‘But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband. The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs. The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife. Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control. I say this as a concession, not as a command. ‘ 1 Corinthians 7:2-6(NLT)
Of all the little expressions of love — a box of chocolates, a hand-written poem, or a bouquet of hand-picked wild flowers — I think my favorite is a good old fashioned kiss. Whether it be the gratuitous kind that comes with greeting my husband after a day at work or the surprising ambush kiss while standing in line at the grocery, I always feel especially loved when Les gives me a simple kiss.
Did you know the word kiss comes from a syllable that is believed to be the sound of kissing? However it originated and whoever named it really doesn’t matter to me. I just know I like it. And why shouldn’t I? Kisses, according to a Danish saying, are the messengers of love.
Holding hands is another favorite. It communicates affection, protection and comfort. Science has even shown that simple handholding blunts the brain’s response to threats of physical pain (as any couple can attest to who is walking through a hospital ordeal together).
Perhaps the loudest statement handholding makes is to others. It communicates more clearly than nearly anything else that you are a couple. Whether it is the simple grasp or the more intimate interlocking of fingers, holding hands is a great expression of love that keeps couples bonded.
Holding hands and kissing may be the most important words you don’t speak all day as a couple. They are key to cultivating passion and intimacy. Of course, at this stage of your relationship you’re not even worried about it. But project your relationship 10 or 20 years into the future. What can you be doing now to ensure that your love life is alive and well then? How does this Bible passage speak to your plans in this area?
from Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts by Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott