• Home
  • About
  • Testimonies
  • Pastor Endorsements
  • Contact
  • Why Become a Donor
  • Marriage
  • Family
  • Christian Life
  • Leadership
  • Sermon Videos

Where It All Began

February 13, 2015 By bwatson 2 Comments

A couple of days ago, my daughter wrote a blog about when she met her husband for the first time.  She could remember the details of the day that was just 5 years ago.  I also have memories of that time, at least the weeks following that day…but that’s a blog for another day. 

East-Texas-Baptist-University-6253ACBD

Her reminiscing caused me to start thinking about when I met her mother.  I don’t remember the date of when it happened…I don’t remember any names of the other people that were around…I don’t remember what I was wearing…But I remember her! That brown hair…Dark Brown Eyes…That Smile that melted me at first glance…Her petite body…Can I just say WOW!!!

I began my studies at East Texas Baptist College in the fall of 1982 after a stint of playing at Baylor University the previous year.  During that fall semester, I met a lot of people.  I had been dating a girl for a couple of months, but we “broke up” over our differences of what the ministry might look like for me.  I was really just trying to get back into the swing of going to school that first semester.  After the winter break, I was settled into going to classes.  I had a very good friend from my home town as a roommate and I was actually enjoying the experience.  Then it happened.  I had seen this girl around campus…being a small school, you see everyone at some time. 

It was basketball season.  I love basketball.  I would go to all of the games.  Our team wasn’t as good as I would have liked, but it was still basketball.  At this particular game, I was sitting in the stands with several other people — guys and girls alike.  The game wasn’t nearly as interesting as being in the group.  Some how the conversation turned to cooking, cleaning, ironing and the like.  If my memory serves me correctly, the girls were all complaining about having to do such things. 

(Just a side note, my roommate and I would iron our shirts every day.  We would compete to see who could get the best crease in the shirt sleeves.  Weird for guys, I know.) 

After listening to them complain for a while, I finally spoke up.  I blurted out that I could do all of those things and that I was in the habit of doing them.  Of course I lied about some of it.  I didn’t, nor do I clean very well.  Cooking is not something that I’ve ever been confident in doing.  But the ironing, I still do.  But no one knew that I was lying.  Well, my statement caught Lisa’s attention.  She turned to me and proposed right there on the spot.  (Obviously she was kidding, as we didn’t really know each other yet.)  I should I said “yes” and swept her away to the courthouse and married her right then and there.  I didn’t, but our relationship began at that moment.

We didn’t know it, but God was going to use that basketball game to bring us to a point 32 years later that we would not just be married with kids and grandkids, but we would also be in the marriage ministry together.  What a ride it has been!!!

Share this:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Print

4 Keys for a Successful Dating Relationship in Marriage

February 11, 2015 By bwatson 12 Comments

Counselors, bloggers, and marriage educators have been talking about dating for married couples for the past several years.  I remember hearing about dating as a married couple in the 1980’s really for the first time.  My parents would go to functions and get us a baby sitter but I guess that I never considered them going on dates.  What I do remember was that they would go to church functions or work events.  Every once in a while, they would go to a concert at the college or a community play.  While I’m thinking about it, yes they went on a few dates while I was growing up.  They just did not talk about dating as a couple.

Dating is important at any stage in the marriage relationship.  If you are newlyweds, you might think that every day is a date.  You are still excited about being around each other and you are not worried about the “cares” of everyday life yet.  You play and joke and just enjoy being together.  If you are parents of children, dating becomes more difficult.  You have to find a sitter.  You are more tired because of work and taking care of the kids.  Your children have different activities to get to and you are their taxi drivers.  Just remembering those days is making me tired.   Maybe you are like me and my wife:  empty-nesters.  Dating can still be challenging because of work schedules, fatigue from work itself, or financial crises, not to mention babysitting grandkids.  Every stage of married life needs dating to be a part of it, yet each stage carries its own set of struggles to accomplish dating.  How do we have a successful dating relationship while we are married?Romantic Evening 2

  1. Schedule a date night.  Obviously once a week would be best for this.  Some schedules do not allow for that as well as some budgets would not allow it.  Therefore, schedule a date night at least once per month.  Put it on your calendar.  Budget for it.  Make it a priority to your relationship.
  2. Be creative with your dates.  Try not to get into a rut of what a date is for you.  I know that this can be difficult in some communities, but work together to broaden your scope for dating.  I confess that this is a problem for me.  I think that all dates should include a sit-down dinner at a restaurant.  I am trying to expand my thoughts to something more imaginative.
  3. Be attentive on your dates.  Put the phone away.  If you are sitting a table in a restaurant, sit across from each other so you can look at each other.  Talk to your mate.  Laugh and cut up together.  Play footsies under the table.  When you spend time looking at your phone, your spouse thinks he/she is not important.  I have started giving my phone to my wife when we go out on a date.  That way she can control if it gets answered and I will not be tempted to play games or text while we are on the date.
  4. Alternate choosing the dates.  If you always choose what you are going to do on the date, let your spouse plan the date.  You might be surprised at what they want to do.  I have encouraged couples to rotate each month for the dates.  The man plans all the dates for this month and the woman plans all the dates for next month.  Neither person can complain about the choices for the dates.  This allows for more variety in the dates as well as takes the pressure off of any one person to decide on each date.

We need to keep our marriage fresh and spontaneous through dating.

Click To Tweet

Each one of us need to be actively dating our spouse.  We need to keep our marriage fresh and spontaneous through dating.  I hope that these suggestions of how to have a successful dating relationship in your marriage is helpful to you.

What would you add to the suggestions?

VDAY_2015_button

Share this:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Print

Subscribe

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter

ARCHIVES

TAGS

#TBT Bible Study Budgeting Christian Life Christian Living Communication Conflict Conflict Resolution Covenant Marriage Date Night Election Emotions Empathy Expectations Faith Fall In Love Again Family Fear Forgiveness Friendship goals Happy Marriage Hurt Husbands Intimacy Leadership Listening Love Marriage Marriage Enrichment Money Needs Parenting Prayer Questions Reconciliation relationships Respect Selfishness Selflessness Sex Spiritual Intimacy Trusting God Understanding Wives

Purpose Statement

I provide Biblical Counseling for:
  • People who are hurting in their marriages and families.
  • People who are hurting emotionally and spiritually.
  • People who are seeking freedom from the bondage in their lives.

Brad’s Latest Tweets

  • The Foundation of Fellowship, by @garyLthomas https://t.co/0h3Qdgg09t November 29, 2022 3:46 PM
  • #verseoftheday https://t.co/aqPG7YU87I https://t.co/cCG6iZro0X September 17, 2022 1:13 PM
  • #verseoftheday https://t.co/j8XjeTR5Km https://t.co/mq3275fhbV September 16, 2022 2:56 PM
  • #verseoftheday https://t.co/EPScAZJ0io https://t.co/u9vBYJ5rw7 September 15, 2022 1:02 PM
  • #verseoftheday https://t.co/FNv2rsuHmz https://t.co/A20XHNIVG7 September 14, 2022 1:22 PM

Location & Phone Number

5411 PLAZA DR STE G
TEXARKANA, TX 75503
PHONE: (903) 244-5150


View Larger Map

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in