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February 20, 2012
Sometimes a hug - such a simple, selfless act of love - is the best medicine. Is your spouse feeling discouraged, overwhelmed, stressed out, unloved, or just having a bad day? A tender, tight, unrushed hug can remind your husband or wife that you're there for them - that they aren't alone and that everything will be okay. Sometimes actions speak louder than words.
February 13, 2012
Looking for a new, creative way to invest in your marriage? Check out this great list of "100 Ways to Make Your Marriage Rock" from our friends at WeAreThatFamily! http://wearethatfamily.com/2012/02/100-ways-to-make-your-marriage-rock/
February 6, 2012
Create a Daily Point of Contact - a scheduled moment in your day where you can focus on, connect with, and affirm your spouse! Here are some ideas: Give your spouse an intentional kiss and "I love you" before parting ways for the day, greet your spouse with a hug each evening upon his/her arrival home, call your spouse over your lunch break, pray together after you crawl in bed each night, shower together as part of your morning or night routine, or send a daily "love-note" email.
January 30, 2012
Here's something fun to try for a week...set up a ratio of "together-time" to TV-watching. So for example, "allow" yourselves 1 hour of TV for each hour you spend together doing non-TV activities, like going for a walk, talking, playing a game, having family devotions or dinner together, etc. Or choose another increment...maybe 15 min of together-time will "earn" an hour of TV. Sometimes starting small is an easier adjustment. The ratio can always be tweaked the following week!
January 16, 2012
In honor of MLK Jr's legacy to stand up for what's right, make a commitment to do what's right when it comes to honoring your marriage. This can be a great conversation between you and your spouse! Find out what's important to each other (not being demeaning in public, guarding what you view on the internet, speaking respectfully in disagreements, etc.) and then discuss regularly. It's not about being perfect; it's about building trust and intimacy through honesty, respect, forgiveness, and cheering each other on!
January 9, 2012
Looking for a good New Year's Resolution? Pick one evening a month to set aside for just you and your spouse - maybe the first Friday of each month or the10th of each month - choose a day or date you can look forward to. Then put it on your family calendar...children notice when mommy and daddy like and prioritize spending time together.
December 12, 2011
Communication involves listening and speaking in a loving manner. Practice speaking in a way that encourages your spouse to listen. In the heat of the moment, put the dramatics aside and speak in a controlled manner with kindness and a guarded tongue. The goal is to facilitate understanding not to start a war.
December 5, 2011
Your body language makes all the difference when interacting with your spouse. This week, practice listening with your face – communicating love and respect by giving your full attention with a good attitude.
November 28, 2011
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season tensions can mount and stress can run high. Patience is often replaced with impatience and we can easily be offended by our spouse’s words and actions, even when no offense was intended. This Christmas, give the gift of grace to your spouse; it may just be the best (and most appreciated) gift you give.
November 21, 2011
During this week of Thanksgiving, don’t forget about the one you married. Show some love by letting your husband/wife know “why I’m thankful for you”. Plan a quiet moment to pull your spouse aside and surprise him or her with a list of all your reasons. Get creative or keep it simple. Write a poem, present her with a card or whisper it in his ear.
November 14, 2011
Love in marriage should be given unselfishly and unconditionally. This is easier said than done, but in the end, it's a choice - we choose to love because we've made a covenant with our spouse that says, "I do" despite the circumstance, or a bad attitude, or a rough day. "If you're loving your spouse only to get love in return, that's not love, that's trading." - Gary Thomas. Trading is for baseball cards & recipes...in your marriage, choose to give love based on your promise, not your expectations. This kind of love sets you free!
October 24, 2011
Love your spouse with the sense of sight! Make a decision to guard your eyes from that which would hinder your marriage or dishonor your spouse. But in the privacy of your marriage relationship, delight in seeing each other and in making yourself attractive for your spouse. Be willing to go the extra mile - a spouse will usually notice when you make an effort to shave, add a little makeup, or wear his/her favorite color, even if they don't mention it. When you take time for and pride in yourself, it shows your love for your spouse!
October 17, 2011
Love your spouse with the sense of hearing! Never underestimate the power of allowing your spouse to hear you speak words of affirmation and affection in public and in private. Even if you need to have a difficult conversation, speaking in a loving, non-threatening manner invites your spouse to listen. When your speech is seasoned with love and respect, walls come down, trust is built in your relationship, and intimacy deepens. Scripture says the tongue holds the power of life and death, so set a guard over your tongue and speak LIFE.
October 10, 2011
Love your spouse with the sense of touch! Whether offering a hug, stealing a kiss, squeezing his shoulder, or stroking her hair, let your spouse know that he/she is safe with you and that your touch can be trusted and desired as a means of encouragement, affection, and love...and allow your children to see these interactions - it will reassure them of your love for each other and boost their confidence in your love for them.
October 3, 2011
Love your spouse with the sense of smell! This doesn't have to require high maintenance or expensive perfume; besides, you know what your spouse likes - a certain after-shave, a particular scent of lotion...or what about giving the gift of fresh-baked cookies, a flower, lighting a scented candle or offering an apology for a stinky attitude...the gift of a pleasing aroma in your home and in your heart can relieve stress and communicate love.
September 12, 2011
Love your spouse with all 5 senses - today we're talking about taste! What food does your spouse crave or consider a treat? Go on a surprise date to her favorite restaurant, pick up his favorite game-time snack at the grocery store, or invite your spouse home from a hard day's work with a freshly baked goodie, right out of the oven! Grab a quick mix or try this amazing homemade brownie recipe!
August 29, 2011
Do you catch yourself thinking nice things about your spouse but not verbalizing them? Is your spouse sometimes hard-to-please or just difficult? Don’t let that be your excuse to not honor and uplift them as your marriage partner. Kindness begets kindness.
August 22, 2011
Plan a “work and play” date on a Saturday! Clean out that closet or garage together…then plan a nice dinner out just the two of you or with friends…something fun to look forward to while working!
July 18, 2011
July 11, 2011
June 20, 2011
(from this article: http://wearethatfamily.com/category/i-love-my-hubby) "Sometimes married people argue, but it's HOW you argue that matters. No name-calling, putting-down, or mean-ness allowed." Learning how to communicate - just saying what's concerning you in an unemotional, loving tone that invites a response & not retaliation - is worth the effort!
June 6, 2011
May 23, 2011
May 16, 2011
Try some spontaneity! Give an unexpected kiss, try a new recipe, switch sides of the bed, or go for a game of putt putt golf on a weekday evening! Adding something out-of-the ordinary can help keep your relationship fresh and fun!
May 9, 2011
May 2, 2011