Separate Money and Marriage
Several dear friends have shared with me lately how the flailing economy has negatively impacted them. We’ve listened intently, and done some sharing of my own. We’re all in the same boat. I don’t know of a single person who hasn’t been somewhat shaken by all that’s been going on in our country lately. And when individuals are shaken, marriages are shaken. Entire families are shaken.It’s time to get a grip and draw a line in the sand. Let’s not let our money situation wreak havoc on our marriage relationship! Our bank accounts will bounce back eventually, but broken marriages are hard to heal, and the ripple effects of divorce impact a family for generations.
Here’s just a few things you can do in order to keep the economy from dragging your marriage down with it:
- Rather than watch the doom-and-gloom news or spend the evening surfing the internet for financial reports, declare a “news fast” for one week (or longer). Spend that time sipping tea or hot cocoa together and rather than focusing your discussions on financial burdens, focus on the many blessings under your roof and in your life, particularly each other.
- Don’t let declining bank accounts cause your bedroom activities to decline with them. Sooth stress and tension by microwaving a bottle of lotion and giving each other a full body massage, and see where that leads…
- Designate a weekly Date Night if you don’t already, but don’t spend the money you normally would on fancy restaurants or pricey theaters. Pack a picnic dinner and enjoy the springtime weather together. Snuggle on the couch and watch one of your favorite old movies. Play a card or board game. Getting back to the basics can actually be GREAT for reinforcing relationships!
Perhaps this is the worst time in the history of your marriage. Perhaps you’re having to rely on God and each other like never before. I assure you, that’s okay. Lean on your husband. Let him lean on you. Let your kids know that in this uncertain economy, they can be certain that you’ll always have each other. Remind yourself daily that you can’t put a price tag on the value of a strong marriage & family.In the next 5-10 years, we’ll all look back on this stressful season of our lives. Some of us will look back with great pride. Others will look back with great regret. Which category will you fall into?
Wishing you great hope for the future,
Shannon
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Excerpted from The Sexually Confident Wife: Connecting with Your Husband Mind*Body*Heart*Spirit by Shannon Ethridge. Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved. Published by Random House Inc, New York, NY. Used by Permission. Not to be copied without Publisher’s prior written approval.