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24
Ways to Strengthen Your Marriage
Crosswalk.com Staff
Marriage may not be as easy as you thought
but, those who put effort into their
marriage will be rewarded with longevity,
satisfaction, and growth with the one you
love.
Being the best partner possible is
not always easy. At times it's not fair. At
times it hurts; it can be lonely. It
involves choosing to love your partner
whether he or she deserves it or not. It
involves continuing the initial vows you
made when you began your marriage.
Here are little ways you can
strengthen your marriage:
- Start each day with a kiss.
Decide to begin the day with love.
- Wear your wedding ring at all
times. Let it be a visual reminder
of your commitment.
- Go on a date with your spouse once
a week. Even if it's just for
coffee, dedicate time for the two of
you.
- Accept differences. Try to
remember that once you thought your
spouse's idiosyncrasies were cute. Your
chances of changing them are slim, so
decide to live with them.
- Be polite. Are you more polite
to co-workers or store clerks than you
are to the one you love? Practice good
manners at home.
- Be gentle. Harsh words and
actions have no place in your home.
Choose to be kind to those you love and
who love you.
- Give gifts. While diamonds are
a girl's best friend, a card, a single
rose, a favorite candy bar can also do
the trick.
- Smile often. Put on a happy
face and let it determine your
disposition. Remember how meaningful the
glances were which you once gave each
other.
- Touch. A pat on the back or a
soft caress of the cheek can show love
and connection.
- Talk about dreams. Get your
conversation beyond coordinating
schedules and talking about the kids.
Take time to talk about ideas and
dreams.
- Give back rubs. Another day
you'll be on the receiving end.
- Laugh together. Find something
daily to share a laugh about. Life is
complete with laughter.
- Do what your spouse wants before
being asked. Anticipate your
spouse's needs and jump right in to
help. Put his or her needs before your
own comfort.
- Listen. You don't have to solve
problems, just be an active listener.
Turn off the TV, put down the newspaper,
and give your spouse your full
attention.
- Encourage. The best way to give
support is to encourage your spouse to
do his or her best, to feel confident,
or accomplish great things.
- Call your spouse. Check in with
each other throughout the day - just to
say Hi or I love you.
- Hold hands. Take a walk or
watch TV while holding hands.
- Look your best. Comfort doesn't
have to be socks and a T-shirt for bed
every night.
- Apologize. Almost as good as I
love you is I'm sorry, forgive me.
Marriage isn't a game where you keep
score. It's not important who's right.
- Ask, What can I do to make you
happier? You may be surprised at
how simple it is to please your spouse.
- Reminisce about your favorite times
together. Talk about special times
you shared, and create new times
together.
- Pray for your spouse daily.
Don't let a day go by without praying
for your marriage, your spouse, and your
family.
- Watch sunsets together. Find
the beauty in life and share it.
- End each day with a hug. Decide
to end the day with love.
-----------------------------------------
Taken from "Understanding
the One You Love".
© 1998 by Erroll E. Stephens, Jr.
Published by Harvest House Publishers,
Eugene Oregon. Used
by permission from Crosswalk.com (www.crosswalk.com)
-- the Internet's leading Christian
resource.
-----------------------------------------
For more Marriage Resources:
Also check out the highly-acclaimed:
His
Needs, Her Needs by Willard Harley,
Jr.
Marriage works only when
each spouse takes the time to consider the
other's needs and strives to meet them. In
His Needs, Her Needs, Willard Harley
identifies the ten most vital needs of men
and women and shows husbands and wives how
to satisfy those needs in their spouses.
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