You may have heard virtually the law firm in Chicago that put up a billboard saying, "Life is brusque. Get a divorce."

Then at that place was the survey of 3,000 women past Woman's Day magazine and AOL.com. According to it, 44 percent said they'd marry their husbands again, while 36 percent answered, "No," and twenty percentage were unsure.

Let's face up it: We live in an age of discontentment. We are bombarded with ads and interviews telling us that nosotros deserve a new car, a better vacation, a perfect torso … a flawless mate.

When I look at pictures from my wedding to my married man, Jim, I see friends and relatives whose lives have been shattered past divorce. I've also heard stories of couples who had been married thirty years, forty years, and more, only to find themselves apart at the stop of their lives.

Jim and I want our marriage, like those of our parents, to last a lifetime. That's why we take intentional steps to cultivate our relationship.

Hither are 10 ways that nosotros protect our wedlock. I hope that yous will glean an idea or 2 that will enrich your relationship with your spouse and make your spousal relationship go the distance:

1. Spend regular time enjoying life with your spouse. My husband loves to tinker with old cars. He'due south now turning a 1941 Chevrolet into a hot rod. In case you are car-illiterate similar me, that ways he's fixing up an old car with new parts. I love to look at cute hot rods, merely honestly, I couldn't care less virtually motors, pistons, and gears. Merely because I love Jim, I go with him to auto club meetings and antiquarian car shows. And I've met so many wonderful people.

Now, my idea of fun is a writing conference—sitting in a ballroom learning about new ways to capture ideas. Jim couldn't intendance less about writing conferences, only he's joined me at many conference banquets and welcomed my writer friends into our domicile. He's commonly the kickoff person to read whatever I write, and he gives me his honest opinion.

Over the years, Jim and I accept too gone on lots of fun getaways together. We've driven through the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains, sailed on area lakes, and watched hot air balloons fill the morning sky. Recently, we went to a national park loftier in the Ozark Mountains—away from computers, jail cell phones, and fifty-fifty grocery stores.

2. Add a little fun to your human relationship. No affair how long you've been married, notes in lunch boxes, tucked in pieces of luggage, or placed under the visor of the automobile are ever appreciated. And in this technological age, it'southward then easy to transport an e-mail or text message to tell your spouse of your dearest.

If I make a lunch for Jim to take to the office, I'll oft tuck a note inside a napkin or even in a purse of chips. And many times he'll leave a message on my answering machine at work—just to permit me know how much he loves me.

Besides, yous may desire to send your spouse on a scavenger hunt. It could end at a romantic eatery where you volition be waiting.

three. Thank God daily for your mate—imperfections and all. When Jim shows me his love despite my crankiness and selfishness, he models the heart of Christ. If he'southward a fiddling short-tempered at the stop of a long day, I have the opportunity to offer him agreement instead of judgment.

Romans five:8 says, "Just God shows his love for us, in that while we were nevertheless sinners, Christ died for u.s.." A perfect Savior died on the cross for sinful me and for my sinful spouse. Wedlock is fabricated upwards of ii imperfect people who are being conformed daily to the image of Christ through life's struggles.

4. Inquire your spouse how you can pray for him/her during the 24-hour interval. Jim and I begin and end each day with prayer. Before he heads off to the office in the morning, he'll hold my mitt and we'll ask for God's guidance and blessing for the day—for u.s. and for our entire family. Often nosotros'll email or phone call each other during the day to ask for prayer for a particular situation.

When I was a little girl, I remember walking into my parents' bedroom when they were kneeling side-by-side in prayer. Somehow that moving-picture show was etched in my mind, and I tin can vividly meet it today. Jim and I at present follow their example and end our day on our knees.

(FamilyLife has a practical prayer card guides that tin help you lift up your hubby or wife before the Lord.)

5. Share temptations with your spouse. Proverbs xvi:18 reminds u.s.a. of this truth, "Pride goes earlier destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Jim and I have institute that being honest about the temptations we face helps keep us from stumbling.

Years ago, Jim's work required him to travel out of town. He would tell me virtually flirtatious women and invitations to grab a drink at the bar. He'd share with me how he often felt alone when he'd choose a quiet dark in his hotel room instead of an evening out with colleagues. I'chiliad proud of Jim for his integrity—he knows he's non immune to temptation.

I remember when I shared with Jim that I didn't desire to cultivate a friendship with a particular couple. I told him I thought the husband was very attractive, and I didn't want to get to know him well. Jim understood. I know I'm not immune to temptation.

half dozen. Regularly remember why you married your spouse. What character qualities drew y'all to your mate? Write a love letter reminding your spouse why you married him/her and express your lifelong commitment. You lot may desire to share this letter over a candlelit dinner.

I was attracted to my husband because he was a lot of fun. I also love Jim considering of his love for the Lord and our family unit. He'southward a man who sacrifices for others and genuinely cares for people. And he makes me express mirth!

7. Look challenges in life, and call back that nosotros're non in heaven … yet. When I got married more than than 3 decades ago, I knew in my head that life would non be perfect. But somehow my heart thought that life would exist like Cinderella going to the ball. Incorrect!

I didn't expect premature children, miscarriages, cancer, disobedient children, aging parents, financial stress, car problems, and bath leaks. But, after more thirty years of spousal relationship, I now realize that life certainly has its ups and downs.

God wants our marriage to model trust in Him—regardless of life's circumstances

viii. Don't go into marriage thinking it's a 50/l partnership. If you got upwards with the baby last night, it doesn't mean that your spouse must get up with the infant this night. In a Christ-centered matrimony, you and your spouse are ane every bit you serve each other. Marriage is 100/100, not l/fifty.

I realize at that place are times when Jim needs to relax and watch a baseball or football game game while I'm cleaning the house. And sometimes he'll gear up dinner while I'grand on the computer. We don't keep score of who does what. We're partners in marriage and in life who are all the same learning to exist more concerned about i another than ourselves.

ix. Don't say everything you lot think. I'yard still learning this 1.

Last Sabbatum, Jim wanted to take a nap at two p.grand. I wanted to say, "You can't lie down. The grandkids are here [ages 4, ii, and 6 months], and I need help!" Only somehow I stopped myself, and instead of making a rude, enervating annotate, I asked, "Are you lot okay?" It ended up that his back hurt from early forenoon yard work, and he just needed a lilliputian rest.

ten. Sign a marriage covenant. Spousal relationship is more than a contract; it's a covenant—a vow between one human being and one woman with God for a lifetime (Matthew 19:6).

Create a reminder of your lifetime commitment to your mate. This could exist as simple as dating and signing a sentence such as: "I, __________ (name), hope to be ________________'southward (spouse's name) husband/wife for the remainder of my life." To create a family heirloom, frame the signed statements with a wedding ceremony picture.

A signed matrimony covenant could also be as elaborate equally a custom-fabricated certificate that includes your actual hymeneals vows and the signatures of witnesses. You could even have a special signing ceremony for close friends and family at home or at church.

The important matter is to create a tangible style to recollect your sacred promise of unwavering commitment. My husband and I have a signed marriage covenant that was witnessed by our children. It hangs above our bed and is ane of our well-nigh prized possessions.

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