Periodically, I find some NUGGETS from stalwarts in relationship and marriage education like Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott. Much of this is from one of their blogs:
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If there's one silent superhero in marriage ministry, it's not communication skills or conflict resolution—it's gratitude.
Dr. Robert Emmons, widely regarded as the world's leading expert on gratitude, calls it "love's amplifier." His research shows that regularly practicing gratitude can increase happiness by as much as 25%. That's not wishful thinking—that's hard data.
Think about what that means for your relationship. Gratitude is the one habit that can instantly shift a relationship's emotional tone. It softens defensiveness, builds empathy, and helps partners see each other through a lens of grace rather than grievance.
After forty years with my Gorgeous Redhead, I can tell you: the couples who make it aren't the ones who never fight. They're the ones who never stop thanking each other for suiting up, showing up, and sticking around. So as we head toward the Thanksgiving season, consider weaving gratitude into your conversations: ✓
Name one specific thing they appreciate about their partner each day.
Ask how gratitude shows up—or doesn't—in your communication patterns.
Reflect on how gratitude might shift your marriage narrative.
This Week's Challenge: Every morning, write down at least one thing you're grateful for about your spouse. Every evening, tell them what you appreciated that day. Do this for seven consecutive days. Watch what happens. And maybe take your own medicine, too.
What would it look like for you to be more grateful this week—for your partner, your life? "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." — 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Tune into love's amplifier and help couples rediscover the good that's been hiding in plain sight. Good marriages don’t just happen…they are created by two people who learn how to be grateful every day. One of the ways you might add to this is making a point to complete this sentence at least once per day during this same week: “I love you, because_____________”
Biblical Anchor
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." — 1 Thessalonians 5:18
"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name." — Psalm 100:4
Personal Testimony
"After forty years with my Gorgeous Redhead, I can tell you: we have made it not because we never fight. We're the ones who never stop thanking each other for keeping on showing up."
