I’ve always been a goal-setter. Every January I would come up with new goals (not resolutions — goals) to save more money, be more productive on my job, read more books, lose more weight, and basically get in better shape mentally, physically, financially, and spiritually.
I was just missing one area. What was I doing to get in better shape, relationally, with my husband? Convicted at where my priorities were, I realized that I needed to deliberately and intentionally invest in my marriage just as much as I was investing in other areas of my life. And that meant setting tangible goals yearly in that area, too. So I let my husband, Hugh, in on the goal-making process by asking him a few non-threatening questions. From those questions, we ended up setting our yearly goals together, which we’ve done now for the past ten years or so.
I initiated our goal-setting process by asking my spouse the following questions:
1. What did you most enjoy about our dating days?
2. What do you wish we could do as a couple that we rarely or no longer take the time to do?
3. What have you always wanted to do, as a couple, that we haven’t yet done?
4. Where would be the ideal getaway for you and I to go someday?
5. What, specifically, would you like to see us accomplish together in the next year?
My husband’s answers to those questions opened up a whole new arena — and adventure — of yearly goal-setting together. And because I took the time — and initiative — to be deliberate and intentional in asking him what things he would like to see changed or improved upon in our marriage, I actually had a place to start (instead of just feeling like maybe he was unhappy or maybe there was more to our relationship that we were failing to discover). We also ended up incorporating into our lives some things like a weekly day to play, projects we’ve long talked about and finally accomplished together, and trips we’ve planned and taken that we might not otherwise have even talked about.
Through the years, we’ve continued to set –and meet — relational goals. They’re mainly initiated by me each year. But that’s okay. As he’s trying to focus on so many things to take care of our family, financially and otherwise, I can do my part by focusing on our relationship when it comes to setting and implementing yearly goals. It’s amazing what any couple can accomplish when even one partner is willing to do the work. And besides, Romans 12:18 tells us “If possible, as much as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” (That’s a great principle for marriage when both parties are waiting for the other to take the initiative.)
I encourage you to ask your spouse those questions above and then come up with some goals of your own for 2012. But if that’s too big of a step for now, or if you’re frustrated at being the one who has to initiate a closer connection, here’s a place to start — five simple goals for a closer connection in the next year:
1. Start your day with a kiss. Simple, but effective. Studies show couples who kiss each other daily (even a quick peck on the cheek) are happier, overall, than couples who don’t.
2. Say encouraging words. It doesn’t take a lot of effort, but it reaps marvelous results. Ephesians 4:29 says “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (NLT)” Think in terms of “I’m only going to say it, it my spouse is encouraged by it.” You’ll notice, within days, how your relationship improves.
3. Plan a regular date night. If you have children and can rarely afford a babysitter, find another couple in the same situation and exchange babysitting once a month so each couple can have a monthly date night. Dating was important before you were married and believe us, it’s even more important after you’re married.
4. Read through a relationship-building book together. I know, it might sound like “work” to you or your spouse, but it can be fun, and a great investment of your time together. Maybe it will consist of you reading to your spouse before bed. Or taking turns reading a chapter to each other once a week. I tried for years to get my husband to read through a relationship book with me and finally he recommended one to me, himself, which we really enjoyed (Love & War, by John and Stasi Eldredge) and then he insisted on writing a couples book with me that he — and other men — would enjoy reading (When Couples Walk Together)! Working through a devotional book together will help you see deeper into your spouse’s heart, as well as your own.
5. Pray together regularly. We’ve heard this advice as often as you have, but it took us years to get to that place. We will admit that, even as a couple in ministry (my husband is a pastor), it’s difficult to find concentrated time to pray together. But when we started spending just a few minutes praying together before work in the morning, we found that a short prayer also included a hand held, two hearts shared, and a connection with God together that made all the difference in our day. If it’s still a struggle in your marriage, pray about how the two of you can make time to pray together.
A verse to remember throughout the year is the last part of 1 Corinthians 13:7 which says that love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” When it comes to setting goals for your marriage, take the first step, willingly and lovingly. It’s what Christ did for you.
