My husband Rodney and I often say that it’s the little things that make a great marriage (and it’s the little things that can destroy a marriage).
Just as the little things make a big difference in your leadership, the same could be said for your marriage. And the quality of your marriage will greatly impact the effectiveness of your leadership. Your marriage is always worth the investment.
Seemingly insignificant gestures, words, looks, or touches — any of these “small” things — can build up or tear down a relationship.
Recently, I was out of town for four days. When I returned, Rodney had a simple, beautiful flower arrangement waiting. It wasn’t elaborate, but it told me that he’d missed me and wanted to celebrate my return. A small thing? Maybe, but it touched me in a big way.
10 ideas that can make a big difference:
- Put a card under his pillow or send her a text with a personal message.
- Ask him how you can pray for him today and pray specifically.
- Surprise her by filling up her car with gas and/or getting his car washed.
- Get him a surprise gift for no reason (make it something simple but personal).
- Surprise her by cleaning the house (or pay someone to do it). The key is the surprise.
- Plan a lunch with a picnic, blanket, and an hour at a park.
- Ride bikes together.
- Go the zoo (without the kids).
- A fireplace talk with music is amazing.
- Eye contact, an extra hug, and a little flirting does wonders.
All couples experience major, milestone type events together. But the reality is, marriage is mostly made up of a series of ordinary kind of days. The challenge becomes being intentional about making those little things that matter an everyday part of your marriage.
“To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband.” Ephesians 5:33
Selma Wilson is the Executive Leader of Organizational Development at Lifeway Christian Resources, and former President of B&H Publishing Group. She has over twenty years in various leadership roles, loves the church, is a marriage and family counselor/speaker, an advocate for moms, a cheerleader for marriages, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, but mostly a woman transformed by Jesus.
