Marriage

With a husband deployed and our third child’s due date facing me, several friends rallied. Some watched our two older children until my parents arrived in town. Another friend drove with me to the hospital. A few stayed with me as I labored unsuccessfully, and one even stayed the night at the hospital, then attended the birth in the operating room the following day. They showed up. And we can too.

Having in-laws that are tough to get along with can make an already stressful holiday even more difficult. But learning to love yourself, asking your spouse to honor your relationship, and setting firm boundaries will help diffuse a difficult situation.

Holiday tension starts when silent expectations collide. This heartfelt guide helps you release control, communicate clearly, and build unity in your home this season.

As we embrace this season of waiting for the coming of Christ, setting aside time to intentionally meditate on who Christ is and what he has done for us helps keep us focused on the meaning of Christmas. As married couples we need to have rituals in our lives that draw us closer to God. Participating in Advent is one way we can grow closer to each other and the Lord.

A guide to building lasting holiday traditions into married life.

Get ready to fight for your wife in the way she needs most – and pray for her! Don't worry if you need a game plan; I've got you covered. Below you will find a Scripture and a simple prayer to lift up your lovely wife for each day of the week.

Your primary emotional and relational commitment must be toward building and protecting your marriage, even during family gatherings. The challenge arises when external pressures, such as expectations from parents or siblings, interfere with this unity. Perhaps one set of parents wants you to spend the entire holiday at their house, or your extended family members make passive-aggressive comments about how much time you’re devoting to your spouse versus them.

Gratitude isn't about hailing the action performed but celebrating the soul behind the deed that needs to know they're seen and treasured.

What causes physical connection in marriage to fade? You may be surprised by how everyday habits—like busyness, screens, or unspoken hurt—can quietly pull spouses apart. Here’s how to guard the intimacy God designed for your marriage.

It’s not old-fashioned—it’s biblical. Why praying for your husband, respecting his leadership, and creating calm at home might be the most powerful ministry you have.

As couples, when we're able to focus on the big picture and release the small stuff, we can have greater overall satisfaction in our marriages. I believe that this level of satisfaction can become the balm that soothes our souls when our adventure together feels more like forging a path in some unknown and uncharted territory.

Be intentional about improving your marriage: setting seasonal goals can help you stay close through all of life's seasons.

A marriage thrives when both the husband and wife love Christ more than anyone in life, including their spouse. And when they look to The Lord as their provider - rather than demanding their spouse meet all their needs. When you learn to devote your heart to loving the Lord, there will be a natural outpouring of thankfulness and God's love spilling out of your heart and onto those around you - especially your marriage partner.

The expression of one’s love and how they receive it was made clearer when pastor Gary Chapman published the book, The Five Love Languages. In this groundbreaking resource, Chapman identified five languages of love; essentially, how people receive and share love.

This one’s for the husbands; a list of things better left unsaid to your wife.