activity / idea
Go out for dinner. What could make it pop? Bring her flowers. Pick a song to dance to in the park, sharing a pair of earbuds. Unveil something that reminds your spouse of one of your first dates.

suggested time range
1-2 hours

goal
Make physical affection a regular rhythm in your home.

activity / idea
Make it a goal to get your spouse laughing. Keep a hilarious anecdote in mind from your day, share a YouTube video, refer to an inside joke, look up a goofy joke and send it as a text.

suggested time range
5-10 minutes

goal
Remind your spouse you two still know how to have fun.

activity / idea
Examine your heart to see if there is anything you have not forgiven your spouse for. Ask God for the power to choose forgiveness whenever this arises in your mind. Remember about forgiveness:

• It is not excusing behavior.
• It is not without accountability.
• It chooses to bless rather than seek revenge.
• It chooses not to dwell upon or gossip about.

suggested time range
Repeat as often as necessary.

goal
Forgive your spouse as you have been forgiven, setting you both free.

activity / idea
What is the greatest drain (or strain) on your marriage right now? (Schedule? Kids? Media? Expectations? Out-of-control emotions? Perpetual anger? etc.) Decide on a single step you will take to leave yourself more “hydrated” for your spouse.

suggested time range
Once daily

goal
Isolate the extra weight or “empty calories” burdening your marriage, and make a definitive step to exchange it for something wiser, more loving, and more life-giving.

As you cool down, it’s time to reflect.

Read Ephesians 4:25-27, 29, 31-32:
“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

… Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

… Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Pray together, remember to stretch yourself this week for the sake of your spouse, and stay flexible with your growth:

Father, remind us constantly how much we’re forgiven. Let us forgive that way in our marriage. Keep us from words that corrupt each other.