There are some patterns in marriage that are good, and there are some patterns in marriage that are bad. One bad pattern we used to have was slurpees… like all the time, haha. Okay that’s kind of a joke because being slightly addicted to slurpees probably won’t end your marriage. Butttt, being slightly addicted to nagging … well that could.

I think if I’m to generalize how to have a successful marriage, the biggest thing I’ve learned that you can do is pay attention to the patterns – then reinforce the good ones and reshape the bad ones. Bad patterns detract you from your marriage. Neglect, selfishness, nit-picking, discontentment, making assumptions, bad communication, not budgeting, passive aggression, not asking forgiveness and not forgiving, assuming you’re not part of the problem(s)…

Good patterns attract you to your marriage. Thankfulness, affirmation, confession, prayer, playing, boundaries, budgeting, being slow to speak and quick to listen, encouragement, knowing you are each equal parts of the problem(s) and the solution(s).

Good patterns will honor your marriage, and when you honor your marriage, you’re working to build a marriage that will last! Here are 3 easy ways that your nightstand can help you honor your marriage and build good patterns into your relationship with your husband that will attract you to your marriage!

1. I like to keep a photo of Kenton from our wedding day on my nightstand. He has a photo of me on his nightstand, too. This just reminds us that we are for each other, that he is mine and I am his. I also like that when I go to sleep, a photo of him is right by my head. Often times I pray at night that God will protect my dreams and help me to remain true to my marriage even in sleep.
2. I replaced my phone with an alarm clock a while ago. This protects our time in our bedroom. If my phone is in another room, I can’t get distracted by it. This leads to good conversation as we get ready for bed and it allows my attention to be fully his, which is a really important and wonderful way to affirm Kenton.
3. Inside my nightstand, I have several books, including Jesus Calling. Reading a devo at night helps to recenter my mind on things above before I got to sleep. And when my mind are on things above, I’ll be a better wife, always. Something we’ve also started doing is reading a Psalm aloud before bed and sharing the one part that sticks out to each of us. This is a quick, easy way to spend time in scripture together. It’s also a great way to end the day together.

And that’s 3 ways your nightstand can honor your marriage! I feel like this could be a mini-series of posts! Ideas: Ways Your Refrigerator Can Honor Your Marriage, Ways Your Back Yard Can Honor Your Marriage, Ways Your Closet Can Honor Your Marriage…. what do you think? Comment below if you think this should be a series and give me your idea on what might be fun to read about!