*DAILY DEW 21/FEBRUARY/2023* *THE STUFF OF A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE* (IV) _Key Bible Text:_ *"Life is short, and you love your wife, so enjoy being with her. This is what you are supposed to do as you struggle through life on this earth."* (Ecclesiastes 9:9 (CEV)) _Bible Insight:_ 4. Kindness & Friendliness In the routines of daily living and trying to keep up with the pace of life's expectations, in the repetition of living with the same partner everyday, and in the familiarity of knowing a whole lot about one's partner, one can easily fall into the slippery slope of taking one's spouse for granted. In that state of taking each other for granted we stop taking time to be kind to each other and friendly. Kindness and friendliness must be intentionally cultivated. Kindness is to be continuously maintained through the good days and the bad days. It is an art. And a lifestyle to build in the home front. People tend to be kind to outsiders while being unkind to their own family. That you are displeased does not mean you must be harsh. Be kind. That you are angry does not mean you must display madness, be kind. Don't go to bed with anger pangs, without even allowing your husband or wife to touch you, just because you are angry. Kindness actually means keeping the anger or offence aside, and still doing what is expected of you kindly. Exchange greetings kindly. Don't throw up a frowning face, and answering questions with one line answers, and living like co-tenants under the same roof like angry hostel room mates. Remain friendly to your spouse. And let that friendship consciously get better and better by the day. Beyond the age, beyond the background, beyond the peculiarities, build a strong friendship. Let your spouse become your best friend. You must not marry your best friend but once you marry, let your spouse become your best friend. And it is your duty to continuously work on becoming a better friend to your spouse. A husband has a role to play no doubt but don't be so husband conscious that all you are to your wife is a husband and a father to your children. No! Be more than just a husband or father. Be a friend. A good jolly friend that you spouse cannot do without. A wife has an important role to play and no doubt can be just a great wife. But beyond being a great wife, become a great friend too. Don't always approach issues as a wife simplicita, let your husband find in you a friend he wants and longs to hang out with. Be a great friend to your spouse, his very best friend. _MEDITATION:_ *"Live happily with the (wo)man you love through all the meaningless days of life that God has given you under the sun. The wife/husband God gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil."* (Ecclesiastes 9:9 (NLT)) *#David_Joshua_Egbochuo* *#Daily_Wisdom_for_living* *#Becoming_More_Like_Jesus* *#Wedding_Anniversary_Series* *#The_Rise_of_An_Army* *#Daily_Dew_Devotional* *#Hello_FEBRUARY,2023* ❤ Links To Visit: *FB Pages* https://www.facebook.com/DavidJoshuaEgbochuo/ https://www.facebook.com/thedavidgen/ https://www.facebook.com/THEREVIVALCORPS/ *Telegram Group:* https://t.me/joinchat/NzXQlVc9Hx7LfaRSnh9fHg Feel Free to Share with Friends. God bless you.