1 True Talks
1 True Talks
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.
Hi, I'm Renee Richel, the founder and president of 1 True Match. I'm here to help you find and cultivate the love of your life. For over a decade, I've dedicated my life to the importance, purpose and dynamic of human relationships. My team and I are disciplined by faith, love and integrity to help our clients find the quality relationship they've always dreamt of. Each week, I will be sharing the tools and tips I've learned that have rooted my success as a matchmaker with other leaders around the world. Hello, loves, I hope you have had a fantastic week.
Renee Richel:Today, we're going to talk about date night and beyond keeping the spark alive in a God-centered marriage. Welcome back to 1 True Talks, where we talk about all things faith, love and the beauty of building God-centered relationships. Today's episode is one I believe every couple needs to hear, whether you're newly married or you've been in the game for decades. Today we're talking about date night and beyond, keeping the spark alive in a busy life and in a God-centered marriage. Marriage is seasonal. You're not always going to be in the mountaintop moments, and that's okay. God designed it that way. Let's talk about how we stay connected, romantic and full of grace even when life is pulling us in a thousand directions. Let's start here. God is not just pro-marriage. He designed it. Marriage reflects the covenant love between Christ and the church. It's sacrificial, it's holy, it's powerful. It's holy, it's powerful, but it's also hard work, especially when life is busy. In Ecclesiastes 4:12, it says a cord of three strands is not quickly broken. That's you, your spouse and God. That's where the strength comes from. You have to be whole in yourself before you can love your spouse or anyone else around you as well. When God is in the center, even when things feel dry, disconnected or routine, you have the foundation to rebuild, reconnect and reignite.
Renee Richel:Let's be honest, some seasons of marriage 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. It's the heartbeat of connection, not because it's always fireworks, but because it says to your sparrows you still matter to me, I still have time for you. That's why I always encourage couples to have what I call couch talk. It's sacrificial, scheduled, no phone time on the couch every week to openly discuss with each other. No pressure, just presence. You sit down, maybe with tea, maybe even in your pajamas, wherever you feel most like yourself, openly and ask how is your heart, what are your expectations? How are you doing? What can I do to love you more and show you that I do.
Renee Richel:Remember this is also a critical time to sit down and pray for each other so that you can grow as a strong couple. You don't need grand gestures, you need intention. A 20-minute weekly couch talk can do more for your connection than a fancy, surface-level date night with no depth. And when you do this, remember, come open-minded, come completely vulnerable and unjudgmental to truly share your heart and feelings. Here's the truth. We don't hear enough.
Renee Richel:Marriage goes through seasons. There are spring seasons full of growth and excitement, summer seasons, easy, joyful and warm. Fall seasons, where things can change and require adjustment, and winter where it may feel cold, distant or quiet. Winter doesn't mean your marriage is broken. It means it's resting, being tested. Deepening Song of Solomon 2:11-12 says See, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone, flowers appear on earth. Seasons change. Don't give up in winter. Lean in, pray more, love harder.
Renee Richel:When you prioritize your marriage, you're not just having fun, you're doing ministry. Your date night isn't selfish, it's sacred. You're saying this matters, we matter. Let's grow together, not apart. Try this Schedule a weekly or biweekly 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 each other with new eyes. The spark won't keep itself alive. It needs stirring, and here's the 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.
Renee Richel:Proverbs 5:18 says may you rejoice in your wife of your youth. That means keep rejoicing, even when you've got bills to pay, babies to raise and work to do. Don't look at someone else's highlight reel and feel like you're failing. Every marriage has its ups and downs. You don't need what they have. You need to ask what can I build with what God gives me? Cultivate your own marriage, water it, speak life over it and remember you're on the same team. So, in conclusion, remember your marriage is Holy. The spark can live on and seasons change, but God remains.
Renee Richel:If you're in a busy, distracted or distanced place, start small One prayer, one hug, one date night, one step towards connection. God honors your effort. Thank you for being here with me today. I'm praying that this week you choose love over routine, intention over autopilot, and joy over busyness. And remember true love doesn't just survive. It thrives and blossoms when God is in the center. You're not doing this alone. You're doing this together with your mate, walking hand in hand with the Lord. Until next time, stay in love, stay engaged and stay rooted in Christ.
Renee Richel:Next week we're going to talk about God, us and family, balancing romance in busy seasons. I hope you have the most powerful, incredible week, loving more with God and the love of your life, to blossom your garden and spread the word to others that you meet. Have a blessed week, lots of love you need. Have a blessed week, lots of love. It's been another great talk on this episode of 1 True Talks by Renee Richel. I look forward to our next chat. Please write in your questions and comments so I can be sure to talk about whatever it is you want to discuss in our next upcoming episode. Lots of Love, God Bless, XOXO.