14 Days To A Hopeful Marriage {2020}

Yesterday, Paul and I celebrated the 10 year anniversary of our first date. We were married less than 11 months later!

The fact that we are still married, still dating, still smiling at each other is not a testimony to his greatness as a husband or my greatness as a wife. It’s not because we married “the right person” or found soul mates in each other. It is a direct result of God’s grace in our lives and a testimony to his faithfulness to answer prayer. 

I believe more than ever before that the secret to success in marriage is found right here:

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. 1 Peter 3:1-6

No matter where you are in your marriage – if you feel hopeful or if you feel hopeless, I want to encourage you with that truth. Place your hope in God, allow Him to work in your heart and then watch as He creates something that is precious in His sight!

Something else I’ve believe (but have a hard time living out) is that I must be intentionally invested in my marriage every single day. It’s much more dangerous than skipping a week of housework or not making a menu plan! Just like I have to wipe the counters, empty the trash, put away the dishes and vacuum the floors to keep my house in top shape, I have to maintain my marriage with the choices I make every day.

Want to join me? I have created a simple challenge that I’m calling 14 Days to a Hopeful Marriage. If you start on February 1st, you can end up on Valentine’s Day with a hopeful heart (and maybe a happy husband – results not guaranteed 🙂 ). I shared these prompts last year but felt like we could all benefit from them again this year!

1. Pray 1 Peter 3:1-6 for yourself, asking God to direct your hope to Him!
2. Forgive your husband when he makes a mistake.
3. Pray Micah 6:8 for your husband, particularly as it relates to his job.
4. Greet your husband at the beginning and end of your day with a smile and a kiss!
5. Pray 1 Peter 3:1-6 for yourself, asking God to direct your hope to Him!
6. Find a picture of you and your husband – text it to him with the reason why you love that picture of you together.
7. Pray Philippians 1:9-11 for your husband.
8. Plan ahead for your Valentine’s Day gift or card (Dollar Tree has great cards).
9. Pray 1 Peter 3:1-6 for yourself, asking God to direct your hope to Him!
10. Text your husband during the day and ask him how his day is going.
11. Purchase a small gift to leave in your husband’s car – his favorite candy, drink, or a gift card to Starbucks.
12. Pray 2 Peter 3:18 for your husband.
13. Thank your husband for something today.
14. Pray 1 Peter 3:1-6 for yourself, asking God to direct your hope to Him – even if Valentine’s Day doesn’t turn out the way you wanted or imagined.

Who’s in? I want to help you remember to follow along with each day’s prompt, so I’ll post it each morning on my Instagram story. If you’d rather have them all at once, click here to download the full list to print or access on your phone.

Leave a comment if you’re joining – I will write your name down and will pray for you as you place your hope in God! ❤ I’m going to do the challenge too. I can’t wait to see what God does in my heart!

Other Posts You Might Enjoy:

• 3 Things to Pray Before Christmas (in this post, I show you how to pray Scripture)
• Thoughts on Marriage, Divorce and Hope
• The Question That’s Making A Difference in My Marriage