Todd and Karen Ehman were convinced they were perfectly matched for one another … until they went to premarital counseling.
They underwent a battery of tests and expected their counselor to tell them, “Your relationship was made in heaven. You’re going places. You’re going to do great things for God.” Instead, he held Todd’s profile in one hand and Karen’s profile in the other. He said, “I have to be honest with you. I know you love each other, and you love the Lord. But couples with your personality combination have about a 5% chance of staying married.”
That was the beginning of their journey to learn what creates a happy marriage. What they discovered was that it’s not two half people looking for their other half to complete them. It’s in understanding that your differences can make your marriage stronger if you know how to harness them.
Differences produce great results when they’re brought into balance – especially in marriage. On their own, differences will create division between you and your spouse. But bring them together, and your differences can make your relationship stronger.
We want to encourage couples to work through their differences, understand them, and to better understand one another on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Flourishing in Your Marriage.” Listen on your local radio station, online, on Apple Podcasts, via Google Podcasts, or take us with you on our free phone app.
Todd and Karen Ehman are sharing their story with us, detailed in their book Keep Showing Up: How to Stay Crazy in Love When Your Love Drives You Crazy.
They explain why marriage isn’t designed to make you happy and complete. Good marriages are about two whole people coming together to glorify God. Successful couples work to be allies, not enemies.
I’d like to extend an invitation for you to become a special partner with us through our monthly “Friends of Focus on the Family” program. When you do, I’ll send you a copy of Todd and Karen’s book as a way of saying thank you for touching others with the love of Christ. To make your pledge, or for more information, visit our website or call 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).
Karen Ehman is a speaker for Proverbs 31 Ministries and a New York Times bestselling author.
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