30 Jan Marriage Care
“Consider these two scenarios:
A man’s older car begins having serious trouble, so he takes it to a mechanic. After an assessment is made, he is told it will need a complete overhaul, which would tax his limited budget. Because of the expensive repairs, he determines to get rid of the car and spend his funds on a new vehicle. Seems reasonable, right?
Another man, an engineer, accidentally crushes his hand in a piece of equipment. He rushes to the hospital and has it x-rayed, finding that numerous bones are broken. Although frustrated and in pain, he willingly uses his savings to have it doctored and placed in a cast, then gingerly nurse it back to health over the following months. This, too, probably seems reasonable to you.
The problem within our culture is that marriage is more often treated like the first scenario. A discardable possession. When our relationship experiences difficulty, you are urged to dump your spouse for a “newer model”. But those who have this view do not understand the significant bond between a husband and wife. The truth is, marriage is more like the second scenario. you are a part of one another. You would never cut off your hand if it was injured but would pay whatever you could afford for the best medical treatment possible. That’s becuase your hand is priceless to you. It is part of who you are. And so is your mate. Marriage is a beautiful mystery created by God, joining two lives together as one. This not only happens physically, but spiritually and emotionally. You start off sharing the same house, the same bed, the same last name. Your identity as individuals has been joined into one. When you find success at your job, both of you rejoice. When one of you goes through a tragedy, both of you feel it. But somewhere along the way, you experience disappointment and pain. ….
Life is cold and unpredictable. Everyday stress can wear us down. Relationships can sometimes be hard and go through seasons of winter instead of those warm days of spring. It is our responsiblity, above every other person on the face of the earth, to step in and tenderly touch, caress, and warm the life and heart of our spouse.” taken from The Love Dare
Be the one in your marriage to steer it in amazing directions. Look through these resources to discover the one that appeals to you. Dig in and enjoy! Imagine the cumulative effect if you were to systematically go through them all over the years to come. Just begin with one and watch your marriage take off! Your happiness is in your hands.
MARRIAGE PODCASTS – great listens while driving, housecleaning, doing the dishes)
The Small Things Often Podcast by the Gottman Institute (3 minute podcasts)
Married with Benefits Podcast by Shaunti Feldhahn ( 30 minute podcasts)
The Love and Respect Podcast by Emmerson Eggerichs (varies from 30 to 60 minute podcasts)
Building Relationships Podcast by Gary Chapman (60 minute podcasts)
FREE MARRIAGE APPS – super for a moment here and there in your busy day
In Love While Parenting by the Human Improvement Project (research based with neuroscience)
The Gottman Card Deck by the Gottman Institute (research-based by relationship expert John Gottman)
Love Nudge by Gary Chapman, author of Five Love Languages
The Love Dare App by Alex and Stephen Kendrick, a 40 day Christian devotional for married couples
BY EMAIL – quick reads to convey great tips
30 Days Kindness Challenge by Shaunti Feldhahn (5 minutes/day for 30 days)
The Marriage Minute by the Gottman Institute. (A short email every Tuesday and Thursday)
BOOKS (or their audio version) for those enjoying this style of information.
For Women Only and others by Shaunti Feldhahn, For Men Only by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn
Five Love Languages, The Four Seasons of Marriage and others by Gary Chapman
7 Principles for Making Marriage Work and others by John Gottman
The Temperament God Gave You by Art and Larraine Bennett
Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs
Divorce Busting by Michele Weiner-Davis
The Proper Care and Feeding of Marriage and others by Laura Schlessinger
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.