I recently reread some advice that I was given shortly before my husband and I got married. At my wedding shower, several ladies who had been married anywhere from a couple of years to over 20 years gave me notecards on which they had documented marriage advice.
I thought the advice was great then, but I have an even greater appreciation for it now that I’ve been married for some time. Though none of these women were “marriage experts,” they gave really sound advice! Whether you’re about to get married or you’ve been married for decades, I hope you are inspired by these snippets of insight.
Great marriage advice
“The most important thing you can do for your husband is to pray for him every day. You will be amazed how much can be resolved in prayer without having to say a word to your spouse.”
“Be the first to end a quarrel with an apology—a real apology.”
“Don’t forget to have girlfriends. Your husband cannot play that role.”
“Laugh, laugh, laugh! Seriously, at the end of the day, a lot of fights can be avoided by choosing to assume the best of each other.”
“Let him love you. No matter how big or small of a gesture, be appreciative of the love he is trying to show you.”
“A good wife forgives her husband; a great wife forgives before he asks for it. A good wife gives her husband what she knows he needs; a great wife gives him what he thinks he needs. A good wife has sex with her husband; a great wife initiates sex on her own.”
“Assume you are/have the problem (not that your husband is/has the problem). Consider that we are to die to ourselves.”
“Let yourself laugh. You can always discuss things more seriously later, but it’s hard to go back and laugh if you initially overreact with negative emotion.”
“Once the wedding is over, the question ‘Did I marry the right person?’ isn’t relevant anymore.”
“Don’t follow your heart. Lead your heart to love him.”
Based on my experience, there are a few additional pieces of advice that are essential:
- Pray together daily.
- Don’t complain about your husband to friends or family members. Bless him and maintain your respect for him by speaking highly of him instead.
- Communicate your needs and expectations clearly because your husband can’t read your mind.
- Continue to go on dates.
- No matter how busy you get, take time every day to look your husband in the eye, say “I love you,” and reconnect for a moment.
What pieces of advice would you give a bride-to-be?
Shared on the following link-ups:
Saturday Soiree, Growing in Grace, Coffee and Conversation, Wedded Wednesday, WholeHearted Wednesday, Titus 2sday, Titus 2 Tuesday, Monday’s Musings & The Art of Homemaking.
This is an excellent post and very aptly named! Thank you for sharing!
Hi Letetia,
Thanks! I thought the advice was too good to keep to myself. 🙂
Oh this is great! Especially the first one, to be the first to end a quarrel. That is hard for sure.
Yes, it takes a lot of humility, but is so important!
These are great!!! I would add that you become his greatest cheer leader! He feels great knowing you think the world of him.
Thanks so much for sharing this, I am pinning right away!
Yes, that is great advice! Our husbands face enough criticism and pressure in other areas of life that they need to know we’re supporting and cheering them on.
This is great! Just what I needed to read today!
I’m glad it encouraged you!
Some great advice here! Thank you for taking the time to share it on the Art of Home-Making Mondays! 🙂
I’m delighted to share it!
I love this. I asked the mommies to do this for me at my baby shower for my first child.
I especially love the praying for your marriage daily.
Congratulations,
It’s always great to get advice from those who have experience, isn’t it?
Great advice… and what a nice way to share it. 🙂
The longer I’m married, the more I realize how sound the advice was!
“Never go to bed Angry…. and if it is unavoidable, at least say I Love You and resolve to settle it first thing in the morning.” My grandfather at his 50th wedding anniversary celebration with my grandma. 🙂 Thank you for sharing all the GREAT advice you received! What a treasure to hold onto over the years. Blessings to you and your husband.
It’s often best to settle things right away, isn’t it? Thanks for sharing!