The Four Seasons of Marriage

by Gary Chapman

Hardcover, 2005

Status

Available

Call number

BV835 .C4575

Collections

Publication

Tyndale House Publishers (2005), Edition: Unabridged, 240 pages

Description

Spring, summer, winter, fall. Marriages are perpetually in a state of transition, continually moving from one season to another-perhaps not annually, as in nature, but just as certainly and consistently. Sometimes we find ourselves in winter-discouraged, detached, and dissatisfied; other times, we experience springtime with its openness, hope, and anticipation. On other occasions, we bask in the warmth of summer-comfortable, relaxed, enjoying life. And then comes fall with its uncertainty, negligence, and apprehension. The cycle repeats itself many times throughout the life of a marriage, just as the seasons repeat themselves in nature.The seasons of marriage come and go. Each one holds the potential for emotional health and happiness, and each one has its challenges. The purpose of this book is to describe these recurring seasons of marriage, help you and your spouse identify which season your marriage is in, and show you how to enhance your marriage in all four seasons.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
Although there is a fair amount of repetition, the basic suggestions or "strategies" for improving marriage are straightforward and based on the ideas of being responsible for our own issues and not trying to change our partner, but rather love them more effectively. I got some good ideas for
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improving my family relationships.
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LibraryThing member SueinCyprus
A slightly different take on a book about marriage, this one looks analogies with the four seasons of the year. Every marriage, the author contents, goes through different seasons: the joy of springtime, at the start, and at other new phases; the contentment of summer; the concerns and changes of
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autumn, and the dryness and darkness of winter. The book looks at reasons why the more difficult times come, with strategies for moving out of winter to spring or summer, and - where possible - going back from Autumn to a happier season, avoiding the neglect that can lead to winter.

There are many anecdotes, with names changed, describing typical couples in each of the four 'seasons' of marriage, and then several strategies for moving into spring or summer. None of these strategies were new to me - focusing, as they did, on love languages, empathic listening, and more - but they were all useful reminders.

There's a strong Christian emphasis, which underlies the author's beliefs and reasons for his strategies, but the principles of helping marriages change for the better could apply to anyone. There's a brief questionnaire for couples to determine what 'season' they are currently in, and thought-provoking discussion questions at the back.

Definitely recommended.
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Language

Original language

English

Physical description

240 p.; 9.25 inches

ISBN

1414300204 / 9781414300207

UPC

031809100202

LCC

BV835 .C4575

Rating

½ (21 ratings; 3.7)
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