We take courses in speech, debate, how to read, and how to write, but most of us have never been trained in how to listen.
October 5, 2017
One time, I asked Barbara, "Out of all the adventures and romantic times we've had together, what's been your favorite?" I have to tell you, we've had a ton of them all around the world. I was surprised by her answer. Do you know what she said? "Our honeymoon." Now, I know that's not true for some folks. But for us it was an all-time memory maker. I took weeks to plan a two-week honeymoon in the Colorado Rockies. We camped, hiked, explored the magnificent Rocky Mountains, fished, took tons of pictures of golden Aspen, and we stayed in a cabin next to a roaring river. One final thought. Maybe your marriage could use some adventure -- just some time for the two of you to sit and talk and share your thoughts and dreams with one another. It may not be a second honeymoon, but you can be creative. Go for it! I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real (adventurous) FamilyLife.
September 29, 2017
You think that's bad, I know of one stockbroker husband who had a ticker tape machine installed in his bedroom and kept it running, 24 - 7. He may have been able to watch the Dow Jones go up, but my guess is that the market for romance hit an all-time low. Of course, wives can be guilty of de-romanticizing the bedroom, too. Mounds of laudry that need to be washed or folded or ironed are sure killers of romance. I know one man whose wife had so many African violets in their bedroon, he was afraid he was going to die in an avalanche of plants one night! One final thought. Your bedroom needs to be a private, secure, romantic hideaway, not a place where husbands rebuild motorcycles or the kids gather to play games at midnight. I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's very Real FamilyLife.
September 28, 2017
As Barbara and I started having children, and as we began to experience more of the distractions and troubles that face a family, we discovered what Solomon calls the "little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, while our vineyards are still in blossom," things like financial pressures, poor health, and teenagers who won't go to bed. But the biggest threats to romance in marriage include such things as wrong priorities, passivity, selfishness, unresolved conflict, unrealistic expectations, and having a critical spirit. But the deadliest romance-robbing fox is indifference, having an "I don't care" kind of attitude. One final thought. If the excitement is gone in out of your marriage and you're not sure why, you and your spouse need to just sit down and have a talk. It may not be fun, but together the two of you can start doing some "fox hunting." I'm Dennis Rainey, and that's Real FamilyLife.
September 27, 2017