Life has a way of pushing so many “necessary” things at us that scream for our time. It’s easy to take on more than we should —more than it’s healthy. We’ve learned (the hard way) that just because we can do something, it doesn’t mean we should do it. Sometimes we can get so caught up in what we think is important that we overlook that, which truly IS important; and that is investing in our marriage relationship and family life. Unfortunately: “While juggling our busy lives, it’s all too easy to let our marriages fall into the background. We would never say our marriages weren’t important—and yet we act as though they’re not.” (Ellyn Sanna) An important fact that is consistently brought to the forefront; “experts” say that the first 5 minutes after a spouse comes home often sets the stage for how the rest of the evening will go. So… no matter how busy we are when one of us walks in the door we do our best to stop and embrace our spouse back into our home. It’s a priority for all of us. Our spouse is a and should be a priority for us. After all, why did we get married if we don’t prioritize each other? We need to realize that we could work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but never get everything done in our lives that seems important for us to do. The demands are continual! But we must realize that if our marriage relationship isn’t a good one —then we’re neglecting our most important mission. We are to honor the vows we made to each other and to God to “love, honor, and cherish” each other for the rest of our lives. How is it possible to do this when we have so many things requiring our time, “encircling” and bidding for our attention? We may start by carefully reviewing our separate schedules and BUILD IN TIME for each other. Effective time management, forcing yourselves to say no to extra demands from outside the family, and generally not taking on any activity that is not absolutely essential. This takes intentionality and we must continually keep asking the Lord how we can make our marriage relationship a priority. This is something we know He would want us to do. Priority of Spouse ” Your spouse needs to come to the top of your priority list. You need to give your spouse priority access to your time —instead of just the leftovers. Priority time for your spouse means occasional date nights and getaway weekends. But it also means smaller time slots, such as having dinner together, and taking a brief walk. It can mean spending time talking, playing a game, or watching a favorite program together.” Needs that make us busy Yes, children have needs. And sometimes, we have to neglect each other here and there, when certain emergencies and health needs demand it. But we need to keep the bigger picture in constant view of growing a healthy marriage for each other AND for our children. We didn’t marry our children. We married our spouse and for that reason, he or she should continually be a priority to us. It’s important to NOT allow the maintenance of our homes and the ever-expanding demands of our children to be the centrepieces of our lives together. They are a priority, yes, but not the centre. “Let nothing come between you and your spouse—not your house, not your pride, not your friends, not your work, not your kids. You and your spouse are one. The children will be there, of course. They are part of you; and you are responsible for them. But there is no relationship on earth like the marriage relationship. God uses it to model the church (see Ephesians 5:22-33). Nurture your relationship with your spouse so that it lasts the longest and means the most. (Donna Otto) “If you are always pushing your spouse aside for time with the children, you may want to consider just what you’re teaching your children. By the way you treat your spouse, are you modelling for your children how you hope they will treat their future spouses? Probably not. Spending time with your spouse not only draws the two of you closer together, but it also teaches your children that the marital relationship has to be our number one human relationship.” Please find the time. MAKE the time to show your spouse that he or she is more important to you than all the other things pressing in on you. Make little moments here and there, that you can spend together, special and meaningful. Even spending meaningful pockets of time together is certainly better than nothing!