Do you want to know four essentials for a good marriage? Here they are:
Encouragement
This quality cannot be stressed enough. One of our adult offspring once said, ‘you and Dad always encouraged me in whatever I did. You made me believe I could do anything I set my mind to.’
While I was pleased to hear that, I also thought that’s the sort of encouragement each of us needs to be for our spouse. We need to be behind them in whatever they do encouraging them every step of the way, whether it’s changing jobs or learning a new skill.
A guy the other night was telling Mick and me how his wife encouraged him after he lost his job. She asked him what he’d always wanted to do and never had a chance. He told her woodworking. She encouraged him to have a go and enroll in a course. Now he’s had twenty years of enjoyment and earning from it and is passing on that skill to other younger men.
Express Your Love
Each of us needs to express our love and appreciation for our spouse -in the things we say, certainly but also in the things we do. Each one of us likes to be told and let know in little ways that we are loved. It should be as vital as breathing to let your spouse know how important they are and how special to you.
Enthusiasm
Enthusiasm for your marriage is something we need to see more. I’m annoyed when I hear negativity from people about marriage. If you are enthusiastic about marriage, about its chances of success and then work to make it happen, then is more chance it will than if it is entered with a negative outlook.
Exclusivity
Marriage is an exclusive contract. Sadly, that is not upheld in today’s society. Society fights against exclusivity, as do the examples we see from celebrity marriages. Some of them change partners as easily as changing shoes. They seem to be trying to negate exclusivity. Marriage is not upheld or valued. We will need to work against this current trend and commit to our marriage and spouse exclusively. This means not still eying off others that are out there and wondering…what if. It’s that idea of building a hedge around around marriage.
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