Marriage from A to Z

Is Your Marriage a Priority?

     Have you ever wondered how people can be married for 20-30 years and then separate or get a divorce?  Perhaps it is because their marriage/spouse was not a priority. Their children, their job, their ministry and everything else took the place of their marriage/spouse.

     This past weekend, my husband and I had the pleasure of  joining over 200 couples at our church (First Baptist Church of Glenarden) Couple’s Retreat in Norfolk, Virginia.  We had a wonderful time!  The Couple’s Retreat is a 3 day event where couples gather to celebrate, strengthen and build their marriages.  We celebrated marriages from 1 week old to 50 years.  We celebrated the gift of friendship and what God is doing  in our relationships.  Our marriages were strengthened by the great information that was shared from the speakers and the activities that we did as a couple.  Also, we were strengthened from being around so many happily married couples.  We heard various testimonies and were given tools to continue to build a successful marriage.  It was truly a blessing and if you have never been, I encourage you to join us next year (July 23-25, 2015). Since our marriage is a priority, we look forward to going on the Couple’s Retreat every year.    

     What is a priority?  A priority is defined as a thing that is regarded as more important than another.  It is something or someone that is given “special attention.”  So with that being said, Is your marriage/spouse a priority?  The Couple’s Retreat is a yearly event  however, we must make our marriage/spouse a priority every day!  This week, I want you to ask your spouse, “Do you feel like you are my #1 human priority?” We all know that God should be  first (Matthew 6:33) and outside of taking care of yourself, your spouse is next. If you are single and want to be married, be sure that you are willing to adjust your single schedule.  You have to have time to establish, nurture and build a great relationship.  

     I encourage you to make your marriage a priority every day!  Don’t allow everything and everybody to take the time and attention that is needed to nurture your marriage.  I know you have a lot going on, you have your job, your children, your ministry, your family and your friends. However, if you do not learn how to make your marriage/spouse a priority you may not have a marriage/spouse for long.  Don’t take each other for granted.  

Suggestions for making your marriage/spouse a priority:

1. Pray together daily – Listen and hear what’s on your spouse’s heart. Pray for each other.
2. Touch base throughout the day – Don’t go all day without connecting to your spouse.  Call or send a text just to check in.  Anything can happen in  throughout the day.
3. Schedule regular dates – If necessary get a baby sitter and plan regular time with your spouse.  When you schedule time together, be committed and don’t schedule anything else or cancel.
4. Eat meals together – As often as you can.
5. Go to church together – As often as you can.
6. Play together – Do something for fun with your spouse.  
7. Serve each other – Find ways to serve your mate.  If you don’ t know, ask.
8. Show affection often – Hug, kiss and hold hands.  
9. Schedule time away from everything – Take time to totally focus on each other.  Take a vacation, plan a weekend or a day away from it all. Plan to go on a Couple’s Retreat.
10. Be intimate often – Make time for love making as often as you can! 

Until next week . . .

Carolyn