The Deep-Rooted Marriage: A 5-Day Reading PlanSample

Day 3: The Couple That Plays Together . . .

Most evenings, Lisa and I [Dan] walk our long driveway, which takes about fifteen minutes. (Like I said, it is long!) Our golden retriever, Otis, loves to come with us; if he could do cartwheels out of pure joy, he would. There is such delight when he runs free. And there is typically delight when Lisa and I are simply together walking—the kind that the psalmist described as “rivers of delight” from the Lord (Psalm 36:8). There is no agenda. It is just a time to share what’s going on for us, a time to know and be known.

In the mornings, we also usually share a cup of coffee together. Such a ritual often stirs up gratitude, as it reminds us that we are seen and chosen and that God delights in rhythms of repeated goodness. It’s why the simplest rituals can carry meaning; they establish a predictability that soothes, a structure that regulates a reliability that reassures.

Integrating more play into your relationship will require intentionality and might feel like a disruption at first. That is to be expected with anything new. Choose to prioritize it because you want to choose closeness with your partner.

When you do, you’ll be embracing a change agent: the intention to bless. In simple ways, you’ll take in the presence of your spouse with wonder, delight, and gratitude. In everyday moments, you’ll be saying “heaven, yes” to the beauty you can create together.

So start to consider what you can do together repeatedly. How could you have consistent experiences of connection, even in short windows of time?

• Here are some examples of rhythms and rituals:
• Sitting on the porch watching the sunset
• Doing a few yoga stretches
• Praying for each other
• Having a glass of wine before dinner

Ask yourself, What are a few ways we can begin to integrate a consistent ritual? What’s something that feels doable to start with? Remember, it can be incredibly simple, and there’s really no agenda. It is about simply being in the presence of one another.

It’s a ritual of presence. It communicates, You matter, and We matter. It says to your partner, I choose you. Let me remind you: I’m here with you.

Response: What simple ritual or moment of play can you introduce into your relationship this week to build connection and delight?

Prayer: Gracious Lord, help us to delight both in you and in each other today, we pray. Amen.