That’s a sign that should be posted on the front door of every married couple’s home . . . and never removed. Every marriage is a work in progress and must be worked on every day. Sadly, many marriages look like a run down, unkempt house. How did that house that once was fresh and new become one with windows broken, shingles missing, shutters banging against the wall, and many other signs of neglect and disrepair? It all started with a little neglect here and a little carelessness there. And so it is with marriage. How does that marriage which began with much fanfare and perhaps extravagance become like a broken down house?
- You take each other for granted.
- You stop talking to each other, face-to-face, like you did when you were dating; the terms of endearment are few.
- You let the children take priority over your marriage relationship.
- You permit the deception of busyness to create unhealthy separation between you.
- You do not go to bed at the same time. (Understanding that work schedules can be a deterrent)
- You spend more time with social media than socializing with your spouse.
- You stop taking care of yourself. Remember how you tried to look good for a date? Why not now? You let yourself go physically, spiritually and mentally.
- You expect to be served rather than serving each other.
- You have not used the phrases “I’m sorry” and/or “Please forgive me” in a long, long time.
- You haven’t held hands in a long time.
- You live like a victim instead of a victor in Christ.
- Your kisses are more pecks than “dating specials”!
So, how do you fix a run-down house? One room or area at a time. If you are hearing the shutter knocking against the walls of your marriage, humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and your spouse and start in one area at a time. You don’t repair a house overnight. Be proactive instead of inactive. Put the “Work in Progress” sign back up and by God’s grace, rebuild your marriage. (A good place to start is reading Ephesians 4:18-6:18 to each other.)
From A Pastor's Heart 