Supporting Each Other's Dreams: A Path to Connection
Day 5 - May 24, 2024
Dreams don’t all have equal value.
Sometimes we have the wrong dreams, like when my dream was to play golf whenever I wanted. Some dreams have the potential to destroy our marriage. But if your dream is a righteous dream—the dream of a future, the dream of a ministry, the dream of a family—Jesus tells us that we should still lay it down for Him. Put God’s dream in front of your dream and you’ll find your dream anyway. You’ll get the dream that you’re wanting.
Take Action
Like the woman with the expensive perfume, what's your alabaster flask?
- What’s your dream?
- Have you shared it with your spouse? If so, have you share it lately? Or, is it something you've stopped sharing because you feel it will never happen?
- Have you surrendered your dream to the Lord?
- You should, because you're a part of His dream.
Day 1 - May 26, 2025
Honoring Dreams in Marriage This Memorial Day
As we celebrate Memorial Day, Mandy and I want to take a moment to honor the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms.
- Their courage allows us to enjoy the blessings of life, including the ability to build and nurture happy marriages. This day reminds us to invest in our relationships, supporting each other’s dreams and aspirations as we cherish the freedom to love and grow together.
Greed and selfishness can blind us to God’s true vision for our lives. The Gospel can only be genuinely shared by those who prioritize God’s dream over their own. While our individual dreams are important, they must align with our marriage.
Research shows that the most intense conflicts in marriage often revolve around Dreams.
- When one spouse feels their dream is threatened—whether by financial decisions or a lack of quality time—it can lead to significant tension.
- For example: If one spouse spends excessively, it might jeopardize the other’s dream of a secure home. Similarly, if one spouse is distant, it can undermine the dream of a loving, close-knit family. Poor communication can further complicate this, causing unrecognized threats to each other's dreams.
Take Action
Are you unintentionally threatening your spouse's dreams?
- To understand better, ask yourself: What actions might I be taking that could impact my spouse's dreams?
It’s crucial to have open conversations, not arguments.
- If it’s been a while since you discussed your dreams, take the initiative to ask your spouse about them.
- Don’t assume you know what they want based on the past.
Once you both share your dreams, think of ways to intentionally support each other. The Bible says in Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Questions to Consider
- For Yourself: What specific actions can I take to support my spouse’s dreams this week?
- You first need to know your spouses dreams. Don't assume! Ask them!
- For Your Spouse: How can we work together to ensure we both feel fulfilled in our dreams?
- Discuss what support is needed to take steps towards each other's dream.
Day 2 - May 27, 2025
Embracing God’s Dream for Our Marriage
The story of the Bible is clear: God wants a family. He doesn’t need anything, as He is self-existent, but He desires a deep connection with us. From the very beginning, with the creation of Adam and Eve in the Garden, we are reminded that we are part of God’s dream.
Take a moment to reflect on this: We are God's family. As a loving Father, God has a plan for each of us, including our marriages.
Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This promise extends to your relationship with your spouse, highlighting the importance of supporting each other in pursuing dreams.
Research shows that couples who actively support each other in their dreams are 20% more likely to report higher levels of satisfaction in their marriage. A study from the University of Georgia found that when spouses make plans together to achieve their goals, they not only strengthen their bond but also enhance their overall happiness.
Take Action
Questions to Consider
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For Yourself: What specific actions can I take this week to actively support my spouse’s dreams? Consider setting aside time to discuss their goals, offering to help them create a plan, or finding resources that could assist them. How can I show my encouragement to my spouse through small gestures or by simply being present?
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For Your Spouse: How can we collaborate to achieve both our individual and shared dreams? Let’s set aside time to talk about our aspirations, identify any obstacles we face, and brainstorm actionable steps we can take together. What commitments can we make to check in regularly on each other's progress and provide the support needed to stay motivated?
Day 3 - May 28, 2025
Who is Getting Your Best?
In Mark 14, we read a powerful story about Jesus visiting the home of Simon the Leper. During His visit, a woman arrives with an expensive alabaster flask of oil and breaks it, pouring the precious perfume on Jesus' head. This oil was worth 300 denarii—equivalent to nearly a year’s salary!
Many present criticized her, suggesting she sell the oil to help the poor instead of “wasting” it on Jesus. However, Jesus defended her, saying, “Leave her alone. Wherever the Gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will be remembered.”
- This story teaches us an important lesson: the first step toward making our dreams come true is about giving our best.
- Often, we think our dreams revolve around receiving and enjoying. However, they truly begin with the act of giving.
Reflecting on Your Marriage
- On a scale from 1-10 how would you rate your "Giving" as it relates to your marriage?
- In what ways are you currently giving or investing in your relationship?
Ask yourself: Who is getting your best? Are you giving your spouse the leftovers of your time and energy, while others receive your full attention? While leftovers are acceptable occasionally, they cannot be the norm.
Take Action
Statistics show that couples who support each other’s dreams and regularly communicate about them report a 20% increase in relationship satisfaction. A study from the University of Georgia emphasizes that when couples work together to achieve their individual and shared goals, their bond strengthens and happiness increases.
Questions to Consider
- For Yourself: What specific actions can I take this week to ensure my spouse receives my best effort and attention?
- For Your Spouse: How can we create a plan together to support each other’s dreams and ensure we are both investing fully in our marriage?
Day 4 - May 29, 2025
Looking Past Our Mess!
Remember the story of Jesus at the home of a leper? He showed love to someone who was considered an outcast in society. This powerful act reminds us that we are all part of God’s dream, regardless of our appearances, accomplishments, or failures. He values each of us deeply. You are God’s dream!
In the same way, consider the woman who poured expensive perfume on Jesus' head. This wasn’t just perfume; it was her dream—a dowry she had saved for her future marriage. By giving it to Jesus, she acknowledged that He was more important than her personal aspirations. She laid down her dream so that God could fulfill His.
We often talk about "Making Dreams Come True," but just like that woman, is there something you need to lay down first?
- While critics may have seen her act as wasteful, she didn’t throw it away; she offered it to Jesus.
Reflecting on Your Dreams
Is there something you need to give to Him so He can help you pursue your dreams?
Statistics show that couples who actively support each other’s dreams and create plans together report a 20% increase in marital satisfaction. A study from the University of Georgia found that couples who discuss their goals and dreams regularly strengthen their bond and increase their happiness.
Take Action
Take a moment right now to commit to giving your Heavenly Father your very best. Ask Him to reveal ways you can invest in your spouse’s dreams.
Questions to Consider
- For Yourself: What personal dream or fear might I need to lay down to better support my spouse?
- For You & Your Spouse: How can we work together to ensure we both feel supported in pursuing our individual and shared dreams?