oscarin63
12-04-2006, 11:49 AM
How to Make Time for Your Spouse
Today people live incredibly busy lifestyles. Running a home, raising kids and working too, how do you find the time to dedicate to your spouse? Well, I’m no expert. In fact, I have been married for only six months. However, during this time, my wife Rossane and I have experienced an exceptional amount of joy in our marriage. We see other couples, who are in the same boat, and struggle. We often wonder: Why aren’t they experiencing the same joy and peace we are?
There are many reasons our marriage is blessed, but I believe the main reason is because we consistently have a “quiet time” or devotional together. I once heard a sermon on the principle of first fruits. In this sermon the pastor explained that we must dedicate the first fruits (the first 10%) of our income and our time to the Lord. Although we don’t dedicate the first two hours and a half of our day to the Lord (something I am still asking the Lord for wisdom about) we do have a quiet time. It is spent in the Word meditating, praying, and sharing. The result has been God’s favor in our relationship and our lives.
Matthew 6:33 states, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things shall be given to you as well” (NIV.) I believe this spiritual principle applies here as well. When we keep our commitment and obey his commands, we are blessed. . It’s just like the principle of tithing. If you tithe faithfully you will see that you will never be in want financially. If you devote time as a couple to the Lord, your life together will never be lacking anything. Of course there will be problems to solve, but you are going to the Lord to find solutions. He provides you with the wisdom, courage and miracles to overcome those difficulties.
Another benefit of having our quiet time is that we share what is in our inner most being. We share the emotional, daily, and spiritual concerns or praises that need to be expressed. We then take them to our heavenly Father, who ministers to us in very unique and special ways. It’s not only a time of problem solving, but also a time of renewal and restoration of hope, joy, love, and peace. Many times after we have had a great quiet time, the Lord blesses us romantically as well.
Another thing that has been helpful to remember is that your partner must be your top priority. With so many things to do it is easy to get distracted. I once read that the most important person, other than Jesus, has to be your spouse. They have to take precedence over everyone and everything in your life. Sure you need to make time for others, but the wedding band on your finger indicates that you should first minister to your spouse.
Of more importance is your quiet time. That should include your spouse. It’s vital because you are presenting yourselves to God. You are worshiping Him and He is ministering to you. Our Lord wants to help you so much. Why not take advantage of the opportunity that He gives us each day to meet with Him? The time that both of you dedicate to Him is not only an investment in your marriage, but an investment of every aspect of your lives
My experience has been if you consistently keep those two first in your life, everything falls into place. God has designed life to work in a certain way. Part of that design involves worshiping Him first, and another part involves the institution of marriage. Both are extremely essential to God, and need to be essential to us. So why not commit today to having a consistent quiet time? Not only will your marriage be blessed, but you will have peace, joy and time for your spouse. The quality of life we experience today is a consequence of decisions we have made in the past. If we commit to the Lord now our union is blessed from that moment on.!thumbsup!
Today people live incredibly busy lifestyles. Running a home, raising kids and working too, how do you find the time to dedicate to your spouse? Well, I’m no expert. In fact, I have been married for only six months. However, during this time, my wife Rossane and I have experienced an exceptional amount of joy in our marriage. We see other couples, who are in the same boat, and struggle. We often wonder: Why aren’t they experiencing the same joy and peace we are?
There are many reasons our marriage is blessed, but I believe the main reason is because we consistently have a “quiet time” or devotional together. I once heard a sermon on the principle of first fruits. In this sermon the pastor explained that we must dedicate the first fruits (the first 10%) of our income and our time to the Lord. Although we don’t dedicate the first two hours and a half of our day to the Lord (something I am still asking the Lord for wisdom about) we do have a quiet time. It is spent in the Word meditating, praying, and sharing. The result has been God’s favor in our relationship and our lives.
Matthew 6:33 states, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things shall be given to you as well” (NIV.) I believe this spiritual principle applies here as well. When we keep our commitment and obey his commands, we are blessed. . It’s just like the principle of tithing. If you tithe faithfully you will see that you will never be in want financially. If you devote time as a couple to the Lord, your life together will never be lacking anything. Of course there will be problems to solve, but you are going to the Lord to find solutions. He provides you with the wisdom, courage and miracles to overcome those difficulties.
Another benefit of having our quiet time is that we share what is in our inner most being. We share the emotional, daily, and spiritual concerns or praises that need to be expressed. We then take them to our heavenly Father, who ministers to us in very unique and special ways. It’s not only a time of problem solving, but also a time of renewal and restoration of hope, joy, love, and peace. Many times after we have had a great quiet time, the Lord blesses us romantically as well.
Another thing that has been helpful to remember is that your partner must be your top priority. With so many things to do it is easy to get distracted. I once read that the most important person, other than Jesus, has to be your spouse. They have to take precedence over everyone and everything in your life. Sure you need to make time for others, but the wedding band on your finger indicates that you should first minister to your spouse.
Of more importance is your quiet time. That should include your spouse. It’s vital because you are presenting yourselves to God. You are worshiping Him and He is ministering to you. Our Lord wants to help you so much. Why not take advantage of the opportunity that He gives us each day to meet with Him? The time that both of you dedicate to Him is not only an investment in your marriage, but an investment of every aspect of your lives
My experience has been if you consistently keep those two first in your life, everything falls into place. God has designed life to work in a certain way. Part of that design involves worshiping Him first, and another part involves the institution of marriage. Both are extremely essential to God, and need to be essential to us. So why not commit today to having a consistent quiet time? Not only will your marriage be blessed, but you will have peace, joy and time for your spouse. The quality of life we experience today is a consequence of decisions we have made in the past. If we commit to the Lord now our union is blessed from that moment on.!thumbsup!