True quality time is becoming a lost art. There are more opportunities for wasting time than at any other period in history: smart phones, social media, streaming entertainment, 100s of cable channels, you name it.
Paul urges us to use our time wisely:
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17)
If you don’t give your attention to each other intentionally, there are many others who would like to steal it from you.
Here are four ways to eliminate distraction and “design your time”:
1) Schedule distraction free time.
This could mean a weekly date, or a standing rule in your home where phones/screens go off at a certain time. Set parameters and stick to them.
2) Share a table once a day.
Eat meals together whenever possible while sitting around your table. It sounds obvious, but only a small minority of families share a table daily.
3) Get comfortable with silence.
Silence makes us uneasy. Try to fight that. Sometimes the best moments involve sitting, thinking, and filling the silence with genuine conversation.
4) Get outside as much as possible.
God has given us a beautiful and vast planet. Get outside and breathe some fresh air! Walk, jog, eat, sit, talk… whatever your thing is, experience it outside together.
Discussion Questions
- Do you struggle with letting distractions steal your quality time? Why or why not?
- What is one activity you can add to your routine that will consistently provide opportunities for quality time? Describe an ideal instance by writing in detail on paper.
Discuss your answers with your spouse (and feel free to leave a comment below with your answers if you’d like).
About this Article
This post is an excerpt from our new 30 day couple’s devotional, Two as One: Connecting Daily with Christ and Your Spouse. Every day you will explore topics that affect your marriage and learn how the Gospel is central to every aspect of your relationship. We hope you’ll consider
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Every day includes 4 sections:
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Have you heard of the The 31-Day Pursuit Challenge?
Every marriage begins with passion, purpose, and pursuit, but few stay that way. That’s why we wrote Husband in Pursuit and Wife in Pursuit Together, they make what we’re calling the 31-Day Pursuit Challenge. Couples are encouraged take the challenge together. We’re already starting to hear stories of transformed marriages! Are you up for the challenge?
