We have been married going on 46 years now so we have been asked on more than one occasion (usually at a bridal or wedding shower) what has made our marriage last.
When we were first married we were told by an older couple, “Don’t go to bed still mad at each other.” Good advice as it echos scripture, “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,” in Eph 4:26.
We remind the young couple that marriage is the matrix of life whose primary purpose is to show Christ and His Bride to the people around us but most especially to our children. And this mostly by serving each other in love.
I’ve been known to quote 1 Pe 3:7 “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”
And my wife has offered the verses right above this in 1 Pe 3:1-6 “Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, … For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God … submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord.”
Here are a bunch more of marriage aphorisms ……..
From a Google search:
The Keys to a Successful Marriage
- Communicate clearly and often. …
- Tell your spouse that you’re thankful for having him or her in your life. …
- Make time for you two as a couple. …
- Plan for some personal time. …
- Understand that it’s OK to disagree. …
- Build trust. …
- Learn to forgive.
The Secret to Having a Happy Marriage
- First of all, even happy couples argue.
- Focus on each other’s strengths.
- Don’t expect your partner to complete you.
- But still, do things together. …
- Choose to be attracted to you spouse.
- Laugh with each other.
- Be kind to one another.
- Celebrate small, good, moments.
At Fatherly.com you can read all 23 pieces with their commentary.
23 Damn Good Pieces of Marriage Advice
- 1. Remember Your Commitment
- Assume the Best of One Another
- Don’t Ever Stop Trying
- Stop Stonewalling
- Communicate Respectfully
- Always Be Flexible
- Learn How to Move On From Arguments
- Laugh it Up
- Always Be Validating
- Stop Obsessing Over Who Wins
- Stay in Tune With Self-Care
- Pay Attention to the Little Things
- Give One Another Space
But by far the best advice for a happy marriage I have ever heard came from a woman who had already been married for a couple decades. She gave this advice to the eager young women gathered around the bride-to-be at her bridal shower: “Just do it. No matter how much you don’t want to. Just do it.”
Lord Buckbeak 