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“Love is a many-splendored thing” is the title of a popular song from the fifties. Many people would argue the sanity of that song and concur instead with Shakespeare who said, “Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage”!

Nobody would disagree with you if you said that our world is in the middle of a marriage crisis. In Australia, one in every three marriages ends in divorce. In America, it is one in every two. In most Western countries, the figure is similar.

To turn the tide of fatherlessness, we must also turn the tide of divorce. The best thing a father can do for his children is to love his wife. That is why I am so passionate for you to have a great marriage, and that is why we support Marriage Week, 13-19 September 2020.

So what is Marriage Week?

Marriage Week is an annual celebration, initiated in Australia in 2007, to reinforce and promote the benefits/importance of marriage and increase awareness and value of pre-marriage and in-marriage education.

Our marriages are not private matters. Our children gain emotional security and a myriad of benefits from our marriage, our love and union. Our marriages matter to our extended family. They matter to our employers. They matter to society. They are the fabric that holds families together.

So, do something for your marriage in Marriage Week, come to think of it why wait — do it now! Sign up with our Marriage Investment Bank. Write a letter of thanks or praise to show your love for your spouse. Buy them a special gift, it does not have to be large or expensive.

During Marriage Week, there will be special events happening across Australia.

Marriage Week gives a husband and wife, together with those who are preparing to marry, the opportunity and encouragement to focus on their relationship.

Affirming that: The value of marriage, which as a binding public commitment, becomes the foundation of healthy families, healthy children, and a healthy community. Marriage is ‘the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life’

The quality of our nation’s marital relationships will be a determining factor in the destiny of Australia. The strength of Australian families depends on the qualities of the relationships between our nation’s mothers and fathers. Therefore, marriage should be encouraged, strengthened, valued and supported by society and individuals in every possible way as a social good.

I can hear you now: “Warwick that’s easy to say, but how do I have a good marriage?” I thought you would never ask, so let me give you two tips:

1. You must work on your marriage just like you would work on maintaining your car. You would never think of not changing the oil, or not having the mechanic tune up your car’s engine.

Well, it is exactly the same with marriage. You, as a man, have to make that decision and put a priority on investing in and maintaining your marriage. “Life is a decision,” a great man once said. Trust me, if you don’t make the decision to work on your marriage, you will not get anywhere.

2. Congratulations, you have made that decision. Now you have to make a plan and enact it. You have to seek out ways to improve your marriage.

One more thing. You must do this over and over again. Every year and through the year as well. This is one of the main reasons my wife and I are married after 45 years. Let me give you a few options.

a. Read a good book on building your marriage. A couple of suggestions are: Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, Love & Respect by Dr Emerson Eggerichs, Love & War by John Eldredge, The Mystery of Marriage by Mike Mason, Husbands & Fathers by Derek Prince, Love Life for Every Married Couple by Ed Wheat or The Love Dare by Alex & Stephen Kendrick. Hey, if you are not happy with my suggestions, Google “great marriage books” and build your own list.

But Warwick, I don’t have time to read a book to improve my marriage. Well, that’s not a good enough excuse, because you will always have time for a divorce, even if you don’t want to have the time for it.

b. Do a marriage course with your wife. Some options include: The Alpha Marriage Course by Nicki & Sila Lee, Making Marriage Better by Dr Allan & Helen Meyer, The Stick Kit by Dr Byron & Francine Pirola, Love that Lasts by FamilyLife Australia. Again, if you are not happy with these courses, find something that you are happy with and do it.

c. Tell your wife about the Dating Divas. You work on the first two but get your wife to do the third and follow the Dating Divas. They have a massive presence on Instagram (75,900 followers) and Facebook (160,000). They really are a one-stop marriage shop with online marriage courses, blogs and date night ideas, not to mention the Seven Day Sex Challenge. My wife has been a subscriber for about 5 years, and it has benefitted our marriage in a hundred different ways.

Lovework
Remember the amazing wisdom of Andre Maurois:

“A successful marriage is an edifice that must be rebuilt every day.”

Take your wife out on a date night this week. She deserves it, you do too, and your marriage deserves it even more.

Happy Marriage Week,
Warwick Marsh