InTheLight wrote:Keith Daniel told an interesting story in one of his sermons that I think applies here. He said that when he asked for permission to marry Jenny (I think that is her name) that her father told him to take a close look at Jenny's mom and see if he likes what he saw becuase in 20 years that is exactly what Jenny would be like. I believe from my experience with my own wife that that statement is at least in part true. That is not to discount what the Lord can do in changing the heart of a person but we are very much the product of our parents.I wish I could remember the name of that sermon, you should listen to it, perhaps someone else here will remember it.In Christ,Ron
STFU- Speak Truth for UNSAVED
_________________Josh Parsley
You need to listen to these sermons by Denny Kenaston:[b](Godly Courtship) 01 Godly Courtship (Part 1)[/b]https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?lid=12499[b](Godly Courtship) 02 Godly Courtship (Part 2)[/b]https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?lid=12500[b](Godly Courtship) 03 Godly Courtship (Part 3)[/b]https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?lid=12501[b](Godly Courtship) 04 Testimonies Of Courtship[/b]https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?lid=12502[b](Godly Courtship) 05 Godly Courtship - Question & Answer [/b]https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?lid=12503[b](Godly Courtship) 06 Marriage, Courtship And Marriage [/b]https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?lid=12504
_________________SI Moderator - Greg Gordon
Thankyou Ron... I really appreciate your response... I am only 22 and with so many things in life, jobs career paths, choices choices choices... it can be a bit overwhelming at times. With prayer and great guidance from folks like yourself, I am blessed.Thankyou
Speak Truth...particularly to her!If you really love her, you will stick around to see if she is tied by the bellybutton to her family, or not. But only a lot of time, like several years, is likely to show these things. And at your age, that will be very hard, particularly in a long distance relationship.Oddly, for those that think that women turn out to be like their mothers, the opposite can be true (it was in my case), but your girlfriend seems to be taking after her mom, whom you can't stand when it comes out in your girlfriend. Or maybe you can't stand the whole family. It doesn't matter.The controlling, emotional manipulation that causes people to walk on eggshells around you, describe my mother to a T. And what that control was about was fear. She was a terrified, insecure person who had to be in control, and manipulate her husband and family, to feel stable.We tip-toed around her emotions. And yes, she was critical, great at talking and criticizing people behind their backs (sounds like your girlfriend's family, talking about people, and laughing all the way home). I hate to say it, but a critical spirit is very hard to get over.At 22, it's hard to sort your emotions out from your pheromones. And love hurts so much, and when in love, we can hurt each other even more than we help them.For your girlfriend, the major test will not be whether she can adapt to you, but can she even stand on her own two feet? Without you, and without family? And then there's that famous band problem...so hard for any people to walk away from unless they have heard a big calling from God to do something else.Oddly, after reading the thread, I wanted to say something encouraging to you, but instead, I seem to be explaining why the others said what they did.In my family, my brother and I switched gender representatives. I became like my dad, on purpose, and considering the circumstances. My brother inadvertantly became like my mon, even though he hated her!And at 55, the poor man is still controlling and manipulating in his own blustery way, walking in fear and insecurity although for different reasons, and I don't see anyone but God changing him, and then only if he will accept God.The question remains. Will you tell her the truth, even if she, being in a suddenly tense situation, freaks out on you? And if she does hear you, can you wait for her to find her own footing? For wives and mothers do have to handle things, and can't leave it all to their husbands when they come home.And that long distance relationship? They tend to drag out the resolution of the relationship, sadly, because you don't see enough of each other to settle any problems before you marry.Frankly, the only way I see it working for you is for your girlfriend to move very close to you, get a real life kind of job, and find out who she is. And even then, she's got all those years of training by her mom to overcome.You know the problems, you've seen all the red flags, but your heart doesn't want to let go.Tell her the truth, and let her make the decision for you. A real life. A real adulthood. A real, not fantasy-come-true job. And a real relationship. And unfortunately, a real hard look at her family, and herself.Otherwise, my dear bro, I don't think your troubled friendship will ever turn into a workable relationship and marriage. And even then, you'll still be stuck with her family.Praying for you,
_________________Forrest Anderson
I dont think I should have to subject myself to something ...
_________________Mike Balog