The Rhythm of UsSample

Grace for the Journey

Thriving couples are not a select group of rare, extraordinary people. Ordinary people move toward a thriving marriage by choosing to practice extraordinary rhythms. These practices are available to all of us. As 2 Peter 1:3 tells us, “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.”

We can promise you this: They work when you ground the rhythms of your marriage in the truth of God’s Word and His desires for a thriving marriage. Practicing His ways will always lead us to a good place, a place we long to be.

Pray

Start each day with prayer. Stand in great Awe of the One who made you, loves you, and is always ready to help as you pursue the thriving life and marriage He has for you. Pray for His strength when you hit a bump along the way. In moments you are tempted to fall into old patterns, pray for His grace to remind you of the new, healthy rhythms you have learned. When you find yourself frustrated and feel like letting your words fly, take a deep breath and pray for the grace to speak words of kindness instead. Ask God to open your eyes to new ways you could serve your spouse. Cherish each moment He’s given you together. Lean into His courage as you say yes to those new adventures He’s inviting you into. And offer up thanks from the deepest depths of your heart for the unbelievable gift of it all!

Find Community

Seek out other thriving couples in your life. This is crucial. Ask God to surround you with them. We simply cannot build a flourishing life alone. God wisely designed us to need others; one of His favorite ways to strengthen us is through each other. Look for other couples around you who are also pursuing a thriving marriage. Learn from them, and lean on them.

Get Back Up

There is no such thing as a perfect person or couple! No one gets it right 100 percent of the time. Be prepared when setbacks come. When you have a rough day, just get back up. Ask for forgiveness. It’s amazing how a simple, genuine apology can wipe the slate clean. Remember, we’re always one step away from heading back in the right direction. Growth is a journey. Ask any thriving couple who’s been married longer than you, and they will tell you they, too, got there one step at a time. Often it looks like taking one step forward and two steps back. Be encouraged. You’re in good company. Trust the God who’s leading you. Trust in the power of consistency. Trust that you’re headed somewhere good!

You can choose to live your life together in a thousand different ways. May you intentionally center your lives around the rhythms that lead you towards God and towards each other. Here’s to the miracle of marriage. Here’s to grace and strength for your beautiful journey.

Here’s to the rhythm of us.