What Have You Done For Your Marriage Today?

There is a billboard on interstate 75 that says "What have you done for your marriage today"? I am convicted every time I read that sign. We do many things in a day for us or for our children, but what have we done for our marriage.

My husband and I have spent a lot of time teaching marriage overseas. I want to begin with what Paul has to say about marriage in Ephesians 5. Wives are to submit to their own husbands realizing that her husband is her head as Christ is the head of the church. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ has loved the church and sacrificed Himself for her. He does this to sanctify her - to make her holy without blemish (Ephesians 5: 22-27).

Now let's look at some specifics. Are we kind and tenderhearted, forgiving our spouse as Christ has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32)? Do our words build up and impart grace to our spouse (Ephesians 4: 29)? Are we concerned more with our spouse's interest than we are our own (Philippians 2: 4)? Do you look your spouse in the eyes when he or she is speaking with you? Do you pray for your spouse for their physical struggles, mental struggles, areas they work in and more importantly their growth in the Lord?

If I asked "Do you love your spouse?" what would you say? There are those who love their spouses but they are not in love with their spouses. That is a topic for another day. Either way, we are to love our spouses and Paul shows us how to do that in I Corinthians 13.

What have you done for your marriage today?