Are you feeling a bit of relational distance growing between you and your spouse? Truthfully, it happens to every married couple. There is no way that you can be completely in sync at all times in marriage. Life is too busy and complicated to ALWAYS feel close to each other. But when we feel relational distance growing between each other, we can do a lot of different things to close in the gap. Our web site is packed with info to help in this mission.
One of the many ways we can close our relational distance (or prevent it from happening in the first place) is to laugh together. Laughter is good medicine [without harmful side effects], according to the Bible. And that’s so true! It sure has worked for us time and time again.
We thought about this when God reminded us of this with a sign we have hanging in our home. It says, “Laughter is the closest distance between two people.” So that’s what we want to give you in this Marriage Insight to start off the New Year in a light-hearted way. We want to give you some things to read together to close some of the relational distance you may be experiencing between the two of you.
We came across a lot of funny, and serious—yet profound sayings that we’d like to share with you. Some of them will make you laugh. They sure made us laugh. And others will cause you to think and perhaps, help to close the distance between you in a different way as you discuss them.
Closing the Relational Distance Between You
So, below are a number of sayings we encourage you to share with your spouse. Most of these are easy, breezy, kind of silly sayings (written by unknown authors). Others are more meaningful. And you’ll find that a lot of them can be applied to marriage. But whatever you do, use them to create a positive share time between you. Don’t argue. Read, laugh, smile, consider, talk, and most of all enjoy!
So, here is the first saying we found—hopefully closing the distance between you as you share smiles and perhaps laughter. (And yes, if you apply this to marriage, we know you don’t have a tail to wag. But you do have an attitude you can adjust and use like a wagging tail):
Dog wisdom: Be brave no matter your size. Have a mind of your own. Make your own fun. Dig life, and chase after your dreams. Take a nap. Never stop playing. Wag more, and bark less. Be quick to forgive, and be a good friend. Live in the now, love unconditionally, and paws to enjoy life.
Here’s a wall sign that most any dog owner could relate to:
Home is where the dog hair sticks to everything but the dog.
And then, this applies to the situation above or as a general rule:
I dusted once, it came right back. I’m not falling for that again.
The following is a wall sign that could hang in some homes:
I’m one cat short of crazy.
Additionally, as it applies to cats (and many spouses because that’s not their personality):
If cats could text you back …they wouldn’t.
Smiling Points to Help Close Relational Distance
Here’s a saying we found on a wall sign giving the definition of “Bathroom” (that many parents can relate to):
Bathroom, bath-room / noun, a temporary sanctuary for overwhelmed parents seeking refuge from their offspring.
So, are you a good cook? What about your spouse? Here’s a wall sign that can hang in many kitchens:
Many have lived here; few have died.
Actually, we’ve had our cooking flops. Fortunately, we lived through them, and so have our kids. Now that they are married, they can cook their own flops :) And perhaps everyone will live through them.
And then here’s a wall sign some couples hang outside their door (that we think is funny):
No soliciting. We are too broke to buy anything. We know who we are voting for. And yes, we have found Jesus. Seriously, unless you are selling thin mints, please go away.
Here’s a wall sign that many people can relate to (especially as they age):
I laughed so hard, tears ran down my legs.
Some Things to Prayerfully Consider:
But then here’s a more serious wall sign that should hang in every heart:
You are free to choose, but you are not free from the consequence of your choice.
And then here’s another saying that we should hang in front of our eyes before we speak. If you look closely, you will see it’s an acronym for T.H.I.N.K.:
Before you speak THINK. Is it True? Is it Helpful? Do you think it is Inspiring? Is it Necessary? Is it Kind?
That goes along with the following. It’s ESPECIALLY true in marriage because it’s easy to fall into a rude, sarcastic, and mean-spirited trap when you live together day after day:
In a world where you can be anything, be kind.
A Good Reminder:
Here’s a wall sign we should all hang in our home as a good reminder:
The things you take for granted, someone else is praying for.
Also, when we think about it, this is true:
I still remember the days I prayed for the things I have now.
