It Takes Work

It takes work to have a Happy Marriage.  You don't just wake up and go through the daily grind and somehow expect your marriage to be the best thing ever -- something that is just going to tag along on your daily commute and come out at the end of the day with a smile larger than how it began.

As I recently was reminded by the Marriage page on Facebook, "Happy marriages don't happen by accident. They're the result of a consistent investment of time and thoughtfulness into the relationship. Each new day, find new ways to bring a smile to your spouse's face." 

I am absolutely ecstatic about this advice.  Whether you already knew that a happy marriage takes work, or whether you have learned the hard way, or whether you have never heard this before and haven't put much into your marriage - here is the reminder - MARRIAGE ISN'T EASY, BUT IT IS THE GREATEST GIFT TO WORK FOR!

I know that at times it may seem easier to put your needs before your spouses needs, to care only about what it happening in your life, but try against all odds to remember your spouse.  Your marriage should always be about the two of you.  Whether you have children or are pregnant or have grown children or no children - the most important thing for them and the most important thing for you is to have a Happy Marriage.

A Happy Marriage takes work.  It requires self-sacrifice.  It requires unending sacrificial love.  It requires putting the needs of your spouse before your own.  It requires the intentional investment of your time.  It requires thoughtfulness.  It requires so much, but is so worth it when at the end of the day you and your spouse are of one heart, one mind, and one soul.

You may not always be able to solve all the problems.  You may not always find a way to make your spouse smile.  You may not always be able to be strong.  You may not always be able to sacrifice your needs for your spouse.  You may not always be able to do the numerous things you want and need to do for your spouse, but with God's help and your honest intention you will always succeed in making your marriage the best that it can be!

Take the time today to work for your marriage.  Take the time tomorrow to work for your marriage.  Take the time every day for the rest of your life to work for your marriage.  Whether your marriage is in a perfect place right now or not, take the time to work for your marriage.  I am not saying that it will be easy.  If you are not in a great place right now in your marriage, it is going to be hard work.  There are numerous resources available that you can use to help you work at your marriage.  My favorite, whether your marriage is in shambles or is perfect right now, is the book Love Dare!  It gives you some practical phenomenal ways to love your spouse and work for your marriage.  They also have wonderful resources online for couples.  I also encourage you to follow the Marriage page on Facebook.  It has wonderful daily Christian advice about marriage!  A daily reminder that we can all use!

May your Marriage be Happy!  Whether you are just starting out in marriage or have been married for years, all you will ever want is a Happy Marriage and you can have one if you invest in the marriage.  Start now if you are at the beginning and if you are years in start now because it is never too late to have the Happy Marriage you desired the day you said "I do".