Be hospitable to one another. (1 Peter 4:9)

Many times in our marriage we come to a stage of taking each other for granted. Neither of us focus on the positive things about the other. So our home atmosphere turns into one of distance and boredom, particularly when children leave home for studies, careers or marriages.

Marriage is filled with challenges that make ever-increasing hospitality viral. We often tell couples that after children enter the picture, they will need intentional times of reconnecting with one another. We also often warn parents to prepare their marriage as their children approach teen years. These can be times of “divide and conquer” if Mom and Dad don’t guard their relational oneness.

Many couples on the other hand, are being challenged with the “empty nest” stage, and they need an increasing sense of warmth that comes through hospitality. Such couples need to take help on restoring an inviting, open relationship, by taking the following three steps:

1. KEEPING A JOURNAL OF GRATEFULNESS: take one month and keep a written record of how God blessed you through one another. Enter the date of how you were blessed, and how you showed appreciation to each other. This focus on blessings is to overcome critical attitudes, which will help you show appreciation for one another.
2. EXPRESSING PRIVATE PRAISE: we ask couples to focus on one another’s character strengths. During quiet reflective times, you are to move toward one another with touch and eye contact, then verbalize your appreciation and love for one another.
3. ASKING ABOUT NEEDS: we encourage couples to ask one another lovingly how they could be better helpmates to one another.

As a couple take these challenges seriously and you will be actively involved in helping other couples.

ACTION ASSIGNMENT
What steps can you take today to re-establish marital hospitality in your relationship?

PRAYER: Father, help us make our home one that reflects divine hospitality. In Jesus’ name, amen.