Ten Ways to Show Appreciation for Your Partner’s Efforts
In this article, we’ll explore the ten ways to show appreciation for your partner’s efforts and pragmatically express your love.
1. Verbal Affirmation.
Choose moments with your partner, look into their eyes, and lovingly tell them what their efforts mean. Let sincerity ring in each word so they feel the warmth of love in your voice, and the strength to continue in the marital journey. It is abusive to never express and affirm your love!
2. Quality Time.
In a busy world, it’s easy to forget your loved one. Create spaces to unplug, listen with focus given only to them, and invent pleasurable times together, however small. Whether it’s a date night or a weekend getaway, make time for each other.
3. Acts of Service.
Lovingly lighten each other’s load. Through small deeds done without being asked, show your love and affection to your partner.
4. Written Notes.
Words can outlive a moment. Capture your feelings for them on paper and leave them as surprises to discover. Simple notes may become treasures kept and re-read to remember they have a place in your heart.
5. Gifts.
Thoughtful gifts don’t just gather dust – they say “I listened, I care, I want to see you smile.” Find what sparks joy for your loved one and present it regularly to watch their eyes light up with joy.
6. Support.
A partnership is giving strength when the other has none left. Celebrate each win together, and in times of struggle stand beside them as shelter from the storm. Your steady faith in them will help bear them through all the ups and downs.
7. Quality Touch.
Our bodies know languages that words cannot say. With touch, express the wordless ways you find comfort in being close. Casual moments of contact can speak volumes of the bond you share. Physical touch releases oxytocin, the love hormone, which strengthens your bond and shows your partner that you care.
8. Help with Chores.
Lending helping hands with chores to show them their rest and dreams are as important as your own. Teamwork makes any task lighter.
9. Surprises.
Keep the magic alive with surprises. Surprise them with fun, thoughtful gestures, with passion and care. Surprises say “I was thinking of only you in this moment and wanted to bring you joy.”
10. Gratitude.
Say thanks for all they are to you each day, not just grand gestures but small kindnesses. Gratitude is the simplest love language – so speak it with your eyes, smile, touch, and heart.
Showing appreciation is a powerful way to build a stronger relationship and marriage, so take the time to show your partner that you value and appreciate their efforts.
One of the greatest elements of the foundation of our relationship and marriage was prayers. Oh yes, we prayed. There were no mobile phones in those days, but it was made possible because we attended the same college! We prayed like our lives depended on it, and yes, our lives depended on it!
Today, you have phones and other gadgets, so distance should not even be an issue for you in praying together.
Why should you pray? The devil is on the prowl, and you cannot afford to play. A person who does not pray will eventually become a prey.
Here are a few tips that will help you build a strong prayer life in your relationship or marriage:
1. Prioritize it
The first thing in the morning is not checking your phone. The first thing is to worship and pray to your maker. If you are single in a relationship, you and your lover can have a fixed time and wake up one another via calls regardless of your location. If you are already married, it is even much better. I know some couples wake up at different times and pray separately.
That is okay, but ensure you still find other times when you pray together. Carve out some quality time to pray together and create that special connection. It’s about opening up, being real, and bringing God into your relationship.
2. Add Bible Juice.
God’s word is life! Sprinkle some relevant scriptures into your prayer times to add some extra spice. Let your prayers be Bible-based, and make sure you have a word to back up your request like a lawyer would do in court. This will encourage you as partners to dig into God’s word to find relevant scriptures for your prayers.
3. Keep It Real and Vulnerable.
No need to “form” for God! Prayer is all about being raw and open with God and your partner. It’s a safe space to share your deepest dreams, struggles, and flaws. Embrace that authenticity, yo! Being vulnerable in prayer creates an environment for you and your partner to grow together. Realness breeds a solid connection, and prayer is the perfect platform for that.
4. Make it a Habit
Consistency is the key. The devil fears consistency, and that is why he fights it. Do everything possible to maintain consistency in the timing and the place where you pray. Systemize your prayer times, and you will see God bring systems and structures into your life and finances.
Today, I want to talk about something that many of us can relate to: in-law relationships. Whether you’re married or in a long-term committed relationship, getting along with your partner’s family can sometimes feel like a tricky dance. But fear not, because I’m here to share some tips on how to navigate these relationships with grace.
First and foremost, it’s important to approach your in-laws with an open mind and a genuine willingness to build a relationship. Remember, they are an important part of your partner’s life, and by extension, your life too. Try to find common ground and shared interests to bond over. Maybe you both love gardening or enjoy watching the same TV shows – use these similarities as a starting point for conversation and connection.
Another key aspect of maintaining a positive relationship with your in-laws is showing them respect and kindness. Treat them how you would like to be treated, and always be mindful of their feelings. This means being considerate of their opinions and avoiding unnecessary conflicts. Remember, it’s not about winning arguments or proving a point, but rather fostering a loving and harmonious environment.
Communication is key in any relationship, and in-law relationships are no exception. Be open and honest in your communication, but also practice active listening. Take the time to truly understand their perspective and try to find compromises when differences arise. By establishing clear and respectful communication channels, you will build trust and understanding over time.
