My wife and I were married in 1972. I had just been discharged from the US Navy. We had a $200 car and $100 in the bank. I had an entry-level job, and she was unemployed. We lived with my parents for the first three months of our marriage. Ultimately, we worked together and made it work. We both had successful careers and raised two beautiful daughters, and they've given us four amazing grandkids. If there were ever two people who were not ready for marriage, it was us! We'll be celebrating our 54th Anniversary in 13 days!
As a woman, I will add that being able to discern such a man is critical. A man's "not being ready" may be perfectly valid for his life and self-development, but also runs the real risk of wasting your time as his girlfriend. Waiting on him will not make him any more prepared.
I agree so much! Discernments going on much longer than they should usually do not end well. People should not enter into these phases with another person unless they are already ready for marriage.
Those are just excuses for avoidance. If they've been with their girlfriends for a few months, they should already know. If it's not a heck yes, then it's a no. They need to move on, not talk themselves into marriage.
Those excuses magically disappear when they meet the right person, but they won't meet her if they drag out a relationship that isn't right.
If you don’t know of anyone you’d consider marrying, especially if you feel all local options have been exhausted, I think that feels like “not ready”.
There are people who love the concept of marriage in itself and expect to find the right person, but others find it terrifying UNTIL they find the right person.
Great article both for men and women. One has to find the purpose of life. We have to discern our vocation. People who don't live for pleasure and self contentment.
My wife and I were married in 1972. I had just been discharged from the US Navy. We had a $200 car and $100 in the bank. I had an entry-level job, and she was unemployed. We lived with my parents for the first three months of our marriage. Ultimately, we worked together and made it work. We both had successful careers and raised two beautiful daughters, and they've given us four amazing grandkids. If there were ever two people who were not ready for marriage, it was us! We'll be celebrating our 54th Anniversary in 13 days!
Absolutely beautiful, thank you for sharing sir!!
May we all have the courage to have a life like you Rod!
Wow!
Thank you!!!!🙏🏾 GREAT article to reflect on as a Catholic man 💪🏾✝️👍🏾
Absolutely love this. Thank you
As a woman, I will add that being able to discern such a man is critical. A man's "not being ready" may be perfectly valid for his life and self-development, but also runs the real risk of wasting your time as his girlfriend. Waiting on him will not make him any more prepared.
I agree so much! Discernments going on much longer than they should usually do not end well. People should not enter into these phases with another person unless they are already ready for marriage.
The poster of that tweet is on Substack too! @elisabethstonee
Thanks for the post, it came on a good time 🙏🏻
This put to words the perspective I’ve been spent so much of my time trying to explain the people around me!
Those are just excuses for avoidance. If they've been with their girlfriends for a few months, they should already know. If it's not a heck yes, then it's a no. They need to move on, not talk themselves into marriage.
Those excuses magically disappear when they meet the right person, but they won't meet her if they drag out a relationship that isn't right.
If you don’t know of anyone you’d consider marrying, especially if you feel all local options have been exhausted, I think that feels like “not ready”.
Yeah I mean that's fairly obvious
There are people who love the concept of marriage in itself and expect to find the right person, but others find it terrifying UNTIL they find the right person.
Great article both for men and women. One has to find the purpose of life. We have to discern our vocation. People who don't live for pleasure and self contentment.