White Lace and Promises….

This is an amazing book for new brides. It is also a great book no matter how old the bride is. The author wants us to consider all the time that is spent planning a wedding. Think about those numerous hours used to pick out the perfect dress, the flowers, and the cake.  Amidst all the flurry of activity surrounding those details, contemplate how little thought or time is spent preparing for what happens after the couple says, “I do.”

If just a fraction of the time spent on wedding planning was devoted to life after the wedding bells ring, newlyweds would have a much happier start in their married life. The author wants us to understand that marriage is under attack. Satan takes dead aim at relationships, has couples in his cross-hairs, and will do everything possible to undermine marriage.

First comes love, then comes marriage, but then what?

The author speaks from experience. She is very open about the failure of her first marriage. Her second marriage came very close to ending as well. When frustrations or altercations occur between couples, Jennifer cautions choosing very carefully whom you tell your confidences to–if at all.

She shares choices she made in that area.  Those decisions almost caused her current marriage to end. Additionally, those she took into her confidence developed negative feelings toward her husband, David, that took years to work through. She makes a very good case for taking your frustrations to God only, and not taking anyone else into your trust.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

As with any other attack, advance preparation before a battle can be a big advantage. If a couple understands before marriage that their relationship will come under siege, they can strategize defenses ahead of time. If nothing else, the element of surprise will be removed. As the Bible says in the sixth chapter of Ephesians, we need to:

“put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes… so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

The author goes over those verses in detail, and how to apply them in the battle to save marriage. She credits following God’s Biblical instructions with saving her current marriage. Not only did Jennifer and David stay together, they have been able to turn things around to have a really amazing relationship.  Jennifer admits that following God’s way of doing things can seem counterintuitive, but it works. The more one reads the Bible, the easier it becomes to understand God’s outlook, and to put it into practice.

I can do this!

This book is easy to read, and offers concrete solutions for relationships. For instance, understanding David and her each have different types of personalities was key to Jennifer understanding her husband.  He did not have something wrong with him as she had believed up until then.  Instead, David was behaving the way God made him, living out the traits of the personality he was born with.

Another suggestion the author made was to make a “Fun Loving You” list.  She got this idea from the book of the same title by Ted Cunningham.  One should make a list of all the things about your husband that make loving him fun.  Really think about those qualities so you have a good sized list.  Then keep it handy.  Get it out and read it over whenever you are frustrated with your spouse!

This book is divided into small sections. That way the entire volume can be read at once, or it can be gone through slowly, reading just a section or two at a time.  Do not be overwhelmed at the thought of making changes in your relationship.  Even big changes can be manageable when broken down into small pieces that are done a little bit at a time.

Is it too late for me, I’ve been married a long time?

I recommend this book to those who are newly engaged, along with those who have been married for years. No matter where you are in your relationship, it is never too late to apply these principles, and see changes in your marriage.  Men should read this, too, because there is good information they can glean from this as well.   I really appreciate that this was written from a Christian viewpoint, and credits following Biblical precepts led to an outstanding relationship. Anyone who wants to help save, or improve their marriage, will benefit from this easily read 5-star book.

Cross Focused Reviews has provided me with a complimentary copy of Prayers For New Brides for the purpose of review.   I have not been compensated in any other manner.  All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The author’s website:  http://www.jenniferowhite.com/

The author’s twitter:  https://twitter.com/jenniferowhite