As we continue our series, Home: A Place To Grow, strengthening the marriage is key to reinforcing the foundation of our family. As you live each day, a simple and easy way to remember how to improve your marriage is to look at Psalm 118.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Psalm 118:24 [NIV]
If we break up this verse, there are five components to help us build a better marriage foundation.
“This is the day”
Live in today, not the past. Don’t bring up the history of rights and wrongs and play the he-said-she-said game. We can’t change the past, but we can be present today and make improvements for tomorrow.
Each day has trouble of its own
If there are problems to address, speak the truth in LOVE and confront them with kindness and compassion. Remember to FORGIVE!
“The Lord has made . . .”
This is a great reminder to realign our day with the Lord! What are your priorities? Who/what rules your life?
“Rejoice in it”
Sometimes we just need to refocus our lens to look for the GOOD instead of the bad. Once we see the good, we need to SPEAK to it! Affirmation and encouragement spurs us all to do more good.
“Be glad!”
Calmness comes to your soul when we can rest in gladness. You do not have to regret yesterday, nor do you worry about tomorrow. We have a God of HOPE who will fill you with JOY and PEACE as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. [Romans 15:13]
So what does this all look like on a practical level?
DAILY:
- Watch your first and last words
- Notice your first and last actions of the day
- Speak to one another with eye contact
- Renew your thoughts
- Take time to maintain intimacy
- Speak to the good things that your spouse does
WEEKLY:
- Schedule a date
- Join a support group or Bible Study
- Be intentional with your calendar so that it reflects your priorities
MONTHLY / QUARTERLY:
- Make your date event related (Valentine’s Day, birthday, anniversary, . . .)
- Schedule family management meetings so that everyone is on the same page
ANNUALLY:
- Plan an anniversary celebration
- Look back at the blessings of the year
- Dream together for the future
Growing a marriage means being intentional in our relationships. 1 Corinthians says it best:
Love never gives up.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 [The Message]
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.