Recently my wife and I had the privilege of spending a weekend with some young married couples on a retreat. Amidst our time together, we desired to ask them a question. That question went something like this: If you were given the chance to share with a younger couple just entering into marriage, what advice would you pass on to them? What follows is some of the excellent input we were given.
- Pick your battles by asking yourself if it’s worth the possibility of an argument?
- Pray about the area that is bothering you before jumping into it with your spouse.
- Lay down your single routines in order to pick up your couple routines.
- Communicate your expectations in multiple ways.
- Give one another extra measures of grace, knowing you both need it.
- Learn one another’s communication style by learning one another’s love languages.
- Over communicate.
- Engage in some form of mentorship.
- Keep dealing with the areas of needed change in your life and take ownership for your issues.
- Forgive quickly.
- Get into the habit of praying together.
- And always, each and every day, put God first.
Pretty sound advice from those with a few years of marriage under their belt.
Marriage, being God’s design from the beginning, is an amazingly creative design. Every time I am on an airplane sitting shoulder to shoulder with a stranger, I wish it were my wife. It’s just so odd to be that physically close to someone you do not know and have never met. Marriage is as close and intimate as an earthly relationship can become. And the fact of the matter is, over time, it becomes even closer.
Whenever we have a first-time visitor to our home, given the chance, we tell them a story. I’ll tell you that story too.
With the commitment of a very dear friend, he and I built that house from foundation up, nailing every stud, pulling every wire, plumbing and painting. Now almost 32 years ago, we still tell the story. We can’t stop telling the story because it’s the house that God built.
Did you know those who are blessed to experience long-term marriage tend to accumulate twice as much wealth than those who are single or divorced? Yep, it’s true.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.
On a recent prayer time away from my office, I carried John Wesley’s 21 accountability questions with me. I have gone through these numerous times and really enjoy doing so. I thought that if you were not familiar with them, you just might like to consider a look as well. On that note, here they are:
In 2018 I was able to enjoy several children’s dedication services. One was my grandson. That was special.
Benjamin’s faith followed him in all he set out to accomplish. Perhaps it was his father’s dedicating him to the service of the Lord that helped to hold him to that relationship. With the many trials and tribulations, losses and shattered dreams he encountered, late in the book he wrote, “I at present think that whoever attempts this aright, and is well qualified, can not fail of pleasing God, and of meeting with success.”
I was speaking with a friend recently about a specific governmental department that I obviously did not have a good word for. Later in a text message, I apologized for my negative expressions. And here’s the reason for my apology: Holy Spirit.
Three wise men traveled quite a distance to see the Christ child. There is a bit of debate about the distance they traveled, as well as the time it took to travel those miles. Some Bible scholars say He was a toddler and some say He was still an infant when they arrived in Bethlehem.
Before we said, “I do” we diligently worked at not having or experiencing differences with one another, at least not out loud. We wanted to be argument free and not allow anything to inhibit our communication. But not long after saying “I do,” for many of us that changed. We trusted our marriage vows to hold us together while experiencing differences, even when they became heated. What changed?
