The Pure Joy in Living Right

COUPLES SHARE HOW THEY’VE BUILT STRONG RELATIONSHIPS

Imagine having a workout partner or teammate that knows you very well – maybe too well. You have someone who can push you further than anyone else – because they’ve done it many times before. Moreover, they are very aware of your latest pains, your frustrations, your ambitions, your weaknesses and what’s on your mind. It’s the one person where a pat on the butt after you exercise means more than “good job”.

We’re talking about husband and wife couples. If you’ve never experienced your favorite fitness activities with your spouse this may seem challenging, even odd and for some perhaps even undesirable. But for those who have done it and keep doing it, there are new dimensions and higher levels of satisfaction that redefine the joy of physical fitness.

Muscles are made for exercise. You have to use them. The more you use your muscles the stronger and healthier you are. Similarly, marriage is a unique spiritual relationship given to a man and woman by God to experience a tremendous fullness in life. Marriage is made for exercise.

This interactive article begins with two examples: Craig and Cyndy DeMartino from Colorado are avid rock climbers even though Craig lost a leg after a horrific and nearly fatal fall. Dr. Chris and Whitney Zaino from Texas exercise and do bodybuilding together when they are not working together in their chiropractic firm. Read how these two couples have built strong relationships. Then use the form below to submit your story. Other couples (not married) are welcome to submit their story for consideration.

A FULL LIFE FROM THE GROUND UP

What kinds of activities do the two of you enjoy doing together the most?

We like to climb and be with our kids.

How does your Christian faith enhance and transform your relationship in general? What would your relationship be like if it was not grounded in your Christian faith?

For the two of us, and after the accident, I really don't see how anyone can make it thru anything without God. I feel like He is the whole groundwork for our relationship. I try to use Him as my sounding board for all things that concern the important parts of my life.

How do you exercise specific aspects of your faith to make your relationship work well? Describe that. Give details on how you face your own personal challenges, how you know when you’ve done it right and what your doing to bring about further personal growth.

I try to listen very intently to what God is trying to show me. When I find myself getting selfish or self-centered, I try to back up and really work on putting my belief in God first, then try to see what He wants me to do in any given situation. I can tell it was the right thing, because everything will just fall in line when I put Him first.

What area, in your opinion, the tough parts to maintaining purity and righteousness in your life?

This whole world is based on self-centered attitudes. We're always told we deserve everything now. The family is very low on the priorities list these days. It feels like I’m swimming upstream a lot in this world!

Beyond activities, how do the two of you experience life as a couple – A couple that is distinctly “you”? What are the special moments or experiences that you enjoy as a couple?

For us climbing and our other outdoor interests are the experiences that cement our bonds. We try to teach our kids and stay focused on the simple life that God wants us to enjoy. We couple that with our church life to make for a very full life.

TRAINING PARTNERS AND COVENANT RELATIONSHIPS

What kinds of activities do the two of you enjoy doing together the most?

Whitney and I are best friends. We have not spent one day without seeing each other. Whitney runs the office of Abundant Life Chiropractic, all the business stuff, and that allows me to focus on serving people and doing my job as a doctor. So, we have a work relationship. Whitney is also my training partner. After work we will go workout. During Whitney’s pregnancy, we did not get to train together as much.

We are together all day. After work and training, we really like to stay home, cook, and watch movies all weekend. This allows us to recuperate, spend even more time together and relax.

How does your Christian faith enhance and transform your relationship in general? What would your relationship be like if it was not grounded in your Christian faith?

Christ is the #1 priority in our lives. We are “one in Christ” through marriage. When I said “I do” to Whitney, that was a covenant with not only Whitney, but also with God. She is a Godly woman - I could not be married to anyone who was not. We read together, attend church together and worship and give together. The reason why our marriage, our business, and our lives have been so blessed is because of the supernatural, unconditional love and favor of God. In everything we do, we know we must honor God. We Honor Him with our bodies, at our office and through our lives. Honestly, I really can’t think what our lives would be like without him. Having Christ in your life brings you to a higher level and purpose not only in your life, but transforms a great relationship to an eternal one.

How do you exercise specific aspects of your faith to make your relationship work well? Describe that. Give details on how you face your own personal challenges, how you know when you’ve done it right and what your doing to bring about further personal growth.

We respect each other’s feeling and concerns. We make personal choices to help the other. Some things we have done to enhance our time together is to not have cable TV. We rent movies on the weekends and we select exactly what we are going to see. TV today has totally crossed the line. It portrays unrealistic goals for women and men. Standards and what is considered acceptable are totally immoral and not according to the word of God. Something that seems so harmless as TV, can open up the wrong doors.

Whitney and I make sure we have at least one date night per week. This is when we may go out to eat, or cook our favorite meal.

We make sure that we stay away from toxic relationships. We guard our marriage and choose wisely the people we socialize and hangout with. We choose couples that we can pour into equally, and are able to challenge each other spiritually and in life.

I take part in a weekly men’s ministry to help stay focused on what it is to be a true man in God’s eyes. It also provides an accountability factor.

What area, in your opinion, the tough parts to maintaining purity and righteousness in your life?

We are not perfect human beings. We have been born into sin. We try our best, but to set a standard of maintaining a certain level of purity and righteousness would be like trying to get into heaven with our works. I fall short every single day. This could cause me to stress over something I shouldn’t, being impatient or not trusting God the way I should. This is why Jesus Christ came and died for my sins and yours. It is only through His Grace and mercy that we have anything. Our job is just to try our best, and follow Him, striving to be like Him. In this earthly life you will never attain that, so It will continue to be a journey and a process.

Beyond activities, how do the two of you experience life as a couple – A couple that is distinctly “you”? What are the special moments or experiences that you enjoy as a couple?

Whitney is my best friend, and I am hers. We can look back and enjoy memories, see how far we have come and how much the Lord has blessed us. In the past nine months, things have been heightened through the whole pregnancy process. Now we have our first child, a baby boy. He will open a new chapter in our lives, and a new dimension to our covenant relationship.

Now it's your turn. Go to our Forums and share your story.