Christmas in July… Hope, Peace, & Joy in your marriage
We're sure you have heard all about the Christmas in July sales and events. So why leave marriage out of the equation?
Do you think about HOPE, PEACE, & JOY in your marriage? Do you only think about them or plan for them in December…Why not all year?
Cultivate HOPE in your marriage by thinking positive about your spouse. - Phil 4:8, "...Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things worthy of praise."
What is one thing you have seen him or her do for you lately? Notice the little things often.
Did you know that couples who can manage little issues or concerns before they become bigger are more satisfied in their marriages?
Hope is being researched & documented at University of Oklahoma. "Hope helps you pursue the future you desire" according to Chan Hellman, and this is Good News for marriages & relationships.
Invoke PEACE in your marriage by using the James 1:19 verse. “Understand this dear brothers and sisters (husbands and wives): You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” Jesus came to bring Peace on Earth and that is what we think about in December so why not all year?
How can you bring peace into your marriage if an argument happens? Listen well and be slow to get angry.
How can you be a peacemaker when stress is taking over? Helping each other relieve stress by talking together or a create a healthy outlet of exercise or creativity.
Share JOY in your marriage! There is a study across cultures globally that has found that human flourishing can be measured! The researchers at Baylor & Harvard have found what it looks like when humans thrive and when they don't.
Joy is often a feeling that comes when a person is thriving or flourishing and when you feel that in marriage, it is worth celebrating! The study was just released and you can read more here.
Faith communities "cultivate something essential to human thriving...and religious participation emerged as one of the strongest predictors of overall well-being,"
Younger adults, ages 18-24, are struggling and 'report lower wellbeing than older adults'. They are in need of encouragement & support to find a faith community and a spouse where they can grow closer to God and each other for a lifetime.
If you’re looking for a marriage coach or mentor to help keep your marriage strong and moving forward, or even navigate challenges together as a team, reach out to one of our trusted marriage coaches for more information.
Your spouse is a gift We think about gift giving in December and at Christmas so why not give your spouse a little extra gift before the month ends? How about a small gift of gratitude every month.
Are you remembering to take the #VAmarriagechallenge regularly? Click Now.
Grow together - find a community, small group, or event to attend
Learn together - take an online assessment and talk to each other or a coach to dive deeper into your strength & growth areas
Have Fun - make time for a fun day date or date night. Get into a regular rhythm.
Do you know someone recently engaged or married? Give them a gift of a premarital "Adventure Awaits" workshop in Richmond. (use the code FLASH for half off registration)
Are you a blended family in the Chesapeake area? Give the gift of a BBQ coming up on August 1st
In the Staunton area? Give a gift of the registration for you and your spouse at the Couples Retreat on 8/15.
A gift of Colonial Williamsburg in November and a Weekend away... use group discount code VAMarriages when you register for the Family Life Weekend to Remember event.