Now, let’s address those challenging moments that are bound to happen. We all have our own unique personalities, and clashes can occur even with the best intentions. When conflicts arise, it’s important to approach them with empathy and a desire to find resolution. Instead of holding grudges or allowing resentment to build, address the issue calmly and respectfully. Remember, it’s not about winning, but finding a compromise that works for everyone involved.
In the Bible, we can find examples of individuals who had mother-in-law relationships. One such example is Ruth and Naomi. In the book of Ruth, Ruth’s husband passes away, leaving her and her mother-in-law, Naomi, alone. Despite the challenges they faced, Ruth showed incredible loyalty and love towards her mother-in-law.
Ruth’s devotion to her mother-in-law is a beautiful example of how we can navigate in-law relationships with grace, love, and loyalty.
Lastly, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Nurturing in-law relationships requires effort and patience, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of your own well-being. Set healthy boundaries when needed and prioritize self-care. Remember that it’s okay to take breaks and step back if things become overwhelming.
In conclusion, navigating in-law relationships with grace is all about approaching them with an open heart, respect, and effective communication. Remember that building these relationships takes time and effort from both sides. By fostering understanding, empathy, and kindness, you’ll create a harmonious and loving environment for everyone involved.
So, my dear readers, let’s go out there and embrace our in-laws with open arms. With a little bit of grace and a whole lot of love, we can build meaningful and fulfilling relationships that enrich our lives.
One of the ways to avoid rancour in relationships and marriage is to budget. Not just a budget, but a budget that honors God.
As Christians, we are called to be good stewards of our resources, including our finances. Creating a budget that honors God requires us to prioritize our spending, live within our means, and trust in His provision.
In this devotional, we will explore practical steps to create a budget that aligns with biblical principles and honors God.
Step 1: Identify Your Income
Start by calculating your total monthly income from all sources, including your job, investments, and any side hustles. This will give you a clear picture of how much money you have coming in each month.
Step 2: Categorize Your Expenses
Next, categorize your expenses into needs, wants, and giving. Needs include essential expenses like rent/mortgage, utilities, food, and transportation. Wants include discretionary expenses like entertainment, hobbies, and travel. Giving includes your tithe (10% of your income) and any other charitable donations.
Step 3: Prioritize Your Spending
Prioritize your spending based on biblical principles. Here are some guidelines to consider.
Give first: Set aside your tithe and any other charitable donations as soon as you receive your income. “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7
Meet your needs: Ensure you have enough money for essential expenses like rent/mortgage, utilities, food, and transportation.
Save for the future: Set aside a portion of your income for long-term savings and investments.
Live within your means: Avoid overspending and debt by living within your means.
Step 4: Create a Budget Plan
Using the 50/30/20 rule as a guideline, allocate your income into the following categories.
50% for needs (essential expenses)
30% for wants (discretionary expenses)
20% for giving and savings (tithe, charitable donations, and long-term savings)
Step 5: Monitor and Adjust
Regularly monitor your spending and adjust your budget as needed. Consider using a budgeting app or spreadsheet to track your expenses and stay on top of your finances
Forgiveness is one special gift we have graciously received from God. God instructs us to forgive ourselves and also extend forgiveness to others who offend us. Let’s see the dictionary meaning of forgiveness. I believe understanding what forgiveness is will help us in forgiving others. Psychologists generally define forgiveness as a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance towards a person who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness.
This morning, we will look at 10 benefits of forgiveness in marriage.
Emotional Healing: Forgiveness and not holding onto past hurts and resentment heal emotions, promoting a healthy mindset and helping us move forward in marriage.
Promotes Healthy Communication: Couples are better able to communicate freely and openly, leading them to be more vulnerable with each other. Resentment blocks communication channels.
Improves Intimacy: Forgiveness breeds more intimacy, while unforgiveness breeds resentment, strife, grudges, and bitterness, all of which are intimacy blockers.
Better Understanding: There is better understanding when couples forgive, knowing that they are not perfect and are subject to making mistakes and hurting their spouse.
Resilience: Forgiveness strengthens the bond between couples. When forgiveness is genuine, their commitment to each other deepens, and they are able to face any challenges in the future.
Better Atmosphere: Forgiveness creates a loving atmosphere where unity and joy are present, and there’s no animosity and strife.
Marital Fulfillment: Forgiveness gives a sense of fulfillment in marriage where you feel loved and not judged.
Reduces Stress and Tension: Forgiveness will reduce the tension and stress caused by unforgiveness. Couples will enjoy a happier, freer, and more loving marriage.
Children are known to be better, healthier, smarter, and more emotionally stable when parents don’t have resentment towards each other.
Increases Empathy: Forgiveness helps couples to see things better from each other’s perspective and understand one another better, embracing their differences.
Overall, forgiveness helps couples live better, achieve more results as couples, and enables the Holy Spirit to work better in their midst.
Let’s see what the Bible says about forgiveness:
Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
God will strengthen us to walk in forgiveness in Jesus’ mighty name.
