“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Matt 19:6, NIV2)

“Joined together!” May no one ever separate them, not even their own children!

How easy it is to be distracted when we have toddlers. They are always crawling, running, needing our attention at all times. “Don’t touch the stove!” “Don’t write on the wall!!” “Don’t touch the dog poop!” No wonder we are exhausted at the end of the day. We need some well-deserved rest.

Husbands, take your wife to a fancy restaurant. Taco Bell qualifies, don’t you think? Romance your beloved wife and make her feel special. Another day, give your wife some rest. Tell her: “I will take care of our children. Take some time off!” Your wife will be astonished. She may say: “Do you even know how to take care of them?” Don’t take it to heart. She is the one who generally spends the most time with them. Just smile and say, “Trust me. They will enjoy our time together, as long as you don’t try to bake cookies.”

When my wife had to go back to her part-time job, I became the cook of the family. As soon as I came back from work, I would take my youngest one on one arm, the older one generally would hold one of my legs as I started to cook. It was difficult to do so, but at the same time we laughed quite a bit, and when my wife returned home, she felt relief. She could relax a bit from her very demanding day. After all we are here for one another. That’s what marriage is about!

Be the romantic one. Don’t let the frustrations at work hinder you from being the best spouse possible.

Both my children are adults now, and they turned out beautifully. They are both in love with our Master Jesus, and they hunger for His presence. I give my carrying, patient wife full credit for this, for she was always there for them, even now.

Have you seen that latest new restaurant in town? Why not invite your spouse to a relaxing evening?

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Marriage Bliss” devotional series, please click here.)