Our Testimony |
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I, Bill, wasn’t really interested as I thought it was some form of marriage guidance or counselling. I knew that I wasn’t the perfect husband, we had been married for 10 years, had three lovely children and life had changed a lot since we were first married. Sleepless nights, the demands of children and working overtime to make ends meet had gradually had an effect on both of us and life was often very stressful and hard work. There seemed to be very little time or energy left for us ‘as a couple’. We loved each other and were faithful and committed to each other and tried to be the best parents we could for our children but the romantic sparkle seemed to have gradually disappeared from our lives and we took each other for granted. Eventually I did decide to read the magazine article which gave an account of how three couples experienced the M.E. Weekend and what it meant to them. I had to admit to myself that the accounts were quite uplifting and inspiring. The couples seemed to be quite normal whereby they didn’t ‘have it made’ nor did they have any major problems. I agreed to find out more first which, eventually, led us to going on a Weekend a couple of months later. It was an excellent idea to have a weekend away from all the distractions of home and to spend some quality time together, focussing on each other and on our relationship. It was very non-threatening and yet challenging. The topics covered were very enlightening and we were most inspired by the couples and priest presenting the Weekend who were extremely open and honest with each other and with all of us who were listening to them. We were relieved that it was very much a private experience and whatever we discussed was just between the two of us. It was very freeing to talk deeply with each other knowing that we didn’t have to reveal anything we said to anyone else. We were surprised how much we discovered about ourselves as well as learning more about each other. We also gained new insights into the Sacramental aspect of our marriage which was a real eye opener to us! We ended up leaving the Weekend feeling more in love with each other than when we first got married! When we got back home, we discovered that our relationship with our children and other people were affected in the same way. We seemed to have more love inside us and gradually developed a different attitude to life generally. We also were aware that we felt closer to God but couldn’t grasp how and why that happened at the time. We certainly had an amazing experience and are still reaping the rewards but that’s only because we have continued to live out what we learnt on our M.E. Weekend. Having said that, we can easily slip back into our old ways but at least now we know how to get ourselves back on track. It is because we found the whole experience so enlightening and life-changing that we still have a great yearning for other couples to go! Our only regret is that we didn’t go on our Marriage Encounter Weekend years earlier. |
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