My husband and I have not always had the best relationship. Our first seven years of marriage were spent not knowing Jesus, and each of us lived for our own lives instead of investing in our marriage.
In fact, we had both decided that divorce was in our near future. Neither of us cared about the other's needs, and we honestly were tired of dealing with all the emotional baggage.
Thankfully, God came along about our 7th year, and we learned about His love, grace and mercy. We went through a few months of marriage counseling after we both got saved because we realized that once we gave our lives to Christ, we did love each other and wanted to try and make things work.
Our counselor gave us some good ideas for connecting. One of the pieces of advice we were given and still practice to this day (16 years later) is dating each other. Below you will find five of my absolute favorite date ideas.
1. Go to a Concert Together
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:20 (NIV)
A couple of years ago, my husband surprised me with tickets to one of my favorite Christian rock bands. He had planned this whole date night for me by taking me to one of my favorite restaurants for dinner before the show.
We spent the whole night laughing together and worshiping God together, and the date lasted well until almost midnight. It turned out to be one of the best we had ever had.
2. Plan a Picnic Lunch and Go to a Park
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have... Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)
Now, if money is super tight for you and your hubby, then date nights are not out of the picture for you. You just have to be a little more creative. Why not plan an afternoon or evening at the park? You can cook a yummy lunch (or even do sandwiches if you don't want to cook) and spend some time just walking around looking at nature.
3. Movie Night at Home
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Another of our favorite date nights now that the kids are grown, is finding a good, Christian movie that speaks to both of us. This way, we can learn and grow in our Christian walk together while also getting some good snuggle time in. I will pop a big bowl of popcorn, get our sodas ready and then grab a blanket for movie night at home on the couch.
4. Go on a Lunch Date Instead of a Dinner Date
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other… 1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NIV)
One of the ways that my hubby and I date each other is by sometimes having a lunch date instead of a dinner date. Then, throughout the rest of the day, I can think about my husband's smile, how he looks at me, all the loving things he said to me during lunch, and it makes my heart grow even more with love for him.
5. Get Away Somewhere
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
Too much noise from outside influencers can really strain a marriage. So every once in a while, we will escape just one town over to a hotel and have a night to ourselves so we can fully concentrate on one another -- where we’ve been, where we are going, and encouraging each other to fully trust our relationship to God only.
Feel like you need to reconnect with your spouse? Want to make an extra effort to protect your marriage? Schedule a monthly date night with your spouse – even if it is a coffee date or just a walk in the park. Make time to focus on your significant other through meaningful outings, activities and events, after all, strengthening your marriage will only honor and delight our loving Father.
By Jennifer Sikora