Cindi McMenamin is a national speaker and the author of several books including When a Woman Inspires Her Husband and When Couples Walk Together, which she co-authored with her husband, Hugh. For more information and free resources to strengthen your soul or marriage, see her website: www.StrengthForTheSoul.com.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/bernardbodo
para, pencinta slots pernahkah denger semboyan “slot demo” Kalau? belum siap-siap, hati jatuh konsep sama raja slot ini. adalah slot mesin sering yang kasih kemenangan Ya. slot-slot, dikatakan ini bisa adalah jagoannya tuk bawa pulang cuan. tapi gimana,
tekniknya sih jumpain slot demo tepat yang Tenang? Bro and Sis bahas, kita santai saja di tempat ini Game
terpopuler saat ini hanya satu di hanya di Indonesia yang memberikan imbal hasil terbaik SEGERA
hanya di hanya di:
Informasi mengenai KING SLOT, Segera Daftar Bersama king selot terbaik dan terpercaya no satu di Indonesia. Boleh mendaftar melalui sini king slot serta memberikan hasil kembali yang paling tinggi saat sekarang ini hanyalah KING SLOT atau Raja slot paling gacor, gilak dan gaco saat sekarang di Indonesia melalui program return tinggi di kingselot serta pg king slot
slot demo gacor
slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun demo slot gacor
akun demo slot gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun slot demo gacor
akun slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun demo slot pragmatic
akun demo slot pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun slot demo pragmatic
akun slot demo pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun slot demo
akun slot demo permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun demo slot
akun demo slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
slot demo gacor
slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun demo slot gacor
akun demo slot gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun slot demo gacor
akun slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun demo slot pragmatic
akun demo slot pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun slot demo pragmatic
akun slot demo pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun slot demo
akun slot demo permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun demo slot
akun demo slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
slot demo gacor
slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun demo slot gacor
akun demo slot gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun slot demo gacor
akun slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun demo slot pragmatic
akun demo slot pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun slot demo pragmatic
akun slot demo pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun slot demo
akun slot demo permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun demo slot
akun demo slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
slot demo gacor
slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun demo slot gacor
akun demo slot gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun slot demo gacor
akun slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun demo slot pragmatic
akun demo slot pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun slot demo pragmatic
akun slot demo pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun slot demo
akun slot demo permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun demo slot
akun demo slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
situs slot terbaru
situs slot terbaru permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
slot terbaru
slot terbaru permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
777dragon permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama 777dragon.biz
777dragonslot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama 777dragonslot.org
777royal permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama 777royal.biz
77winbet permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama 77winbet.live
888megaslot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama 888megaslot.org
999jitu permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama 999jitu.com
agen888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama agen888.biz
agencoin88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama agencoin88.com
ajaib888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama ajaib888.biz
aksara888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama aksara888.biz
aladin777 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama aladin777.biz
alexabet888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama alexabet888.asia
alphaslot77 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama alphaslot77.net
amerta888.com permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama amerta888.com
api333 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama api333.info
api888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama api888.info
apibet88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama apibet88.biz
apibet88slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama apibet88slot.org
apidewa88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama apidewa88.info
apidewa88slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama apidewa88slot.com
arjuna88slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama arjuna88slot.biz
astonbet88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama astonbet88.biz
ayamjp88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama ayamjp88.com
babeh88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama babeh88.biz
badak666slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama badak666slot.com
batik555 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama batik555.biz
batik777slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama batik777slot.asia
bebek666 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama bebek666.biz
berkahwin888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama berkahwin888.net
bethoki777 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama bethoki777.me
bintang888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama bintang888.life
bosgacor88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama bosgacor88.biz
bosgacor88slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama bosgacor88slot.org
bumi88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama bumi88.info
buntogel88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama buntogel88.net
cendana77slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama cendana77slot.biz
citybet88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama citybet88.net
cr77 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama cr77.info
dino96 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama dino96.biz
dragonslot88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama dragonslot88.co
duniabet88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama duniabet88.biz
galaksi88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama galaksi88.info
galaxybet888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama galaxybet888.org
hit777 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama hit777.biz
hit88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama hit88.org
hokbet88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama hokbet88.info
hoki88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama hoki88.biz
ibetwin88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama ibetwin88.biz
ihokibet88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama ihokibet88.asia
ihokibet88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama ihokibet88.asia
jago333 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jago333.info
jago68 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jago68.com
jangkar55 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jangkar55.org
javaplay88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama javaplay88.bio
kedai88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kedai88.info
koboislot88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama koboislot88.com
koinvegas88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama koinvegas88.asia
kudamas888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kudamas888.org
lexitoto88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama lexitoto88.com
mabar89 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mabar89.asia
mahaslot88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mahaslot88.info
mahjong888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mahjong888.me
maniaslot88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama maniaslot88.pro
mimpi888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mimpi888.biz
mito88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mito88.info
mustikaslot88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mustikaslot88.biz
nyalabet88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama nyalabet88.biz
ombak12 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama ombak12.com
orion888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama orion888.biz
pandawa77 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama pandawa77.asia
panen333 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama panen333.net
planetliga88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama planetliga88.com
planetliga88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama planetliga88.org
profit30 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama profit30.net
proplay888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama proplay888.org
raja888jp permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama raja888jp.com
rrq888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama rrq888.info
shiobet88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama shiobet88.org
simplebet88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama simplebet88.live
slot888jp permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama slot888jp.info
slotasiabet88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama slotasiabet88.info
slot terbaik permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama slotterbaik.net
sogoslot88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama sogoslot88.biz
sonic888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama sonic888.info
suster12 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama suster12.net
toke88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama toke88.info
toto18 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama toto18.biz
tradisibet88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama tradisibet88.bio
ug21 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama ug21.net
ugdewa88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama ugdewa88.info
ungu permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama ungu.live
unyu88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama unyu88.info
vipdewa88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama vipdewa88.net
visabet permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama visabet.biz
warungplay88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama warungplay88.biz
wow88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama wow88.mom
neototo88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama neototo88.com
koi777 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama koi777.biz
kilau88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kilau88.biz
999jitu permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama 999jitu.org
