What Did You Expect?

The book I've been reading lately is called What Did You Expect? Although it's my goal to read each night for a half hour before bed, it's been hard to fit it in with our busy schedule in the last couple of weeks. I find more often than not I only manage to read a page or two at a time and sometimes not even that much. 

The chapter I'm reading now is about building trust in marriage (i.e. building intimacy). It seems I read a brief section and then think about whether or not that aspect of trust characterizes our marriage. There is always a question at the end of a section, basically challenging the reader: Are you doing these things? 

The emphasis of the book is for the reader to take personal responsibility for how he or she approaches the marriage relationship rather than pointing a finger at the spouse. The author provides specific suggestions for what we can do to grow into a deeper relationship as husband and wife. 

This has been the most thought provoking chapter for me, but it has all been good so far. I highly recommend it. 

Some of the questions I found to be helpful include:

• Is your communication free of hidden agenda, and is it motivated by the needs of your spouse? 
• Are you serious about your promises, even when they are little, and do you do everything in your power to follow through? 
• Do you quickly admit your wrongs and seek forgiveness? 
• How well do you care for one another? 
• Do you quickly deal with wrongs and quickly settle your differences?

As you may imagine, along with less time to read, I've taken more time to think about what I'm reading. Although I'm inching along, it's been worthwhile.