By Dana Randolph
Marriage is one of the most beautiful gifts to behold from our creator. When we take the necessary steps to sow and do right by our spouses, our marriage will grow and prosper in the right direction. Without proper love and care, marriage can slowly deteriorate due to lack of the essentials needed to keep it maintained. Think about our cars; In order to keep the car life healthy, annual maintenance is required. The mechanic runs a diagnostic to check for anything that could be wrong with the engine and transmission. He checks and rotates the tires if need be. He even suggest new tires if the old ones are worn. Good tires help the car ride more efficiently and effectively on the road. He also changes the air filter so that the car can continue to get good gas mileage and optimum air flow to improve engine performance. Every six thousand miles, an oil change is needed. The blessing with our cars is that when it’s time to get an oil change, the indicator light comes on.
What about the idea of doing a diagnostic in marriage? Every so often do a check in with each other in prayer to see what could be fixed or improved. It would make sense to check in with the creator of marriage on a regular basis to ask for wisdom, guidance and direction. Just think if more couples put aside their pride and admitted that help is often needed in order to keep things going, we would probably see less divorce rates. The issue is, most don’t want to change the things about themselves that could be hindering growth in their marriage.
How about do a heart check with our creator? “Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me”. Psalm 51:10. Also, what about asking for wisdom on how to be a better husband or wife? “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him”. James 1:5. Another diagnostic check can be for understanding. “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding”. Proverbs 4:7.
Now, do a check in with each other. Ask how you can serve each other better. Send cute text messages throughout the day. Make time for regular date nights, even if it’s spending time at home watching a movie. Give each other massages. Make love consistently. Communicate in love. Grab a nice gift and present it to your spouse. These are the things that can help keep a marriage going. It just takes some effort from both husband and wife.
Just think if we would check in with God on a consistent basis regarding our marriage, doing everything we can to maintain the beautiful union that He has blessed us with. Our marriages would be so much better and more grounded. We wouldn’t have room for things to fall apart, because our focus would be on keeping things together. The choice should be to do the work needed to keep a healthy marriage just like we do with our cars. Do the work, pray together. Pray individually as well. Go to the scriptures that can help you out the most. Communicate and listen to each other.
Marriage can work, but you must want it to work.
5 Maintenance tips for your marriage:
- Daily prayer
- Study the word
- Communicate in wisdom
- Make time for each other
- Look to serve each other