What I am sharing today is mostly for men or wives; you can share it with your husbands. After 47 years of marriage, I have come up with eight rules that have helped me. I am going to share 4 today.
Rule #1 – Leave and Cleave.
This must be pretty important, because the Bible mentions it several times. To leave your family and cleave to your wife means to make her the relational priority; nothing is more important than her, not family, kids, siblings, or work. She is #1 in your life.
Make sure you have emotional independence from anyone else so you can cleave to your wife. This will make a huge difference in your marriage.
Rule #2 – When we said “I do,” our Wallets did too.”
Many problems arise in marriage because there is no financial unity. The man has his money, the wife has her money, and they keep things separate. There is an easy way out when you are not aligned financially; it opens the marriage up to secrecy. When you are transparent about your money, cooperation and communication lead to decisions being made together.
Rule #3 – Man Up
Men, remember to take responsibility for your home as provider and protector. If there is dysfunction in the house, look in the mirror; you may be the cause. You set the spiritual thermostat for your wife and your children. To man up isn’t about control but about care. Lead by example. Serve and cherish your wife and make her feel safe.
Rule #4 – Practice the Three D’s
- Dialogue daily – Have meaningful conversations with your wife every day.
- Date weekly – Spend intentional time with your wife each week, without kids, friends, or extended family. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive.
- Devotion continuously – One of the most powerful ways to cherish your wife is to pray for her every day.
These simple rules aren’t about perfection, but they have helped us build a marriage that continues to grow stronger with time.
