Date Night & Beyond: Keeping the Spark Alive in a God-Centered Marriage

Ever feel like romance has become just another item on your endless to-do list? You're not alone. In this soulful conversation, we dive deep into the sacred art of keeping your marriage vibrant and connected when life pulls you in a thousand directions.

Marriage isn't just another relationship—it's a divine reflection of Christ's covenant love for the church. But even the most faith-centered marriages experience seasons. Drawing from Ecclesiastes 4:12, we explore how "a cord of three strands is not quickly broken" when God remains at the center of your relationship. This powerful foundation allows couples to reconnect and reignite even when things feel routine or distant.

"Couch Talk"—a simple yet transformative weekly ritual that cultivates vulnerability and genuine connection. This isn't about expensive date nights; it's about creating sacred space that says, "You matter to me." We discuss how marriages naturally cycle through seasons—spring's growth, summer's warmth, fall's adjustment, and winter's testing—and how each season serves a purpose in strengthening your bond. The winter doesn't mean your marriage is broken; it means it's being refined.

From practical date night strategies to spiritual practices that invite God into your daily interactions, this episode offers tangible ways to choose love over routine and intention over autopilot. Your marriage isn't just personal—it's ministry. When you prioritize your relationship, you're honoring God's design and creating a testimony that speaks volumes to the world around you. Join us next week as we explore balancing romance amidst family and parenting responsibilities, and don't forget to send in your questions and comments for future discussions! Your story matters, and your marriage can always thrive with God at the center.

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Episode Transcript

Renee Richel (00:07):
Hi, I'm Renee Richel, the founder and
president of 1 True Match.
I'm here to help you find andcultivate the love of your life.
For over a decade, I'vededicated my life to the
importance, purpose and dynamicof human relationships.
My team and I are disciplinedby faith, love and integrity to
help our clients find thequality relationship they've

(00:28):
always dreamt of.
Each week, I will be sharingthe tools and tips I've learned
that have rooted my success as amatchmaker with other leaders
around the world.
Hello, loves, I hope you havehad a fantastic week.
Today, we're going to talk aboutdate night and beyond keeping

(00:50):
the spark alive in aGod-centered marriage.
Welcome back to 1 True Talks,where we talk about all things
faith, love and the beauty ofbuilding God-centered
relationships.
Today's episode is one Ibelieve every couple needs to
hear, whether you're newlymarried or you've been in the

(01:12):
game for decades.
Today we're talking about datenight and beyond, keeping the
spark alive in a busy life andin a God-centered marriage.
Marriage is seasonal.
You're not always going to bein the mountaintop moments, and

(01:33):
that's okay.
God designed it that way.
Let's talk about how we stayconnected, romantic and full of
grace even when life is pullingus in a thousand directions.
Let's start here.
God is not just pro-marriage.
He designed it.
Marriage reflects the covenantlove between Christ and the

(01:58):
church.
It's sacrificial, it's holy,it's powerful.
It's holy, it's powerful, butit's also hard work, especially
when life is busy.
In Ecclesiastes 4:12, it says acord of three strands is not
quickly broken.
That's you, your spouse and God.
That's where the strength comesfrom.

(02:20):
You have to be whole inyourself before you can love
your spouse or anyone elsearound you as well.
When God is in the center, evenwhen things feel dry,
disconnected or routine, youhave the foundation to rebuild,
reconnect and reignite.

(02:40):
Let's be honest, some seasons ofmarriage are just full.
Full of work, kids, ministry,deadlines, stress, house chores
and in the middle of it all,romance can feel like one more
thing on your checklist.
But romance is not a luxury,it's not optional.

(03:03):
It's the heartbeat ofconnection, not because it's
always fireworks, but because itsays to your sparrows you still
matter to me, I still have timefor you.
That's why I always encouragecouples to have what I call
couch talk.

(03:24):
It's sacrificial, scheduled, nophone time on the couch every
week to openly discuss with eachother.
No pressure, just presence.
You sit down, maybe with tea,maybe even in your pajamas,
wherever you feel most likeyourself, openly and ask how is

(03:48):
your heart, what are yourexpectations?
How are you doing?
What can I do to love you moreand show you that I do.
Remember this is also a criticaltime to sit down and pray for
each other so that you can growas a strong couple.
You don't need grand gestures,you need intention.

(04:09):
A 20-minute weekly couch talkcan do more for your connection
than a fancy, surface-level datenight with no depth.
And when you do this, remember,come open-minded, come
completely vulnerable andunjudgmental to truly share your

(04:31):
heart and feelings.
Here's the truth.
We don't hear enough.
Marriage goes through seasons.
There are spring seasons fullof growth and excitement, summer
seasons, easy, joyful and warm.
Fall seasons, where things canchange and require adjustment,
and winter where it may feelcold, distant or quiet.

(04:55):
Winter doesn't mean yourmarriage is broken.
It means it's resting, beingtested.
Deepening Song of Solomon2:11-12 says See, the winter is
past, the rains are over andgone, flowers appear on earth.

(05:15):
Seasons change.
Don't give up in winter.
Lean in, pray more, love harder.
When you prioritize yourmarriage, you're not just having
fun, you're doing ministry.
Your date night isn't selfish,it's sacred.
You're saying this matters, wematter.

(05:37):
Let's grow together, not apart.
Try this Schedule a weekly orbiweekly date night and protect
it.
Take turns.
Planning.
It doesn't have to be expensive.
It doesn't have to be expensive, just intentional.
Pray before your day.
Ask God to help you see eachother with new eyes.
The spark won't keep itselfalive.

(05:59):
It needs stirring, and here'sthe secret.
You can be the spark.
Flirt with your spouse.
Send a silly or sweet text,give a long hug, light a candle
and turn off the screens.
Laugh, play, relearn each other, continue to date your mate.

(06:24):
Proverbs 5:18 says may yourejoice in your wife of your
youth.
That means keep rejoicing, evenwhen you've got bills to pay,
babies to raise and work to do.
Don't look at someone else'shighlight reel and feel like
you're failing.
Every marriage has its ups anddowns.

(06:46):
You don't need what they have.
You need to ask what can Ibuild with what God gives me?
Cultivate your own marriage,water it, speak life over it and
remember you're on the sameteam.
So, in conclusion, rememberyour marriage is Holy.

(07:08):
The spark can live on andseasons change, but God remains.
If you're in a busy, distractedor distanced place, start small
One prayer, one hug, one datenight, one step towards
connection.
God honors your effort.

(07:31):
Thank you for being here withme today.
I'm praying that this week youchoose love over routine,
intention over autopilot, andjoy over busyness.
And remember true love doesn'tjust survive.
It thrives and blossoms whenGod is in the center.

(07:51):
You're not doing this alone.
You're doing this together withyour mate, walking hand in hand
with the Lord.
Until next time, stay in love,stay engaged and stay rooted in
Christ.
Next week we're going to talkabout God, us and family,
balancing romance in busyseasons.

(08:13):
I hope you have the mostpowerful, incredible week,
loving more with God and thelove of your life, to blossom
your garden and spread the wordto others that you meet.
Have a blessed week, lots oflove you need.

(08:36):
Have a blessed week, lots oflove.
It's been another great talk onthis episode of 1 True Talks by
Renee Richel.
I look forward to our next chat.
Please write in your questionsand comments so I can be sure to
talk about whatever it is youwant to discuss in our next
upcoming episode.
Lots of Love, God Bless, XOXO.