When we think about what’s valuable to us, we often think about material things… our home, car, investment portfolio. We think about business success. We think about getting praise… getting the credit… all temporary things. But we should value relationships above results, the process above the product, what’s “God-made” above what’s “man-made,” serving others above being served, giving others credit above receiving the credit, investing in people above investing in things. Why? Because these are what will last. And if we value them, then we’ll receive the kind of satisfaction that no amount of money will ever buy.

For more on this topic on my blog, go to 7 Ways to Know What's Truly Important to You?

You pour everything you’ve got—your time, emotions, energy—into raising your kids, but you aren’t seeing any return on your investment.  As your kids move into the teen years, you may even begin to see a “dip” in your parenting portfolio.  But don’t lose heart. Remember that parenting is a long-term investment. So don’t look at the day to day returns which will fluctuate, but take a long term approach. You may not see the returns for many years, but if you consistently invest in your kids and parent them the right way, the rewards are much more likely to be there in the future.  Listen to my new podcast on investing time in your kids.

Do you remember leaving the hospital with your first child? You may have thought, “what do I do now?” As you’ve continued your parenting journey you may have also thought, “Am I even doing this right?” Well, there is no instruction manual that comes with our kids.  There’s no scientific check-up to determine if you’re being a good parent.  But there are some things to consider. First, check where you’re spending your time. Is your calendar filled with things to do with your kids? Second, how are you disciplining your children? Calmly and gently with authority, or yelling and screaming in chaos? Listen to my podcast for more on What Makes a Good Parent. 

We all want to be the best husband we can be.  But it’s not easy. Why? Well, women are different—their desires and their ways of communicating are often not like our own.  Here are 5 things wives wish their husbands knew.  First, that women desire appreciation.  Wives want to feel valued. And being a mom is hard work, so never take them for granted.  Second, that wives desire attention.  So in a world where phones, television, and other technology are shouting for our time and distracting us, show your spouse she is still your number one by giving her your full attention when you’re together.  Read more about the 5 Things Wives Wish Husbands Knew. And if you missed it last week, be sure to check out the 5 Things Husbands Wish Wives Knew.  

Marriage is messy.  When two imperfect people come together, there are bound to be mistakes made and feelings hurt.  So when your spouse does something wrong and apologizes, how can you move towards accepting their apology and letting it go?  Here are 5 steps to forgiveness in marriage.  First, understand that forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling.  If you wait until you “feel” ready to forgive your spouse, then you will live in hurt and anger for a long time.  Second, share your hurt.  It may be uncomfortable, but it’s important to honestly communicate with your spouse so that you can work through the situation together.  Read more about the 5 Steps to Forgiveness in Marriage.  

Flirting with your spouse is a good thing and can reap a lot of benefits. So here are some playful, fun, creative ways to flirt with your spouse. Leave a note for her on her pillow or mirror before you go on a trip…something specific like “Thanks for taking care of so many details when I’m gone…you do a great job!”  Or leave a note on his car rearview mirror saying “I’m jealous of this mirror because it’s looking at you.” Maybe turn on your favorite song on your smart phone and dance in the kitchen with her when she least expects it. Not every idea works for every spouse, so try different things.  For more ideas, check out these 8 Creative Ways to Flirt with Your Spouse. 

Our culture has a lot to say about what it means to be a man.  It tells us a man has to be strong and handsome, win every fight, and of course, get the girl.  But is that really what it takes to be a man?  I’d like to paint a different picture of what a true man looks like. So here are several things to teach your son about manhood.  First, being a gentleman is still worth the effort.  Opening the car door and standing up when a woman joins the table are still great qualities of a man.  Second, teach him to take responsibility—responsibility for his actions and choices.  Here are the rest of the 10 Things to Teach Your Son About True Manhood.