Here’s another thought provoking wall sign to prayerfully consider:
When God pushes you to the edge, trust Him fully. Because only two things can happen. Either He will catch you when you fall or He will teach you how to fly.
Also:
Someday everything will make sense. For now just laugh at the confusion, smile through the tears and never forget to remind yourself that everything happens for a reason.
This wall sign goes with the ones above:
On the darkest days when I feel inadequate unloved and unworthy I remember whose daughter [or son] I am and I straighten my crown.
And then here’s another good reminder:
This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever. In its place is something that you have left behind… Let it be something good.
Turning a Serious Corner to Smile and Close the Relational Distance
In turning a corner, here is a wall sign that can be gross. But we’re sure it’s effective in closing more than relational distance:
If you pee on the seat, I will scrub it with your toothbrush. ~ Mom
Here’s a wall sign that every spouse can relate to:
I love you more today than I did yesterday. Yesterday you got on my nerves.
This is a wall sign that we need put within our minds when our spouse irritates us:
Lord, please keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth. Amen.
On a serious note, here is a scripture to remember when you sinfully stir up unnecessary anger within your spouse, by the things you say or do:
“If you play the fool and exalt yourself, or if you plan evil, clap your hand over your mouth! For as churning cream produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.” (Proverbs 30:32-33)
And then here’s a wall sign we should all consider hanging in our homes and FOLLOW:
Family Rules: Always be honest (Proverbs 12:22). … Count your blessings (Psalm 34:1-3). … Forgive and forget (Micah 7:18). … Be supportive of one another (Acts 20:35). … Be kind and tenderhearted (Ephesians 4:22). … Keep your promises (Romans 4:21). … Comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18). … And above all love one another (1 Peter 1:22).
And here’s a wall sign we saw that gives wisdom spoken by the late John Wayne. It sure applies to us, as spouses.:
Life is hard. But it’s harder if you’re being stupid.
Plus, here’s a saying we saw on a T-shirt many of you can relate to:
You don’t scare me; I have a daughter.
More sayings to bring smiles and make you think:
The following wall art is SO applicable because of phone rudeness. This DEFINITELY applies to married couples:
What a great day to go outside to answer your phone. [Or better yet, NOT answer or look at it while we’re sitting together eating dinner or we’re having quality time together.]
This is a T-shirt saying that too many spouses can claim as they get caught up into Right-fighting with their spouse:
I’m not arguing; I’m just explaining why I’m right.
And then here’s a saying that would be good for all spouses to remember, concerning our marriage partner:
I’m not perfect; But I am a limited edition.
This saying, posted on a T-shirt made us laugh (although it’s not too funny when you’re sleep-deprived because of a snoring spouse). Still, this is funny to us:
I don’t snore I dream I’m a motorcycle.
And then here is a saying that we hope every married couple gets to this place with his or her spouse:
When I say I love you most, I don’t mean I love you more than you love me. I mean I love you more than the bad days ahead of us. I love you more than any fight we’ll ever have. And I love you more than any obstacle that could try to come between us. That’s how I love you the most.
Important Thoughts
With these next thoughts, you could swap out certain generic words for, “Your spouse”, or “him” or “her”:
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. But be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. But succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. But be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway. Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Yet, give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
Last, But Not Least
Here are two important separate scriptures to take to heart:
• An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. (Proverbs 24:26)
• Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. (Proverbs 17:14)
And here’s how we’d like to end this Marriage Insight. It’s not a funny thought, but the message is profound and definitely could improve marriages if applied:
Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with Him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that. (Ephesians 5:1-2, The Message)
We pray this Marriage Insight has been a blessing—bringing smiles and wisdom to shorten any relationship distance you are experiencing in your marriage.
Cindy and Steve Wright
— ADDITIONALLY —
To help you, we give a lot of personal stories, humor, and more practical tips in our book, 7 ESSENTIALS to Grow Your Marriage. We hope you will pick up a copy for yourself. (It’s available both electronically and in print form.) Plus, it can make a great gift for someone else. It gives you the opportunity to help them grow their marriage. And who doesn’t need that? Just click on the linked title or the picture below to do so:
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