Working
together in our marriage as partners, rather than pulling apart as adversaries,
allows us to forge deeper bonds that bring fulfillment to our relationship. Even
the most devoted couple experiences conflicts now and then.
Ignoring
the issue allows it to remain unresolved, especially if we never discuss it. Give
up your ideas and his, and pray together to find a third alternative that you
both agree with. If all else fails, a Christian marriage counselor is very
helpful in resolving an impasse and preventing barriers between us.
Spending
time together in serving God is also very nourishing to our relationship. A few
nurturing ideas are: choosing a ministry in which we can serve together; learning
in a Bible study class together; going on mission trips together; volunteering
together in the community; hosting a dinner party with Christian friends, etc.
Have
fun together. Go for walks and chat, take a picnic to a local scenic place, go
to a café and drink hot cocoa on a cold night, start a campfire in the back
yard and make s'mores, ride bikes around the neighborhood, help an older couple
do their yardwork, etc.
There
is an endless list of free possibilities to spend some quality time together.
We married our mate, so that we could have and hold each other for the rest of
our life; so remember to spend time snuggling, laughing and chatting each day
too.
When
one is sick, the other can warm a can of soup, play board games together, read
the same book and share impressions about what is read, listen to the Bible
online and discuss the verses, watch the same TV show, etc.
If
we work too much, or fill our schedule with too many separate hobbies and
activities, this will cause our mate to feel neglected, undesirable, stressed,
unappreciated and lonely. It is vitally important to make time for one another,
and not to allow our children's schedules to get too full either.
Prayer:
Father
God, Your Word teaches us that a happy marriage is one made of a couple willing
to sacrifice some of their own desires for one another's happiness and
fulfillment. Remind us that a marriage that involves a committed couple is like
a tree planted by a stream; its roots are not covered with grass and dirt so that
it can breathe (Psalm 1:1-3).
Remind
us to stop to notice and to enjoy the beauties of new life during each new
spring. We want to do more than to co-exist; we want to blossom as a couple and
as parents. Teach us that our marriage will flourish with fruit in the growing
seasons, and it will survive the coldest winters, by sending our roots deeper
into Christ and His Word.
Thought
for the Day:
If
we allow our self to get too embroiled in too many worthwhile activities that
separate us, we stand the chance of smothering the roots of our love; short
times apart are healthy for any relationship, but our "together" time
should be just that…together.
