When I was teaching fourth grade at St. Louis School in Alexandria, I had a student whose young aunt was dating the "ideal" man who came to Church with her and put on all the masks that made him look like he would be the ideal husband. I used to see them together in Church. She dated and married him.
Within weeks of the marriage she was abused. They later separated and the marriage annulled, but what an ordeal for her and her family!
I immediately thought of my student and her aunt when I read this article. Folks, teach your daughters and granddaughters to beware (and your sons too.) See how your boyfriend treats his parents, especially his mother.
Watch for little signs that send up red flags. If he's too good to be true, he probably really is. And start praying now for your future vocation asking God to place the desire in your heart for what He wants you to do whether it's religious life or marriage or to remain single. Pray that if marriage is His plan for you he will lead you to a person who has all the qualities described in first Corinthians 1:13: patience, kindness, slow to anger, doesn't keep a record of wrongs, happy with the good, etc. Marriage is too important to be haphazard about preparing for it.
After you read that one, check out this one on psychopaths. We live in a sick culture that nurtures sick souls. People who aren't grounded in virtue are wallowing in vice. The closer you are to God, the more likely you will recognize people of the lie. So know the signs of the sicko. It will save a lot of heartache in all relationships, not just romantic ones. Pray for everyone whose life you touch.
And, as my mom used to say, "Love many, trust few and always paddle your own canoe."
We befriended a woman who had been duped by an older charming guy. Soon after she married him, he showed his true colors. Only she was as conniving as he was and as part of her deal with them when they got married in Las Vegas was that he would buy them a house to live in and put her name along with his on the deed.
ReplyDeleteAfter they were married, she discovered that he had four previous wives. He has tried to leave her several times but she refuses to take her name off the deed and he always backs down. She has said, he is old, how long can he live and the house will be mine.
We are no longer friends with this woman since we cannot condone either his or her behavior and motives. It is hard to figure out which one is the worst snake.
Chriss, toxic people tend to gravitate towards each other. this toxic duo will spend their time abusing others together.
ReplyDelete