Love That Lasts: 30 Days to a Stronger Marriageنموونە

A Time to Be Silent

"There is a time for everything . . . a time to be silent and a time to speak." (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7)

I (Dr. James Dobson) still remember the day, just two weeks before Shirley and I were married, when we proudly drove off a used car lot in the gleaming white 1957 Ford sedan I had just purchased. Five blocks down the road, to celebrate this historic event, I leaned over to give Shirley a quick kiss.

It wasn't quick enough! At that instant, two cars in front of us made an unexpected stop. I crashed into the first and knocked it into a second. The front of my gorgeous car crumpled like an accordion. Fortunately, there were no injuries, except to my pride.

Because of this stupid mistake, I couldn't afford to buy Shirley a wedding ring with even a small diamond, and the car we had dreamed of buying for so long was severely damaged. Yet Shirley never let the accident tarnish the romantic aura of our early days together. I never heard a word of criticism about it, and on our first anniversary, I bought her the diamond ring. Forty years later, Shirley still hasn't complained about my bad driving!

We urge you to think before you say hurtful and unkind words that will burn in the memory of your spouse for many years. Protect your romantic relationship, even when criticism seems justified. Your love for each other is a precious and fragile flower. Treat it that way.

Questions for Today . . .

• Do you actively protect the element of romance in your marriage?
• Are you wise enough to know when it is "time to be silent"?
• When life's misfortunes strike, is there still a feeling of romance between you and your spouse?

Prayer . . .

Lord, You ask me to keep my marriage partner's interests uppermost in my mind, but sometimes this doesn't come naturally. Help me to be more thoughtful, giving, and forgiving in how I tend to my spouse's heart. Amen.

(Excerpted from Dr. James and Shirley Dobson’s book, Night Light for Couples. Used with permission.)

Bonus Content: Taking a Bite Out of Anger

Anger is a natural response when a family member lashes out at you, or situations don’t go the way you expect. In this video, Brenen and Morgan Beeler offer several suggestions to help diffuse heated conflicts. Their insights can greatly improve your family relations.