In the chaos of life, it’s easy to become so busy that we forget to truly love—especially the ones closest to us. My wife Marilyn and I recently experienced this firsthand as we packed up 21 years of memories and moved to a new home. It felt like trying to scoop sand off the beach—never-ending, exhausting, and overwhelming.
But in the middle of the mess, God showed me something important: busyness can rob us of intentional love.
When life is full, our hearts can feel empty.
I noticed that my time with God had become limited, and as a result, so had my attentiveness and thoughtfulness toward others—especially my wife. The connection between margin and love became painfully clear:
“Margin, space, and time with the Lord drive creative ideas that foster love.”
In contrast, a life overflowing with tasks and responsibilities often leads to stress, forgetfulness, and emotional distance. A hurried life is a hindered love.
Invite God into the Everyday
Imagine if every day you paused to simply ask:
“Lord, how are You leading me to love my spouse today?”
What if we gave God space to speak into our marriages—not just in crisis or celebration, but in the mundane? When we slow down and listen, we create opportunities for God to plant seeds of intentional love, grace, and connection.
You Will Die With a List—So Prioritize Love
A wise person once told me:
“You will die with a list.”
There will always be tasks to finish, boxes to check, and things left undone. But if we don’t stop to love well now, we risk losing what matters most later. Your spouse doesn’t need a completed to-do list—they need your heart, attention, and presence.
Action Step: Make Space for Love Daily
Here’s a simple but powerful challenge:
-
Block off 5–10 minutes each day.
Turn off the noise, the phone, the to-do list. -
Ask God one question:
“How are You leading me to love my spouse (and others) today?” -
Act on it.
Whether it’s a word of encouragement, a small act of service, or an apology—follow through.
Final Thoughts
Your marriage isn’t sustained by big moments alone—it’s built in the daily, intentional decisions to love well. In a culture obsessed with hustle, slowing down to listen to God may be the most radical thing you can do for your relationship.
Let God guide your love. And remember, grace always makes space.
