attitude towards him. Within three months, she was willing to ask him those three questions in return. Their relationship took a positive turn. “Love always stimulates love.”

Chapman also mentioned that they gave each other complete access to computers, cell phones, and financial records. Being an open book to each other like this means not hiding anything, not cheating. It is better to share everything for protection, and be together in everything. He emphasized that no other man could treat his wife as well as he does. He believes he needed divine help in order to make love as a way of life.

I was very thrilled this month when my editor announced she transcribed sixteen tapes of Dietrich’s classes on Marriage and Family. Without God things become quickly impossible and hopeless! Dietrich was a theologian first and foremost. And second, he has the same dream as God, our Heavenly Parent, to make an eternal relationship with one’s spouse and God together. I have to say as his wife he did an excellent job!