In our newest release, The First Five Years of Marriage, we encourage all couples, especially newlyweds, to build a “successnet” of relationships. Although it's tempting to see marriage as a promise just between a husband and wife, it is actually a covenant that includes God and represents a public promise to the Church and community. Building the right kinds of relationships will serve as a support for your new marriage. The Bible says, “In a multitude of counselors there is safety” (Prov. 24:6 nkjv). Who are some of the key players in the success of your marriage, and why do you need them in your life?
Family and Friends play a key role in helping a young couple in establishing their dream. Your marriage will grow stronger as you learn to forge new and healthy relationships as a couple with your friends and family, and in a crisis, they will be the first ones to show up. Make time for these important loved ones in your new life together.
You will need Spiritual Advisors, like your pastor, friends who are in full-time ministry, marriage and family counselors, small-group leaders, and marriage mentors. You will sometimes face decision points, tough transitions and difficult circumstances, and you will want some people to help you discern God’s view on the matter at hand. Attend church and get to know the pastor, join a small- group Bible study, and participate in men’s and women’s ministries. Involve yourself in parachurch groups that interest you both.
On the practical side of life, you need: Health Care Professionals who care for your physical bodies. If you are young and healthy, you may underestimate their influence, but they will become more valuable to you with every passing year.
Insurance Agents are those who stand between you and financial ruin. People never think they need these guys until their houses are flooded or burned to the ground, a tornado hits, or a family member has a health crisis or car accident, or, God forbid, a spouse dies. The fires in California right now are a perfect example of life hitting families hard. It is precisely because life is unpredictable and calamities do come that we need to be wise and forward-thinking.
Financial Advisors help you crate a plan for a bright financial future --- and we’d all like to save as much on those taxes as possible! Poorly managed finances can be a serious source of strain on any marriage, while well-managed finances can open doors for a prosperous life together. Find a financial adviser you can trust.
Lawyers or friends who know the law — police officers and paralegals — are the kind of people you want to be able to call, even in the middle of the night if you have to, so you can make critical decisions if something horrendous happens. Having solid relationships in this area can help stabilize a crisis situation and make it more manageable.
Transportation Dealers are helpful because unless you live in a big city and take public transportation, you need someone you can trust to sell you a reliable car at an affordable price. Home Help. Once you own a home, you need people in the field of building and maintaining homes. You will need to know people skilled in contracting, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, gardening, painting, electricity, and general home repairs.
Realtors/ Mortgage Brokers help you know when you are financially prepared for home-ownership and can you then get you the best home for the most affordable price.
Lastly, brainstorm ways you and your spouse can give back to others through your relationships. We truly depend on one another.
Relationship specialist is the role Pam and Bill would like to play for you. Sign up for their relationship ezine at http://www.farrelcommunications.com/, or check out their books for a Christmas gift for someone in your successnet, or to help you succeed in your own relationship.
Bill and Pam Farrel are relationship specialists, international speakers and authors of over 25 books including best selling Men are like Waffles, Women are like Spaghetti, and Red Hot Monogamy. They have recently released a new marriage DVD series for Lifeway, and will be guest speakers for Festivals of Marriage this fall. To order Red Hot Monogamy, discover more about their DVD for couples or learn about their speaking schedule, go to: http://www.farrelcommunications.com/.
