Fire Prevention Where We Need It Most

I wrote this for our Upward Soccer newsletter and thought I'd go ahead and share it here as well.

It’s Fire Prevention Week which makes me think about, well, fire prevention! We probably all do things around our homes to make sure our families are more protected in case of fire. I know my family does. We have smoke detectors and a fire extinguisher. We have discussed how to use 911 and where we would meet outside of our house in case of a fire. However, my husband and I are very aware that there is something more important to us than the structure in which we live, and that is our marriage. It’s so easy to get caught up in the day to day activities of life with kids, school, jobs, sports, church activities……you know the drill! But as husband and wife, the best thing we can do for our children is to do some fire prevention in our marriage. How is that done?

It may be as simple as a hug as soon as you both come home at the end of the day. Or it might be actually turning the TV and computer off so that you can really listen and look at and talk to each other without distraction. It might mean not going to those websites or watching those TV shows that you know deep down in your heart are harmful to your marriage. Fire prevention in marriage is you removing yourself from temptation’s way.

Maybe it’s asking a friend to watch your kids for a couple of hours while you take a stroll in the park, go bowling or to the driving range, or have dinner together without the kids. It doesn’t need to be fancy! You could even get take-out and eat at home, but just spend some time together! Perhaps fire prevention in your marriage is noticing when your spouse does something helpful, like making dinner or taking out the trash or mowing the lawn, and then saying something like, “Honey, I so appreciate how you take care of our family by making sure our trash cans are empty.” Okay, so it might sound silly, but it might be just the right thing to say to a busy, tired spouse. When words of appreciation and encouragement are spoken, your spouse knows he or she is loved.

Do you notice that your husband has really awesome leg muscles? Do you think your wife looks fantastic in that color she’s wearing? Then say it! Would your husband appreciate you filling up the gas tank for him? Then do it! Would your wife love it if you bought her a yummy piece of chocolate? Then buy it! Do it out of love for your spouse and a commitment to making your marriage fulfilling and lasting.

Sometimes it’s the big things and sometimes it’s the little things, but they all add up to preventing “fires” in your marriage before the flames of destruction can take hold. What are you doing to quench the sparks of destruction and protect what is so precious to your family?