Principle 8: Support Each Other In Serving Others.

UNCOMMON WISDOM

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. —Matthew 6:33

UNCOMMON PRACTICE

Take a few moments to select one of this week’s practices to explore further. The related Adventure Application appears just below each practice. If you’d prefer to come up with a different way of living out that practice this week, feel free to discuss what that might look like.

Remember that people are watching to see whether your actions and attitudes match your words.

Is there an area with which you have struggled to make your actions meet your words? Pray with your spouse about it.

Be open to signals from your spouse that you are overcommitted.

Take a few moments to each list your priorities. Then compare your lists to determine how closely they align—and spend time in frank discussion about how well you are living up to the goals that matter most to you.

Keep your priorities straight: put faith and family first.

Establish some preappointed times to meet to discuss how well you’re living by the priorities you’ve set for your family. You might choose to do this monthly, making a note on the calendar for each designated time. Schedule your first check-in within the next two weeks.

Consider what only you can do when deciding where to volunteer or what causes to support.

You and your spouse should be engaged in the world around you. But take a few minutes to take stock of both of your activities. Are you overcommitted? Are there things that you could let someone else do?

Focus on both partners’ passions.

What are some ways, big and small, that you can help your spouse explore a passion?

Share the spotlight with your spouse whenever you receive credit or recognition.

What upcoming opportunity might you share with your spouse? Something that would be more effective—maybe double the impact or fun—if you were both involved?

UNCOMMON PRAYER

Take a few minutes to discuss any praises and needs you’d like to bring to God as a couple. Then, in addition to praying about those things, use one or more of the following prayer prompts to ask the Lord to enable you to serve together in ways that deepen your relationship and bring glory to Him.

Praise God for creating you with a need for rest and reflection—which are opportunities to look to Him for strength and renewal.

Confess the ways you’ve tried to live up to standards set by our culture or your own desire to get ahead to the detriment of your own or your family’s well-being.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you set priorities that will maximize the strengths and abilities He’s given you as well as the impact you can make on your family, your church, and your community.

Seek the Lord’s help as you try to determine “what only you can do” when seeking opportunities to serve outside your family.

Thank the Lord for your spouse and for the specific ways in which he or she has helped you accomplish your objectives, nurtured you and your children, and kept your household running smoothly.

Ask the Lord to remind you of any principles in this book that will ensure your marriage continues to be both uncommon and a life-giving adventure!