Marriage: Blessing or Burden?

About the Book

The research and evidence are indisputable that marriage is a beneficial institution. I was motivated to write this book because of the high occurrence of struggling marriages, which some sources state have about a 50 percent failure rate. Some people argue that the rate is closer to 40 percent. Whatever it may be, it is still too high in my view. Couples I know very well and some you may know struggle with marital woes every day. Others have gone through the pain of separation, divorce, and child custody complications. Now more than ever, marriage is worth our investment. I often ask myself, “If God ordained and designed marriage and gave us all the necessary tools for building successful marriages, why then do so many marriages fail? Is marriage truly a blessing?” I trust that some of the views and information shared in this book will help enhance my readers’ marriages in some ways. I will use a little humor from time to time (since I cannot help myself). I love to laugh and make others laugh! I often tell people I was not born with only one funny bone; I have multiple. Discussing every single concern in marriage is beyond the scope of this book. Therefore, I chose topics I hope that every marriage can learn from if not relate to in some form or fashion. The following are some of the questions answered in this book: >What constitutes a marriage? >Does marriage really matter today? >Is marriage still worth the time and energy? >Can today’s marriage survive, or should we resign ourselves to the idea that today’s marriages just do not last? >Why should I even get married when we can just live together? >What happens when conflict arises in marriage? >Can we be effective parents? >Out of the six billion people on earth, how can I stay with this one person for the rest of my life? >What happens if we fall out of love with each other?

About the Author

Marlene Louis Blyden resides with her family in Atlanta, Georgia. She has a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and a master of arts in counseling, specializing in marriage and family therapy. She is determined to complete her doctorate in the field of psychology and counseling. Marlene is the author of My Daughters and Me: Laughing All the Way, and Perception vs. Reality in Culture. Marlene will continue to write books that inform, inspire, and uplift others along life’s unpredictable journey. One of her heart’s desires is to come alongside other couples in various stages of marriage and be an encouragement and support to them. Marlene uses humor in her own life and to help others cope and overcome various life challenges. Her life’s goal is to reflect the light of Jesus Christ so that others may come to know him as their Lord and personal Savior.