10 Principles for Guarding Intimacy in Marriage Part 5

For a few weeks on Monday Musings, we’re looking at principles found in the 10 commandments that can be applied to guarding intimacy with our spouse. Not legalistic, binding laws, but principles that can guide us in our decisions.
To catch up on this series: part 1, part 2, part 3, part4
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” 
Exodus 20:8
I like this one. For marriages, it sounds like this: “Slow down, relax, laugh together.” 

How can we connect if we are always in a hurry and stressed? 
I know I have a hard time shutting down the “I’ve got to get it done” mode. But I believe it’s necessary if we want a healthy marriage. 
Speakers use humor all the time to connect with their audience. Preachers use humor to get people to open up so they will hear the message. In the same way, humor helps us connect with our spouse and smooths the way for understanding each other.
Slowing down provides the time to really listen to each other’s hearts. Relaxing eases the stress so we don’t overreact so much when dealing with conflict.

Once again, you have to be very intentional to make this happen. Here are a few ideas to get you started:  
·  Worship God or do your Bible study together.
·  Block out a period of time when social media is a no-no. For both of you. Then take that time and talk.
· Turn off ALL electronic toys. That means your time together can’t be watching a movie or playing a game.
· Discover something you both enjoy together. Not, “I’ll do this because you like it”, but something you BOTH really like. You may have to try something new to do this.
· Take a nap together. Yes, really. This is not a euphemism for something more active in the bedroom J
·  Do something that requires physical exertion. Bike riding, hiking, taking your dog for a walk, you get the idea. Moving physically then coming to that point you sit down and look at each other and say, “that felt good.”
Be creative. Do something different. Like not doing anything at all. The point is to do something TOGETHER that relieves the stress of life.
Do you take time to relax together? 
When is the last time you had a really good 
belly laugh with your spouse? 
Is there something you can do this week to help you both relax?


About Angela D. Meyer

Angela D. Meyer writes fiction that showcases God’s ability to redeem and restore the brokenness in our lives. She is the author of This Side of Yesterday, The Jukebox Cafe (a part of Hope is Born: A Mosaic Christmas Anthology) and the Applewood Hill series. Angela is a member of American Christian Fiction Authors and has served on the leadership team of her local writers’ group, Wordsowers. Angela currently lives in NE with her husband. They have two children, both of whom they homeschooled and graduated. Lucy, a green eyed, orange tabby, who loves popcorn rounds out their family. Angela enjoys sunrises and sunsets, the ocean when she gets a chance to visit, and hopes to ride in a hot air balloon someday.

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