When I was a teenager, I remember sitting in world history class dreaming of football when the teacher started talking about a weather condition known as “the doldrums.” The doldrums occur when the prevailing winds stop blowing and a extended calm settles upon the open sea—which is a serious problem if you’re a sailor relying upon wind power to get you to where you’re going.
Thousands of years ago, European sailors on a quest to reach new lands would sometimes encounter the doldrums during a voyage across the equatorial region of the Atlantic ocean. Trapped in this peculiar weather pattern for week—even months—on end, it wasn’t uncommon to run out of rations and fresh water. In turn, even the most 
seasoned sailor might experience cabin fever or death.
Now that I’m older and married, I think every couple experiences times when they inadvertently sail into the relational doldrums—a season when things have stagnated within the marriage.
Signs of the doldrums might be that you’ve stopped having regular dates, you find you rarely have something new or interesting to talk about so your conversation becomes perfunctory, or you maintain different schedules and are nothing more than ships passing in the night.
Just as remaining in the doldrums is deadly for a sailor, so, too, is allowing your marriage to drift along without encountering a fresh burst of wind in your sails.
If you suspect you might be in such a slump, or if you just desire to turbo charge a good thing, let me encourage you to plan to participate in the second annual Focus on Marriage(TM) simulcast conference February 27, 2010. Conveniently located in hundreds of North American cities, come be inspired by Gary Thomas, Kirk Cameron, Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott, Francis Chan and Dr. Gary Chapman in this celebration of God’s design for commitment.
Last time around, more than 75,000 people participated in this life-changing event. Here’s a sample of what those attendees had to say:
- “This simulcast was fantastic! It made me look at my husband of 42 years differently. My goal is to pray together, uplift him and to live the rest of our lives serving the Lord. I will make the two-degree changes and watch how God will bless our marriage.”
- “I’ve learned that a marriage has three people in it, not just two. Both of us are held accountable to a higher power—God. We are both His children, and should love and respect each other as such, knowing that we have the Almighty One as our father-in-law!”
Come to think of it, why not give your spouse the “gift” of committing to attend the simulcast as a couple? Early-bird pricing is available through January 13, 2010. To find a host church in your local area, click here. This New Year, say “no” to the doldrums and “yes” to a marriage that thrives!
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