This past winter, my daughter and I started something new–we lit a candle every night leading up to Christmas.
The reason I did this with my daughter instead of Michael is because we’re always the ones who are up later than everyone else, and besides that, it was something we started together.
Let’s just say that we were inspired by Max Lucado’s book-turned-movie, “The Christmas Candle.”
Each and every night before blowing out the candle, we held hands and prayed together. I even slipped a few prayer requests I had written down under the base of the candle for safe keeping.
There was nothing magical about the candle itself, but to us it was symbolic. The presence of the flame in our home was a reminder that God’s faithfulness is ever present in our lives.
But I don’t want to talk about Christmas today, at least not for another nine months. I want to talk about Valentine’s Day. In particular, “The 5-Day Valentine Challenge for Couples.”
Each day this week leading up to Valentine’s Day, I’m going to challenge you to do one special thing for your marriage. For those of you who want to do this challenge with your husband–that’s awesome. But those who can’t get their husbands on board with the idea, can still take most of the challenge alone. Except for the date night, that might be tough. *wink*
These are the five challenges we’ll be looking at this week:
Monday – Light a prayer candle
Tuesday – Write a letter to each other
Wednesday – Have an electronic-free night
Thursday – Bless someone else with a Valentine’s surprise (a widow? a single person?)
Friday (or Saturday) – Have a special date night either inside or outside the home.
As we go through each challenge I’ll give you a few more details, but for today, let’s start with the candle. Light a candle in your home each day leading up to Valentine’s Day. Before blowing it out each night, pause to pray together. If you have a special request, you might want to jot it down on the little piece of paper and keep it under the candle for the entire week.
If you’re doing the challenge alone, you can still be praying for your marriage. The candle will be an awesome reminder that God is at work in your lives.
And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: – Exodus 13:21
See you tomorrow!
You are loved by an almighty God,
Darlene Schacht
The Time-Warp Wife
Pick up a copy of my book, Messy Beautiful Love: Hope and Redemption for Real-Life Marriages.
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These things sound great. I have a husband who has bever believed in valentines day. Plus our marriage of 34 years is on the rocks. So this time of year is tuff sometimes, especially this year as my heart breaks. I would love prayers from everyone. Thanks
Praying for you & your husband!!
Valentine’s Day is special to us because it is our wedding anniversary.( 27 this yr!) We always try to do something very special during the week because it is so hard and expensive on the actual day. Thank you for another way for us to celebrate! We look forward to doing these. After a very difficult year, with the death of my beloved father in law this year’s anniversary will need more prayer and love for my sweet husband. He is so good to me always and deserves the very best. I am lucky to have one of the good ones out there. Have a blessed Valentines Day.
I have been thinking along these same lines and am excited to do a few of the things you have listed. Getting my husband to write a letter seems hard to me so I might ask him to just write down something that he really likes about me for 5 days and then on date night we can share with each other. I am really looking forward to more posts by you.
God’s blessings to you!
I am praying for you Mary!
Mahalo (thank you) for the simple and doable ideas that I can tweek for myself. After 42 years of marriage and in this season of our lives we still need to spice it up no matter the situation. I’ll give it a try.
To Mary, This week, as I pray in the evening for my marriage, I’ll be praying for you and your marriage too. Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. God Bless You! Aloha!
I know how tuff marriage can be at times. I will pray for you, your husband, and your marriage. God can make things new and bring peace and comfort.
This sounds amazing! I am definitely on board. I don’t know if my husband will do all the things with me, but that is not going to stop me from doing them! Thanks for posting such a fun idea, and Happy Valentines Day!
Challenge accepted <3 Thank you for the positive focus on our relationships too 🙂
I’m very excited I found this site! Im looking forward to doing the list for the week of valentines!!