Bright Ideas for Romance

Newlyweds get a lot of advice from their elders and they're all the better for it as they embark on a journey that is not without its ups and downs.

If you come into a relationship looking only for the fun times, you'll get a rude awakening for long term relationships are best matured in the not-so-fun times.  It can only be true love if it stands the test of time.

One advice is to love, no matter what.  Isn't that a tall order?  What if she shops too much? What if he burps so loudly every day?  Love, no matter what.

EXERCISE for the WEEK -

Be grateful for God's best gift to you - your spouse.  When he/she does something you don't like, think of the phrase, "love no matter what".

CREATIVE CHALLENGE -

We remember things better when we write them down.  Grab a brush pen and do some calligraphy!  

There are a lot of brushes to choose from!

We like the Kuretake ones as they produce thick, bold strokes.

The best advice we can give you is -

practice,

practice,

and

practice!

Wait, you don't have a brush pen?  No worries, we had our artist Calej make a sample video of calligraphy without a brush pen.  She just used a black ballpen.

It's your turn!  

PICTURE CREDIT: DAILY MAIL

Imagine being married for 90 years?  That's how long Karam and Kartari Chand were married until the husband's passing last October.  He was 110 and his wife was 103 at the time.  They have 8 children and 27 grandchildren.  Let's see what we can learn from this amazing couple.

The two met as teenagers in India and eventually settled in the U.K.  When asked the secret to their happy married life, they said, they they "don't argue" and they get along.  Is that possible you say?  It must be!

Some would argue that arguing or "discussing" is part of married life and that fighting fair is good for your relationship.

We must agree that expressing your opinions and not keeping it inside is good but how do you say this to your partner without arguing?

EXERCISE for the WEEK -

Express yourself lovingly and not argumentatively.  See what this does for your relationship.

CREATIVE CHALLENGE -

Print the quote below and color in with crayons or paint, etc.  Paste on your journal to remind you of the week's assignment.

Respect comes from the Latin word "respectus" which means "to look back, to regard, to consider".  We are to look at our spouse with attentive, reflective vision.  We are not to disregard them or to forget looking at them.

Some studies have shown that RESPECT is even more important than communication.  In 1 Peter 3, where the bible talks about marriage, respect has more mentions compared to love.

"Wives, respect and obey your husbands in the same way. Then the husbands who do not obey the word of God will want to know God. They will want to know God because their wives live good lives, even though they say nothing about God. 1 Peter 3:1"

 "Husbands, also live with your wife the way you know is right. Respect her because she is a woman. She is not as strong as a man. Also respect her because God has given her, as well as you, the blessing of life." 1 Peter 3:7

So, respect is one of the secrets to a long and happy marriage.  We don't give it only when our partner does something good but even when they have failed you.  It's something we shouldn't ever forget if we want them to be content and happy in the relationship.

EXERCISE for the WEEK -

Read 1 Peter 3 and think of how to respect to your spouse in the day to day circumstances of life.

CREATIVE CHALLENGE -

Make a song about respect!  Click here for the online music studio.  Just play around with it and have a fun memory.

Our last advice is by no means the least.  It's probably the most important.  You'd think our spouses ought to be at the top slot but it's God who should occupy that place.

Putting God first puts everything in the proper order.

"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Luke 10:27

If we put God first and consequently, His ways, that is the best we can do for our spouses.  God is love and if we follow the ways of love, we cannot go wrong.  God alone can give us the grace we need to make it the best marriage ever!

If we put our spouses first and our world revolves around them, this is not going to be a happy way to live.

Just think of your spouse agreeing with you even when you are going to do something wrong.  This is not good for our spouse.  If God was in first place, we can encourage our partner to make the right decision, in accordance with God's righteous ways.

Put God first and your spouse second.

EXERCISE for the WEEK -

Spend some time in prayer thanking God for His blessings and of course, for your spouse.

CREATIVE CHALLENGE -

Create a collage with your favorite traits of your spouse.  Use your calligraphy and computer for typing out the characteristics of your spouse!  Then you can give it to him/her as a memorable gift!

We hope you enjoyed making the projects in this article!  Feel free to share them with us by a link on the comments below!