Extra-Strong Glue: The Power of Merging Cultures

Do you remember when you were newlyweds and realized the other person had habits from another planet? You squeeze the toothpaste from the bottom; they squeeze it from the middle like there is no tomorrow. In your house, Christmas was opened at midnight; in theirs, the next morning. These small details reveal a great truth: when we get married, two people don't just unite; two entire cultures collide.

Pastor Timothy Keller constantly reminds us that marriage is like joining two rushing rivers. At first, there is turbulence, foam, and a lot of noise when the waters crash, but eventually, they must form a single, much deeper and stronger channel. Unfortunately, many couples get stuck in the turbulence, constantly fighting to defend 'how things were done in my house'.

The problem with living on the defensive is that we end up playing tug-of-war. 'My traditions are better than yours', 'my way of managing money makes more sense', 'I was raised this way and turned out fine'. All of this is a sign that we have not yet fully let go of our past to embrace our present. We still have one foot out the door.