“A Little Slice of Heaven on Earth”

Earlier this year I had the privilege of attending a marriage conference for leaders in marital ministry, in which I heard Kathleen Hart, wife of Dr. Archibald Hart, (internationally known speaker and author of several books - www.hartinstitute.com ) share that her personal goal for her marriage was to be “a little slice of heaven on earth” to her husband. That impressed me. I hope she doesn’t mind but, my husband Gus and I have been borrowing that line from her ever since, especially when speaking to our pre-marital class.

Is it possible with all the stresses of life to be that little slice of heaven for your spouse? Yes it is, and I’m going to give you three simple keys to help you. These are not gender specific we can all do this.

#1.  Be Emotionally Connected:  With words and actions you are saying to your spouse, “I am here for you.  I’m engaged when you are telling me about your day.  I don’t withdraw when you are hurt or angry- I stay with you and try to comfort you, even if those negative feelings are directed at me. We are a team, and I want our team to win!”

#2.  Be Physically Available:  In their highly popular book, “Red Hot Monogamy”, marriage experts and authors Bill and Pam Farrel stated, “a happily married couple, one united emotionally, spiritually and sexually, is one of the best antidotes to the evil in the world because love is proclaimed.”

#3.  Be Spiritually Connected:  I believe this is the essential key to true intimacy with your spouse.  Before I can even peel my eyes open in the morning, I am aware of my husband kneeling by my side of the bed and praying over me. Since I am a woman and my primary emotional need is for security and love, this pretty much covers that!  Being able to share my deep love for God with my spouse is what makes our marriage great!

Last Sunday, our pastor’s sermon was on Heaven, he said: “For the believer life on earth is the closest we will get to Hell, and for those who reject God’s free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, this life is the closest they will ever get to Heaven.”  So if this life is the closest thing to hell, with all the evil in the world, then I am definitely committed to being a little slice of heaven on earth to my husband.  I want to be that one human relationship that can give that to him.  I want our team to win!

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!"
1 Chronicles 16:30-32