25 Lessons Learned

From 25 Years

 

1.) Without God, nothing will go right

            If you don’t put God first, how happy do you expect to be?

 

2.) Men and women need different things

            Recognize your God-given role.  Recognize your mate’s God-given needs.

 

3.) Study your spouse

            Think about the special individual you married.  What floats their boat?

 

4.)You live with the spouse you build

            Don’t tear down your spouse and expect to live with a built-up person.

 

5.) Get outside help

            We all need the objectivity and wisdom of outside discipling.

 

6.) Your sins can be forgiven, but excuses cannot

            Use Bible words to describe your weaknesses.  Ask and give forgiveness.

           

7.) Sometimes, you just need to lighten up!

            Not every battle is armageddon.  We are both human.  Live with it.

 

8.) It’s not always a good time to talk

            Fatigue, stress and hunger do not usually make people more logical or loving

 

9.) Watch your stupid mouth

            The effects of one brief, hurtful word can last a long, long time.

 

10.) Guard a weekly talk time

            Having a regular, rested, rational planning time will minimize explosions.

 

11.) Being united is more important than being right

            It is better to do something dumb together than to be right in a doghouse.

 

12.) “I messages” are sweeter than “you messages”

            Requests for help get better results than accusations do.

 

13.) When in crisis, somebody needs to be Jesus

            You can sit around waiting or you can follow the Golden Rule.

 

14.) Learn from your mistakes

            Insanity is continuing to do the same thing and expecting a different result.

 

15.) Dating is not just for singles

            He who does not plan some good times has chosen to have bad times.

 

16.) Keep your sense of humor.  You will need it.

            Learn to blow off tension and stress by laughing at just the right time.

 

17.) Keep expectations realistic

            We get very disappointed when we seek joy by attempting too much.

 

18.) Plan your passion

            Romance requires time, solitude and relaxation.  These don’t just happen.

 

19.) The smell of bathroom cleanser is erotic

            Helping your spouse around the house is a form of foreplay.

 

20.) Kids come after marriage

            He who sacrifices his marriage to save his children will lose them both.

 

21.) Ministry helps your marriage

            Seek first the kingdom and everything you need will roll your way.

 

22.) Cultivate common interests

            Someday they will probably be the only old geezer who will hang out with you.

 

23.) Cultivate separate interests

            Both of you need to be interesting and whole people when you’re not together.

           

24.) It’s good to be home

            Establish special family rituals, routines and memories.

 

25.) Thou shalt not kill

            Resist this familiar urge.  Who knows, they might just get better.