By: Rebecca Little, Elementary School Principal

What is the recipe for a strong and healthy marriage? We all know that one important ingredient is putting forth the effort to remain connected and on the same page. As Chris and I just celebrated our 35th anniversary, we decided that we needed a refresher … to take some time to realign our marriage. It had been a long time since we took a weekend to focus on our marriage and seek God to teach us and remind us of the covenant we made together. We just concluded “Soul Care for Your Marriage” at WinShape Marriage Retreat, and I’m writing this blog before we leave this beautiful place where we were able to find reconnection, respite, and rejuvenation.

THE GIFT OF Marriage

No matter how short or long you have been married, it is healthy to get away and clear the noise so that you are more open to God, your spouse, and yourself. What we experienced and learned over this weekend was rich, helpful, and needed, and I felt the Lord nudging me to share a few key ideas that may be reminders or something new to apply in your marriage.

• Slow down. To hear God clearly, we must slow down individually and as a couple to share and make connections with each other. We must take time to look back and talk about the God moments, the storms and disappointments, the changes and transitions, and the accomplishments and celebrations. Reflecting on these times and what God has done or is doing through them brings healthy conversation. As Eugene Peterson says, “Sometimes we need to slow down, in order to catch up with God’s work in our lives.”

• Identify your burdens and then lay them down before the Lord. Spend time interceding for each other and giving and receiving blessings for each other.

• Play and laugh together. Sometimes we forget that, as a couple, we need to have fun together. It was refreshing to see couples enjoying each other while playing games or sitting around a fire pit talking and laughing.

• Don’t neglect your marriage even when children require so much of your time. Your marriage is a security blanket for your children. They must see that your marriage is your priority and that it is not child-centered. A child-centered relationship can be more at risk for challenging marital issues.

• Always stay curious about your spouse. After years of marriage, you tend to think that you know all about each other (which we do know oh so much!), but there are seasons in our lives and in our marriages that continue to mold us and make us more into His image that we can always explore and be curious to learn more about in order to grow closer.

God ordained marriage. It is a beautiful gift that He created for us to enjoy together and even use to sanctify us to bring Him glory.

May WE yearn and pray for our marriages to be Christ-centered and reflect Christ’s love.

It takes effort, and at times, it can be hard. But the return on the investment in each other is highly worth it, for both us and our children.

To learn more about the marriage retreats offered by Winshape go to www.winshapemarriage.org.