Reflections on Marriage: T is for Time

 Time

Time
is a friend
if used wisely
and an enemy
if left to
chance, so prayerfully
plan priorities together
so you can
both feel successful
and still creatively
nurture your marriage.

Excerpt from ABC’s for a Happy Marriage:
A Collection of Original Poetry and Biblical Scriptures

My husband and I have worked hard to spend quality time together throughout our married lives despite his time-consuming business career and raising our large, wonderful family of eleven children. We are proof it can be done! But it isn’t easy. We learned to enjoy little snapshots of fun here and there when there wasn’t time for anything else. We also tried to plan a weekly date—even if it was just for an hour or two alone. The motto, “It’s better to do something than nothing” was well understood by both of us! .We learned long ago to slow down a bit, cherish the simple things of life, and continually thank God for each other.

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Slow Down

Please click here to listen to this extraordinary song, which is sung by Sissel, entitled “Slow Down.” It captures the magnificence of the scripture: Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

After listening to “Slow Down,” you can click here to watch this next video as Sissel expresses her feelings about this song.

 8 Steps for Making Time in Your Marriage

I hope you will enjoy this short excerpt from an article entitled, “8 Steps for Making Time in Your Marriage,” which was written by Todd Foley. Click here to read the whole article.

This month, we chatted with the experts to bring you eight practical tips for making time in your marriage and bringing your relationship back to the spotlight.

1. Make time by slowing down. 
   "Slowing requires simplifying your life and intentionally focusing on the things that are important to you…"
   —Dr. Johnny C. Parker Jr.
   

2. Set aside time to talk to each other – and actually talk!
   “As little as “30 minutes a day in direct, uninterrupted communication with each other inoculates your relationship from stagnation and decline."
   —Lesli Doares
   

3. Stay on top of each other’s unique needs.
   "No one can tell you about their needs if they are not communicated.”
   —Shannon Battle
   

4. Try something new – it’s good for your health!
   “New experiences help trigger positive neurotransmitters in the brain.”
   —Lesli Doares
   

5. Don’t let "home work" take up too much time.
   "You have to be creative with your time in these types of situations."
   —Cari Andreani
   

6. Draw near to each other, even when circumstances seem too hard to handle. 
   "Remember that you love each other, and that it’s just hard right now."
   —Dr. Jan Harrell
   

7. Keep your relationship as your top priority.
   "I don’t know anything that thrives on neglect, and this includes marriage."
   —Lesli Doares
   

8. Invite God into your daily lives.
   "Allowing God a place in a couple’s relationship is where the intimacy begins and should [be] maintained."
   —Roland Hinds