The Rich Gift of Love, Part 4

In the fourth part of this series, we conclude our discussion of the Stages through which we grow in our way of loving. In Part 3, we discussed the importance of recognizing, confronting, and healing dysfunctions in our ways of loving - for example, habits of manipulation, control, demeaning others, loving conditionally, indirect communication, and co-dependency. We rely upon the power of forgiveness, grace, and our own efforts to understand and change those dysfunctions. With this realistic outlook on our life, we become better prepared for life-long commitment. We can see ourselves as well as our potential spouse more clearly. We also become prepared to accept the challenges that love in marriage demands: not only as including the thrilling love and romance of eros but also the courageous and steadfast self-sacrifice of agape.