It is customary to go into the New Year with a reflective attitude and hopes for a new fresh start. We look back at the past year and celebrate successes, while also evaluating areas we would like to improve and become more healthy and whole. We make resolutions to improve our lives focusing on developing disciplines around diet and exercise, better management of finances, breaking bad habits or simply becoming a better version of self.

While these are all valiant pursuits, I want to challenge you to consider a resolution to work on improving your marriage. Whether you have been married for a minute or are celebrating your golden years, there is always work to be done and areas in our marriage relationship that need enhancing. Marriages take work and intentionality if they are going to grow into marriages that reflect Jesus’ love for His bride, the Church. If we are not intentional, and allow ourselves to just drift along, we can expect our marriage to succumb to disorder and disconnection. (Yes, the second law of thermodynamics applies to marriage, too!)

I have yet to meet a married couple that has attained perfect harmony in all areas of their marriage. Those who are close to this will readily share the hard work they have done to develop better communication, commitment and connection. So in the spirit of the new year, we want to encourage you to assess your marriage to identify areas you may want to enhance. We recommend taking ‘The Marriage Assessment’ available through focus on the family (link provided below). If after taking and discussing the assessment, you need support or additional resources, check out the links provide and reach out to us for additional resources. We would be blessed to support you in growing a thriving marriage.