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“One of the primary reasons why men tarry at “popping the question”—and why millions never do—is fear of having a bad marriage.”

A thought by George Barna (2011-05-15) in his book, Futurecast: What Today's Trends Mean for Tomorrow's World (Kindle Locations 579-580). Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

Fear has a way of robbing us of so many good, exciting, fulfilling things in life such as marriage.  I know there is pain in failure and there is a lot of pain in many families that people have grown up in.  But it has also been said that there is no gain without pain.

I know the pain for those who run a marathon doesn’t keep them from training and then running or that only one person will win and all others will fail.  That seems OK.  But having a bad marriage keeps strong healthy, courageous men running away as fast as they can run.

Oh I know rejection is horrible.  It leaves scars that are very difficult to heal.  But living life with someone who has made a commitment to be there “till death do us part” is one of the greatest things in life to experience.

I was thinking today of that Tuesday night phone call from Kansas to Ohio and of my risking it all and asking Margaret to be my wife.  If I wouldn’t have risked it all there would be no Stefanie for Andrew to marry or no Brett for Marissa  and no Ashlyn Faith and Addison Grace – the best granddaughters a papa could ever have.

Yes there was the potential for failure but there was also the potential of a life filled with love, excitement, companionship and deep fulfillment.  I’m glad that I took the risk and so are my kids and my grand kids.   

How about you?

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