Strengthening your marriage

You can listen to this post here on Refresh Her podcast.

The grace of God is appropriated to all who put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. So many songs are written about God’s grace. A newer one is “The Lord is my salvation”. It starts out –

The grace of God has reached for me

And pulled me from the raging sea,

And I am safe on this solid ground

The Lord is my salvation

We are so thankful for God’s grace to us in our daily lives, aren’t we? Grace forgives, helps, equips, guides, and restores. It gives to me what I do not deserve.

John 1:14, 16, 17 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. . . . For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

Recently my grandsons were at our home for dinner. When it was time for dessert, I brought out three different flavors of ice cream and asked the boys what kind they would like. One of the boys answered with, “I’ll START with the cookies and cream.” That clearly meant that he was not going to stop with one bowl. He would have one scoop and then he would have another. That’s a visual of grace upon grace at Gigi’s house.

Christians receive grace and then more grace—grace served on top of grace—grace and then, in place of that, more grace. The point is that Christ is full of grace, and those who know Him get showered with grace.

What’s abundantly clear is that, when we come to Christ, He dishes out grace in heaping, huge servings.

Our marriages are to be pictures of the Gospel. What would grace in marriage look like?

Grace in marriage would mean giving to my spouse out of my unselfish love what they may not deserve.

Here are ten ways to show grace to your spouse ~

Continue reading →

Like any relationship, marriage can get into a rut. It sounds the same as when you hit those rumble strips on the interstate. It’s irritating, and it makes you move over, but often it’s not long before you hear that roar again. Why? Because you’re kind of daydreaming your way through your marriage.

It’s easy to “fall asleep at the wheel” and not make the efforts in your relationship that you used to make when things were new and fresh. But I have good news for you today! If you’re still breathing and your husband also has breath, things can change TODAY! Let me make three simple suggestions – all that are doable today and cost nothing except your intentionality!

SMILE DAILY (use your lips and your eyes to smile!)
When he walks in the door. Smile.
While you’re listening to him. Smile.
When you’re telling him about your day. Smile.
When you see him across the room. Smile.
It’s easier to be too busy to even look up at one another. It’s easier to furrow our brows and scowl. SMILE instead.
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine. Proverbs 17:22
MAKE MORE DEPOSITS INTO YOUR MARRIAGE THAN WITHDRAWALS EACH DAY
Deposit a compliment instead of criticism. Instead of fussing about the negative thing you’re thinking about, give a compliment of something in which he made you proud.
Deposit help instead of looking to receive help. I believe husbands should help their wife, but what would happen if we volunteered to run an errand, lift a load, or do a chore for him? Would we look like Christ in our sacrifice?
Deposit affection instead of pulling away physically and emotionally. Put away that cold shoulder, little peck, or icy back. Pull the wall down with the warmth of your affection.
Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.
PRAY FOR YOUR HUSBAND FOR AT LEAST FIVE MINUTES EVERY DAY.
Pray about the things that irritate you.
Pray about the weaknesses in your relationship.
Pray for his burdens, pressures and obligations.
Pray for your hearts to be knit together stronger than ever.
Luke 18:1 – Men (women) aught always to pray and not to faint.

Dear wife, I’m convinced that if we would practice these three initiatives DAILY we would have happy husbands, which would equal happy wives, and that boils down to a happy marriage! Try it and tell me about your results!

Refresh your marriage TODAY!