by Dennis and Barbara Rainey

Hebrews 3:13
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called Today, lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Some clever observer has described the way family members often drift apart as the seven stages of the married cold. The pattern can be illustrated by tracing the reaction of a husband to his wifes cold symptoms during seven years of marriage:

The first yearSugar Dumpling, Im worried about my baby girl. You have a bad sniffle, and theres no telling about these things with all this strep around. Im putting you in the hospital for a general checkup and rest.

Year twoListen, Darling, I dont like the sound of that cough. Ill bathe the kids and put them down. You just lie down while I get the car nice and warm.

Year threeFeeling a little punk are you, Hon? Maybe youd better lie down and rest. Ill bring you something to eat. Do we have any soup?

Year fourLook, Dear, be sensible. After you feed the kids and wash the dishes, youd better hit the sack.

Year fiveYou dont sound so good. Why dont you get yourself a couple of aspirin?

Year sixIf youd just gargle or something instead of sitting around barking like a seal, Id appreciate it!

Year sevenFor Petes sake, stop sneezing! What are you trying to do, give me pneumonia?

While we may smile at this imaginary degeneration of concern, its all too real in many marriage relationships. The pattern is in sharp contrast with our text, which calls for daily encouragement that keeps relationships warm and alive, rather than steady discouragement that can only harden hearts.

It is important for you to make this atmosphere of support and encouragement a foundation of your marriage. Marriage can rob your relationship of intimacy and excitement. Why not decide today to find a fresh way to encourage your spouse.

Prayer:

That the dailiness of family life and its increasing familiarity will serve to draw your family closer instead of leading to indifference.

Discuss: Do the ways you and your mate express concern for each others troubles differ now from when you were first married? Are some of these changes natural and appropriate? Do others foster isolation?

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