Every single day in a marriage, we influence each other. It is a matter of am I going to have a positive influence or a negative influence?
Gary ChapmanSometimes when the spouse is really the culprit, it is hard to admit what you consider your little failures, but if you are going to have a better relationship, you admitting your part in the dynamics is a step in the road to healing. Because if they see you modeling apology, for example, and they see you modeling love, they may well get the idea that maybe they need to apologize.
Gary ChapmanThis is a huge thing if you are going to have a positive impact on your spouse. You have to not only realize this, but you have to practice this.
Gary ChapmanI wrote this book [ Desperate Marriages] because of my own marriage. My wife and I struggled greatly in the early years of marriage. In spite of the fact that we were Christians before we got married, we prayed about getting married, we believed it was God's will for us to get married, and we still had great struggles.
Gary Chapman