15 Ways We Keep the Spark Alive

Inside: We expect the spark to stay alive in our relationship if we sit back and put no effort into it. This union needs action. Tips to keep the spark alive!

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I like the idea of a garden. Who doesn’t like the thought of fresh produce out of your own yard?

In the spring, I pour over seed magazines. I draw out my garden plot on graphing paper and can’t wait till the UPS driver delivers my seeds.

Once the weather cooperates and the temperature gets right for working in the dirt, I’m out there. My husband uses our rototiller in my planting areas and I plant all my seeds.

The first few weeks, I’m excited so I spend time in the dirt each day.

Over time, the hot weather or bugs start to keep me from placing a foot in my garden.

If we go away for an extended weekend, the weeds overtake the garden. By this time, I might try and weed, but usually, I just give up.

It’s too much work.

I vow to myself that this is my last year. Next year I’ll just go to the Farmer’s Market and get veggies.

At the end of the season, I do get vegetables out of my garden. They aren’t great vegetables because they definitely show how little love I gave them during the growing season.

Working Your Marriage

Gardening is a lot like marriage.

This year we are celebrating 18 years of marriage, but we’ve been together for 24 years.

In the beginning, the excitement over a new relationship trumped everything else. It was just exhilarating and our worlds revolved around each other.

Then responsibilities increased, kids happened and soon our worlds involved more than just us.

Now it’s easy to put our relationship at the bottom of the list. We both have lots of work to do, kids and to-do lists.

We are both tired at the end of most days. Finding time alone with five kids is sometimes an impossible feat.

Here’s what I’ve come to realize, this relationship is the most important connection outside of the relationship with God.

Intimacy doesn’t happen without intentional action, not with God or my husband. #workforit #Marriage #keepthesparkalive Share on X

In the midst of all our doing, what’s keeping us together?

How are we keeping the spark alive?

15 Ways to Keep the Passion Alive

1. Share Life- the big things and the little things.
2. Remember the “beginning times,” the butterflies and the excitement.
3. Hold hands
4. Look your best for your spouse.
5. Give little gifts of love. It doesn’t mean spending money. (My husband travels for work so I send cards in his bag and put clean sheets on the bed when he returns so he can enjoy a freshly made bed.)
6. Stand by each other. Fight for each other.
7. Hug and kiss your spouse. Public displays can have an impact on your spouse too.
8. Have regular date nights.
9. Spend time doing your spouse’s hobby. (My husband hunts, so I have gone in the tree stand, camo and all in order to spend time with him).
10. Send texts during the day.
11. Encourage your spouse.
12. Compliment your spouse.
13. Regular bedroom activity. Wink Wink.
14. Nurture each other’s faith. Pray together.
15. Be your spouse’s top cheerleader. Life is hard. Be the hands and feet of Jesus to your spouse.

Let’s Get to Work

We can’t expect the spark to stay alive in our relationship if we sit back and put no effort into it.

This union needs nurturing and protection.

When the difficult seasons come, we need to be intentional and make it a priority.

It won’t grow unless we take action. If we put in the time now, the fruit of our labor will show in the end.

I want to keep this spark alive,  instead of just smoldering and dying out.

What ways do you keep the spark alive in your marriage?

The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of GodSacred Marriage: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy?Christian Marriage: From Basic Principles to Tranformed RelationshipsYou and Me Forever: Marriage in Light of Eternity52 Uncommon Dates: A Couple’s Adventure Guide for Praying, Playing, and Staying TogetherThe Mingling of Souls: God’s Design for Love, Marriage, Sex, and Redemption#Staymarried: A Couples Devotional: 30-Minute Weekly Devotions to Grow In Faith And Joy from I Do to Ever After