🥭🫛🍊Towards the end of my primary school education, I lived with my foster grandmother, an amiable soul and the first born again Christian I met in life.
🥭🫛🍊Very early in the mornings, Sam, Bonny and I would go the long distance to Inachalo stream in Idah town, Kogi State, to fetch drinking water. The cold weather was daunting, especially in January.
🥭🫛🍊Stepping into the stream took sheer courage as Inachalo stream water was always like ice water. And then trekking the long distance back home with the icy water on your head was something else. If you somehow missed your steps, the water would splash on you, hitting you with a biting coldness that pierced through your young skin.
🥭🫛🍊But guess what? As we would be getting home, tired from the load of water and the long trek, our foster grandmother, Néné, would be waiting with the tonic of motherly praise. She’d say:
“Ele!
Am’Ōchē mi li mi fōk’Uja! Am’Ōchē mi li mi f’okuja!!
Am’Ōchē mi li mi f’okuja!!!”
Meaning we were her “Valiant Warriors” whose presence filled her with the boldness to confront any enemy!
🥭🫛🍊Those words always worked like magic. They instantly took away the sting of the morning’s coldness. They put smiles on our faces. We were instantly comforted by her praise and approval and felt happy. Yes, those words put us in the frame of mind to go to the same distant stream the next day.
🥭🫛🍊Dear Spouses, know that from time your Mate’s marital energy and enthusiasm declines. Not because they’re not committed to you or to the relationship but as a result of the tears and wears of life. And that’s why you must be always sober and sensitive to notice when your partner is getting weak, so you’d release some marital tonic that would boost their energy and give them the new rush of enthusiasm for the next lap of the love race.
🥭🫛🍊Below are some marital tonics you can use:
🥭🫛🍊(1) PRAISE
Praise is a matrimonial tonic. It works!
🥭🫛🍊Praise strengthens and invigorates the one you invest them in. It’s a far better instrument than criticism.
🥭🫛🍊Even God Almighty Who created us responds to praise. How much more finite human beings?
Learn to praise your marriage partner for the good things they do in your marriage and home. Your Mate will be encouraged and strengthened; and you’ll have a stronger marriage.
🥭🫛🍊(2) THANKFULNESS
Beloved, God’s Word tells us:
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; AND BE YE THANKFUL.”(Colossians 3:15)
🥭🫛🍊The Thankfulness commanded here isn’t only towards God but towards all who make input into your life as a person.
🥭🫛🍊You’ll agree with me that, after God, your Spouse is first among those who contribute to your life and wellbeing.
Don’t take their goodness for granted. It doesn’t cost much to open your mouth and express your gratitude for their position and roles in your life.
🥭🫛🍊Gratitude to your husband or wife will encourage them and strengthen your mutual love for each other.
🥭🫛🍊(3) CALLING YOUR SPOUSE WHOM YOU DESIRE OR LOVE THEM TO BE
🥭🫛🍊God called Abraham the Father of many nations ever before he begot Isaac. Why? Because He is the God Who walks by Faith and calls those things that be not as though they were; and it works out perfectly.
🥭🫛🍊What kind of Spouse do you want your mate to be? A super-romantic? An all-night Lover who delivers deluxe sex? A stunning companion? A compassionate and caring man or woman? Then look beyond what their weakness are today, find a beautiful name that suits your desire and dream for them; and call them by that new name. And that’s who they’ll become, by the grace of God.
🥭🫛🍊(4) THE TONIC OF SURPRISE GIFTS AND PRESENTS
Another tonic that will build up and strengthen your marriage partner is Surprise Gifts.
🥭🫛🍊And please hear this: your gifts don’t have to be very expensive to be impactful. It’s the heart and the love behind it that counts.
🥭🫛🍊And you don’t need to wait for special events like birthdays and marriage anniversaries to give “love tonic gifts”. Give them anytime. Give them with humility. Give them with joy. And give them unconditionally and never as a bribe for a favour you’re planning to ask your mate.
🥭🫛🍊In conclusion, back what you have learned today with obedience and your marriage will move from strength to strength and from glory to glory. Amen.
❤️💕 TONIGHT’S ASSIGNMENT IN THE BEDROOM
Reread the devotional piece just before bedtime and soberly discuss it.
✝️ JESUS CHRIST IS CALLING YOU! COME TO HIM TODAY AND BE SAVED!!!
🥁🪘🎷🎺🎸🎻
ANOINTED MUSIC SECTION