Little things that matter in a successful marriage

Marriage is teamwork; that is, it requires the couple to work together. Every marriage has its own challenges. The couple must consciously work at surmounting the challenge of their marriage, and make it work. It is the little effort each partner makes, or the little things each other does for the other  every day that foster good marital relationship.

The following are the little things that make the marriage relationship work:

    1.  Considerate: Husband and wife should be considerate of each other’s feelings, needs, and sensibilities. Don’t do to your spouse what you consider offensive.      
 2.  Concern: One of the most dangerous signs in a marriage is when a spouse stops showing concern for the other. As a   wife or husband, you must always show concern for the needs and well being of your partner.    
 3.   Communication: communication between the partners is the lifebloodof any relationship. Nothing must hinder the free flow of communication between the couple. 
4.   Courtesy: as a couple, you must be very courteous when talking to each other. Refrain from being rude, offensive, or disrespectful to each other.  
 5.    Availability: You must make yourself available for your spouse as much possible. Availability entails having listening ears, being a shoulder to cry on, sharing laughter, having mealtimes together, etc. these foster friendship in marriage.      
 6.    Compliment: don’t see all that your spouse does for you as normal, his responsibility, or your right.      Compliment him even for the little effort he puts into what he does.

                 7.    Gifts: You should learn to give gifts to each other. When you see anything your partner likes while you are shopping, buy it for him if it’s within your means. Always surprise your spouse when he least expects it.

                 8.    Contact: never lose contact with your partner; never fail to communicate with him. Always stays in touch with him no matter how busy you may be. Make out time even when your job is very demanding, to give him/her a quick call, send him an SMS, or have lunch with him if your office is close to his/her house is by the corner.

               9.   Assistant: Assist your wife at home. No woman is superhuman. She shouldn’t be left to do all the domestic chores. Surprise her occasionally by helping out with some chores.

             10.     Prayer: Pray together and pray individually for each other’s specific needs.

               11.     Respect: Remember that respect is reciprocal. Respect each other, and let the respect flow to your in-laws as well.

              12.   Income: Contribute to the family income. It is a know fact that God has made the husband to be the breadwinner of the family, but the wife should support him in his role by contributing her little quota to the family income. When you do this as a wife, you will reduce the burden of your husband, especially at this time of global economic recession.

             13.   Protection: The husband is to protect his wife against physical and emotional assaults from outside. The wife should do likewise.

           14.   Apology: learn to apologize to your spouse when you offend him/her. Always say, “I’m sorry,” and truly mean it.