Are you up for the challenge?

 The couples in our marriage group have been challenged to spend 15 hours a week with their spouse. We've been challenged before; however, this time we are going to log our time to see if we're measuring up. We're using Dr. Willard Harley's Time for Undivided Attention Worksheet and Graph to document our time. We're also using his Recreational Enjoyment Inventory to find activities we'll enjoy doing together as a couple. [We've already taken the Love Busters and Emotional Needs questionnaire to find our how to stop withdrawing love units and start making love deposits.] I would like to encourage you and your spouse to join us in our journey to have healthier and stronger marriages. You can find all the information you need on the Marriage Builders website as well as in the links above. 

Right now you may be thinking, "I do not have 15 hours a week to spare." That's a common response El and I hear when we make this challenge. So we like to suggest how a couple can find the time by using the time in the morning, afternoon, at night before bed, etc. El and I looked at the actual data of time that we have per week, which is approximately 168 hours minus 8 hours of sleep per night equaling 112 awake hours per week. If you spend 15 hours a week with your spouse, this is only 13% of your time per week. 13%! You mean to tell me that you don't have 13% of your time to spare for your spouse? The one you vowed to love til death? Our marriages are worth more than 13%! 15 hours per week is only about 2.5 hours a day. So let's say you don't have 2.5 hours each day. Okay, try to get as close as 2.5 hours a day as possible and when you have more time, spend it together. For example, on your days off, you may get 5 hours or more. You may have 15 minutes at night for pillow talk or 30 minutes during lunch. Find the time to spend with your spouse so you can build a stronger marital bond. 

It's amazing how much time you spent with your spouse before marriage and how much of that time seems to have vanished after the wedding. You took an interest in your spouse's conversation before marriage and now you just wish they'd shut up. You wanted to be around your spouse every moment before marriage and now you don't care if they come home. You were eager to please your spouse before marriage and now you could care less about their needs. What happened to the love? What happen to the care in your marriage? Many of you would say, life happened or we had children or we work too many hours. However, I beg to differ. You may seem to be busier than when you first married, but I'm sure you still find time for those things you really want to do in the midst of your busyness such as tennis, golf, time with friends, etc. Your marriage should be your first priority (after God) [Genesis 2:24]. Make time for your spouse today. Stop making excuses! The rewards are so awesome. When you're happy in your marriage, you're actually happier in every other area of your life. That's why I'm always smiling and glowing! I'm extremely happy in my marriage. And I can say that even after dealing with infidelity. Make time for your spouse today!

Join us in the 15 hour challenge. Use the tools above and start spending 15 hours a week with your spouse today. Don't forget to post your date or time spent together pictures on FB on IG using the #ezdates.