Consider this: Fifty percent of marriages fail, and many of those that do not fail exist in a world of hostility, anger, disappointment, and hopelessness. Why?  They fail because our focus is usually on ourselves and not on the needs of our spouses. During times of marital conflict, the Christian head and the Christian heart often go their separate ways. Love cannot flourish on a battlefield. Love is like a garden; it must be nourished and cultivated.

Faithfulness and diligence in the way we show love and respect toward one another makes all the difference. This means having a marriage that is growing in the process of placing Christ at the center of the relationship. Sometimes God moves in our marriage with lightening speed and at other times with agonizing slowness, but we can always trust Him to form, conform, and transform our marriage into a relationship that is pleasing in His sight. The world is watching and waiting to see authentic Christian marriages that reflect the love of Christ. Will they see Him in yours?

Discuss: Ask each other this question, and be willing to submit to the answer in love:  What one thing I can do to meet your needs more effectively?

Plant a word of love heart-deep in a person’s life.
Nurture it with a smile and a prayer, and watch what happens.
MAX L. LUCADO

Building Relationships Across Nations | Bringing Christ to the Home