Give Grace Responsibly

This coming new year take the responsibility of being alert to your spouse’s need for grace. The best couples are noted for being concerned about meeting the needs of their spouse.

This is accomplished by administering grace to each other by both the content and tone of what is said. Content has to do with letting your spouse know in words that you care. This is done by showing how much you care and showing what you value about them.

It is very important to tell your spouse (more often than you think), how much you care about them. A woman especially needs affirmation. Don’t assume your spouse reads your mind. You refuel your vehicle regularly, the same is true when it comes to grace. Be generous to your spouse to keep your marriage alive.

Tone is how you speak. How you convey your words is as important as in what you say. Your tone must be caring and warm and should draw your spouse in, not put distance between you.

Listen to yourself, and pay attention to the content and tone you use. It would be helpful to put yourself in your spouse’s place and listen to yourself. This should be something you do on a regular basis. How does it make you feel if you are on the receiving end of the grace you’re extending? Is it grace?

Grace is a universal need. So it’s good to start observing your spouse. This may be more work for men to do, because a man is not often acutely aware of his spouse’s characteristics. But becoming aware is worth the effort. Does your spouse seem insecure, unhappy, or scared? Communication is a key and it’s your job to find out what your spouse’s needs are. Affirm and support in areas that you, by making an effort, can fix. Give grace tailored for your spouse, to improve your marriage and life together (My thoughts with Rescuing Your Love Life, pp. 77-79).

Sherry

P.S. Don’t know what I touched to cause the indentation.