"Bed" Talk

Tonight out at the soccer fields, our youngest son, Logan, started scheming some big plans with a few of his friends. I (Rusty) saw them huddled together after practice, and knew that they were up to something big. I was putting some things in the car when one of the parents came up to me and told me that Logan had invited all of the other boys to ride home with him from school one day. Then, apparently, he told all of the parents that his Mommy and Daddy would "talk about it in bed tonight."

Of course we got a big laugh out of that, and it was pretty cute. But it also made me think about how important the marriage bed really is. I know exactly where everyone's thoughts are going (mine went there too), and the physical intimacy that takes place in the marriage bed is certainly at the top of the list of important things that take place in bed. However, the marriage bed is important because of a number of other things that can and should take place there. How about a Top Ten List...

1. Sex (I told you it was at the top of the list) - Don't ever underestimate the importance of the physical connection that takes place in the marriage bed.
2. Pray - For some reason this is one of the hardest things for couples to do together, but make your marriage bed a sacred place and pray together before going to bed each night.
3. Communicate - Use the bed as a meeting place to get together and talk.
4. Daily Devotions - Start and/or end each day in God's Word together or individually in the bed.
5. Cuddle - Go to sleep each night wrapped in each others' arms.
6. Fun - Remember how much fun the bed was when you were a kid? Hiding under the covers, tickling a sibling, wrestling Mom or Dad, having a pillow fight...bring the fun back to the bed with your spouse.
7. Family Rendezvous - For those of you with kids, some unforgettable moments can take place when everyone piles onto the bed together (especially on Saturday mornings).
8. Sleep - This seems pretty obvious, but sometimes there is nothing more important than drifting off into a deep sleep in the quiet with your spouse.
9. Read - Take a few minutes before bed to read something that might be helpful to you and/or your marriage.
10. Unplug - This is a Top Ten List of important things to do in bed, so the last one has to be "unplug." Don't bring the TV, laptop, iPad, or cell phone into the bed with you! Connect with your spouse in bed instead of the rest of the world!

I know that we have a long way to go with that list in our marriage. I am starting to realize that the marriage bed is even more important than I ever knew! But, even our 6 year old knows that some pretty important things take place in that bed...like deciding when is a good time for friends to come over and play.

Rusty and Heather