A Lifetime of Awesome Sex in Marriage Pt. 10 - Hurdles and/or Obstacles
This Week’s Quick Hits:
Let’s Do Some November Trivia. Give yourself 20 points for each right answer. Perfect score is 100!
1. On November 29, 1983 the drama, The Day After was aired on television. The drama depicted the effects of what fictional event?
a. A pandemic of food poisoning from E-coli-infected Thanksgiving turkeys
b. The election of the U.S.’s first president with a phobia of lying
c. A toilet paper shortage
d. A nuclear attack on the U.S.
2. On November 6, 1928 the first animated electric sign was mounted on the Times Building in Times Square, NY. For what purpose was this animated sign used for?
a. displaying cartoons
b. showing presidential election returns
c. displaying stock market values
d. presenting a risqué ad for Nafalino Bras & Corsets
3. This famous romance drama film, based on the play Everybody Comes To Rick’s, made its debut on November 26, 1942. What was this film?
a. Casablanca
b. For Whom the Bell Tolls
c. The Maltese Falcon
d. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
4. In Latin the word November means:
a. eleventh month
b Scorpio month
c. frost month
d. ninth month
5. In the classic Guns N’ Roses’ song, November Rain, what follows this line: “And when your fears subside, and shadows remain..”
a. “I know that you can love me”
b. “I know my shame is your only pain”
c. “I know our love will stray”
d. “I know your dog watches me while I sleep”
Read, Listen, Watch
Watch:
The Boys by Ron Howard and Clint Howard
If you are an Andy Griffith Show fan, you know Opie. If you’re a Happy Days fan you know Richie; both are played by Ron Howard. If you are a Gentle Ben fan, you know Mark, played by Clint Howard. The brothers Howard were all over our TV screens for many years. This amazing book gives us a look inside Hollywood from the perspectives of two child stars. For me, the real story is about family. With strong values and roots from their Oklahoma backgrounds, Rance and Jean Howard raised their two Hollywood actor sons the same way. I am not a big Hollywood memoir book person but this book is different and I am a fan!
Vlog:
Why are people reluctant to go to marriage counseling?
Let’s look at some of the common reasons that people back away from marriage counseling? Can you guess what they are? Removing these reasons opens the door to letting a trained, neutral person help you improve your marriage.
Listen:
Gas Lighting in Marriage: Warning SIgns and Next Steps | Episode 489
In this episode, Christina and I talk about gaslighting. Gaslighting can be a common issue when it comes to marriage conflict and many people who gaslight do not even know they are doing it.
Here we will focus on what it is, the warning signs that you're being gaslit, and next steps if your spouse is gaslighting you.
Streaming:
I listen to four messages each week from pastors that challenge and inspire me. Their messages are relevant and I always have a good take away from each message.
This week I want to highlight my Pastor Craig Groeschel from Life Church in OKC. The first message I heard from Craig was on January 8th of 2000. Since then I have heard hundreds of his messages.
Craig is a great leader and was very instrumental with his encouragement and support in the early days of Awesome Marriage. Craig is an incredible speaker and his messages are both inspiring and practical. Here is the link to his latest message.
Insights:
A Lifetime of Awesome Sex in Marriage Pt. 10 - Hurdles and/or Obstacles
As we enter in the last two weeks of this series on a lifetime of sex in marriage, let’s talk about hurdles or obstacles that get in the way. Many couples face this first one: babies.
After five years of marriage we were ready for our family to grow. We loved having a baby in our lives and embraced the changes that came with it, but sex became a challenge.
At bedtime, I’d ask Nancy if she wanted to have sex. She’d say yes...and then she’d fall asleep before I could get my clothes off. The energy that had always been there for sex was now often difficult to find. I was frustrated, and she hated that I was frustrated but we were in a totally new season of marriage.
The key for me was to realize that it would not last forever. It was simply a season.
When I accepted that fact, it made the difference. We talked about adjustments that we needed to make together. Our frequency changed but once we talked about it , our quality didn’t suffer. It was dealing with expectations and making them realistic for this season of marriage.
We learned to talk more, plan more, and embrace the changes. We were more aware of opportunities that we needed to take advantage of.
Kids’ naptimes
When they had overnights with grandparents or friends
Morning showers
Over the years, other hurdles came with different seasons.
Schedules - always busy; had to learn to say no
Health issues: Endometriosis and pain; good doctors helped us walk through this season
Lower libido
Stress
Depression, which can affect sex life
The key for us in each season was taking the time to listen and to understand each other. We had to talk about the hurdles and not ignore them. We had to listen, be empathetic, and be non-judgmental. We had to go through these together as a team. When we did, we found that our sex life during and on the other side of these hurdles was better and our marriage grew.
A Next Step
Identify together the hurdle or obstacle that stands in the way of improving and working on your sex life in marriage. Now each of you come up with a solution or two. Share your solutions and pick at least one to implement.
November Trivia Answers:
A nuclear attack on the United States
Showing Presidential Election Returns
Casablanca
Ninth month
“I know that you can love me”
*Some links are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Every dollar made goes directly to the ministry of Awesome Marriage to help couples build awesome marriages. We only promote products we truly recommend.