A single adult woman shared this observation:

“Men need to begin their emotional growth before marriage. Doing this work greatly increases the likelihood of a healthy relationship.”

She added, “Please encourage future husbands to work on these areas.”

Deepen yourself.

It’s important to move past acting like you’re still 16.

Learn to manage disappointment.

Life is full of letdowns and moments when you don’t get your way.

Please limit acts of rebellion and defiance.

Let’s work through struggles together, not against each other.

Work on inner healing.

Avoidance is not a treatment plan.

Please don’t play ignorant about yourself or your life.

Repeating “I don’t know” gets old—really fast.

Please don’t lie, hide, or pretend nothing is wrong when something is wrong.

I want to be your partner in working through struggles.

Learn how to protect yourself, me, and this relationship.

Emotionally dangerous people will come into our lives.

Learn how to connect with your wife.

Connection is God’s plan for a good and meaningful life.

Be grateful.

There is so much good in life. Find things worth celebrating.

Make me feel special.

And I will do the same for you.

Close:

Keep growing. Never stop. 

Allow God to transform you.

Prayer:

Father, please help me with growth and change. It’s hard, but I know you are in the transformation business. Help me. Bless me. 

Change me to be more like Jesus. Amen

Scripture:

When I was a child, I spoke like a child… When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

1 Corinthians 13:11 (ESV)