Greg and I just celebrated 10 years of marriage last Friday. We thank God for the GIFT of our marriage.
Admittedly, marriage is not easy. Yet, when two people truly value their marriage as the gift it was created to be, it can be fulfilling and rewarding.
Today, in honor of our 10 years, I’d like to share 10 Pearls of Wisdom for you to apply to your relationship. These pearls could make a life-changing difference in your marriage!
I list these in no particular order—they are ALL important.
- Make a commitment to pray together daily. When God is your foundation, you can get through anything together on your knees.
- Choose to love each other even in those moments when you struggle to like each other. Love is a commitment NOT a feeling.
- Give each other your best. Serving leftovers, after you’ve given your best to everyone else, will always leave your partner feeling hungry.
- Be quick to admit when you are wrong. Say, “I’m sorry for____.” Name what you did or didn’t do specifically. “I was wrong. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”
- Be your spouse’s biggest ENCOURAGER, not his/her biggest critic. Be the one who wipes away the tears, not the one who causes them.
- Stop giving your spouse the ‘finger’ (the index finger). Greet your spouse at the door with a hug NOT your index finger. Your index finger always says, “WAIT. Something or someone is more important than you.”
- Get the duct tape handy. When you have to choose between saying nothing or saying something mean or critical, put a piece of duct tape over your mouth and say NOTHING every time!
- Fire friends who speak poorly or criticize your spouse. Yes, that includes family members too.
- Support in public. Confront in private. Never talk badly about your spouse to other people or in front of others. It’s your job to protect your spouse.
- When your husband/wife breaks your trust or disappoints you, give them your forgiveness instantly. Forgiveness will promote healing and create the space for trust to be restored. Be quick to say, “I love you. I forgive you. Let’s move forward.”
I hope you’ll apply these simple truths to your relationship today. And, please share this post with your sphere of influence.
Wonderful words as always. You are such an inspiration to all who have the pleasure of knowing you
Charlie, thank you! I’m GRATEFUL for you and your comment, Thank you for making the time to read and share your thoughts. I APPRECIATE YOU!
Congrats on 10 years and thanks for those pearls. I think I will make a necklace!
I LOVE THAT Tammy! A pearl necklace! Thank you for commenting! Merry Christmas to you and Ernie!
Wow! Great stuff! Powerful! Implementing even one of those pearls in a marriage could make such a difference. CONGRATULATIONS on 10 years of marriage!
Thank you Maritsa! I hope you and your family are thriving! We think of you often. I appreciate you making the time to read and share your thoughts regarding this post! Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family!
Hi Susan
My husband and I attend HBC in Elgin and we miss seeing you .Congratulations on your anniversary
Wishing many more years together and God’s richest blessings to you both <3
Nancy, how kind and thoughtful of you to reach out! I am SO SORRY for my tardy reply. I am just now seeing your message. We MISS HARVEST and the wonderful people and teaching so much. We are thankful God moved mountains to bring us to the mountains. I send you my warmest blessings for a Healthy and Blessed New Year! Seeing your message made my day! Thank you!
So simple yet insanely profound. Such an amazing gift to glean from your wisdom. I love your wisdom and zest for life my”Alien friend “. Many blessings upon your marriage. You and Greg are such an inspiration!!
I’m STILL LAUGHING about being an ALIEN…of course, we BOTH KNOW that I AM! 🙂 Yes, so simple and yet so many do not make the time to implement these SIMPLE truths.