Church leaders have repeatedly taught that the main way Satan tries to destroy God’s kingdom, and the souls of men, is by destroying the family. Chewing on that great truth, it occurred to me that most often Satan tries to destroy the family by first destroying the husband wife relationship. If that is true, then it would seem that in order to save our families, we must have as the foremost focus in our family the blessing of our relationship with our spouse. But for many it can seem so natural to focus on children long before spouses.
Furthermore, it seems that having a strong relationship with our spouse is one of the most important things we can do for our children. David O. McKay taught that, “A father can do no greater thing for his children than to let them feel that he loves their mother.” What a gem of a quote! It got me thinking, as I love, and cherish my wife, what lesson will that teach my daughters about the kind of men they should seek? Likewise, as I am kind and good to my wife, what will that teach my sons about how to treat women? Surely the opposites are also true.
There are so many things we can do to bless or marriages. But here is just one thought. Strengthen healthy communication. When dating and first married, it is a time of getting to know each other. But as time goes on, communication can turn into problem solving and only talking about children and family needs. So often communication becomes like agenda items in a business meeting. Then after the kids have grown, there can seem like nothing left to talk about. We don’t want to become that couple that are silent in the restaurant.
So how about purposely putting aside the agenda, needs, and conflicts, and take time to get reacquainted. “But what are we going to talk about?” you ask. How about some questions to get reacquainted? Some of the best dates Tina and I have been on are when we have taken some questions and just talked. Here are some questions you could try:
1. If you were forced to leave the country with your family and never return, what other country would you choose to live in and why?
2. If you could choose to be famous, what would you want to be famous for?
A. Sports
B. Art
C. Music
D. Science
E. Politics
F. Other
3. “My most embarrassing moment was when ___________.”
4. If your house caught on fire and you could only save one non-living item, what would it be? Why?
5. What are the two biggest future events you are looking forward to in your life?
6. What are the two biggest events you have experienced so far?
7. If you could have a personal servant do any of the following things, which would you choose?
A. House cleaning
B. Chauffer the whole family
C. Cook
D. Secretary
E. Other
8. What is the strangest or most exotic food you have ever tried? What exotic or strange food do you think would be fun to try?
9. What is something that can always cheer you up?
10. If you knew you were going to die very soon, what would you want to say or write to your family?
11. “The most daring thing I have ever done was when _________.”
If nowadays you find it difficult to have conversations like those questions would bring out, try reading the following past blog post first.
Official Holidays & Observances This Week
May 16th - 22nd
Monday National Sea Monkey Day
Tuesday World Hypertension Day
Wednesday International Museum Day
Thursday Boys Club Day
Friday National Bike to Work Day
Saturday End of the World or Rapture Party Day
Sunday Neighbor Day
Furthermore, it seems that having a strong relationship with our spouse is one of the most important things we can do for our children. David O. McKay taught that, “A father can do no greater thing for his children than to let them feel that he loves their mother.” What a gem of a quote! It got me thinking, as I love, and cherish my wife, what lesson will that teach my daughters about the kind of men they should seek? Likewise, as I am kind and good to my wife, what will that teach my sons about how to treat women? Surely the opposites are also true.
There are so many things we can do to bless or marriages. But here is just one thought. Strengthen healthy communication. When dating and first married, it is a time of getting to know each other. But as time goes on, communication can turn into problem solving and only talking about children and family needs. So often communication becomes like agenda items in a business meeting. Then after the kids have grown, there can seem like nothing left to talk about. We don’t want to become that couple that are silent in the restaurant.
So how about purposely putting aside the agenda, needs, and conflicts, and take time to get reacquainted. “But what are we going to talk about?” you ask. How about some questions to get reacquainted? Some of the best dates Tina and I have been on are when we have taken some questions and just talked. Here are some questions you could try:
1. If you were forced to leave the country with your family and never return, what other country would you choose to live in and why?
2. If you could choose to be famous, what would you want to be famous for?
A. Sports
B. Art
C. Music
D. Science
E. Politics
F. Other
3. “My most embarrassing moment was when ___________.”
4. If your house caught on fire and you could only save one non-living item, what would it be? Why?
5. What are the two biggest future events you are looking forward to in your life?
6. What are the two biggest events you have experienced so far?
7. If you could have a personal servant do any of the following things, which would you choose?
A. House cleaning
B. Chauffer the whole family
C. Cook
D. Secretary
E. Other
8. What is the strangest or most exotic food you have ever tried? What exotic or strange food do you think would be fun to try?
9. What is something that can always cheer you up?
10. If you knew you were going to die very soon, what would you want to say or write to your family?
11. “The most daring thing I have ever done was when _________.”
If nowadays you find it difficult to have conversations like those questions would bring out, try reading the following past blog post first.
Official Holidays & Observances This Week
May 16th - 22nd
Monday National Sea Monkey Day
Tuesday World Hypertension Day
Wednesday International Museum Day
Thursday Boys Club Day
Friday National Bike to Work Day
Saturday End of the World or Rapture Party Day
Sunday Neighbor Day
RSS Feed
