Posts Tagged ‘Christian Marriage’


CLICK HERE to watch the full episode of WE3 The Winning Team Podcast “Being Busy Will Break You!

When couples feel near but far, the problem is rarely love. More often, it’s busyness disguised as purpose.

Our time in Miami became an intentional pause, a deliberate reset that exposed a truth WE had to face again. Being busy will break you if you are not careful. It can fracture connection, mute intimacy, and slowly pull your marriage off mission. WE were reminded that proximity does not equal connection. You can share the same space, the same calendar, even the same bed, and still miss each other emotionally.

Busyness creates motion without presence. And constant motion can hide emotional distance for years.

Through rest, prayer, and candid conversations, WE examined the stories WE had been telling ourselves about productivity, success, and doing “good things.” The goal was never a grand gesture. What our marriage needed was a renewed rhythm, fewer distractions, clearer motives, and daily choices that protect connection and shared purpose.

When Busy Becomes a Burden

One of the most sobering realizations was this. Good things can still break you when they are misprioritized.

Careers, parenting, service, and ministry matter, but they cannot replace attention at home. When busyness becomes a badge of honor, it quietly becomes a burden. WE asked ourselves a question that changed everything.

Whose vision are WE building, God’s or our own desires?

God-sized assignments often feel bigger than our capacity. They require faith, patience, and partnership. Personal ambition often feels urgent and self-driven. That distinction helped us reframe productivity as stewardship, not status. WE committed our plans to God, acknowledged seasons where parenting and careers eclipsed connection, and accepted a truth WE had to relearn. Rhythm beats perfect balance. Rhythm adapts to seasons without abandoning the covenant.

From Awareness to Action

Awareness without action does not create change.

WE are rewriting the vision and making it plain, breaking it into daily, weekly, and quarterly practices. WE are preparing to do better time-blocking with no-technology evenings, and committing to phone-free days. WE are working to identify all things that drains our attention, then establish boundaries to protect what mattered most.

Time is one of the rarest resources we have. WE decided to invest it first in our marriage, then in everything else. Whether written on paper or stored digitally, the act of writing clarified motives, strengthened accountability, and gave us a shared map for decision-making. When life pulled us off course, the plan helped bring us back.

Why Rest Is Resistance

Being busy will break you if rest is treated as optional.

Romans 12 challenged us to renew our minds instead of conforming to hustle culture. Matthew 6 reminded us to seek the kingdom first and trust God. That led to countercultural decisions, guilt-free rest, intentional pauses, and saying no to good opportunities to protect the best ones.

Unchecked busyness numbs awareness, dries affection, and can even justify neglect at home under the banner of doing good. Rest restores clarity. It protects intimacy. It strengthens faith. In marriage, rest is not laziness. It is obedience.

The Power of Intentional Pauses

Finally, WE leaned into intentional pauses.

Changing the scenery, whether a beach, a park, or a simple walk, interrupts autopilot and creates space to listen. If you work with your mind, rest with your hands. If you work with your hands, rest with your mind. These moments allow couples to prune distractions, revisit their assignment, and trust that God is ordering their steps.

Connection grows when attention is given, purpose is shared, and plans are prayed over. Presence will always matter more than proximity. A marriage on mission does not thrive by doing more. It thrives by choosing what matters most, together.

CLICK HERE to watch the full episode of WE3 The Winning Team Podcast “Being Busy Will Break You!


Marriage is often regarded as a milestone in life, meticulously planned, and celebrated. However, beyond the wedding day itself lies a multitude of conversations that should precede this monumental commitment. In the latest episode of our podcast, WE explore the multi-layered question, “Why do you want to get married”? It’s a question that extends beyond romantic notions of love and companionship; it’s about preparing for a lifetime of partnership, collaboration, and shared growth. In a society where the marriage rate is declining, and divorce rates hover around 50%, understanding the motivations and expectations behind marriage is more critical than ever.

Season 2 | Episode 1 – WE3 The Winning Team Podcast (click to view)

The episode opens with a powerful discourse on the purpose of a Christ-centered marriage. WE emphasize that if individuals are striving to emulate the qualities found in Christ, then the union itself will likely reflect those attributes. WE remind you that a marriage built on mutual faith and shared aspirations is more likely to withstand challenges. It’s about both partners focusing on elevating one another spiritually, rather than merely fulfilling traditional gender roles.

As the conversation unfolds, WE delve into the pros & cons of various motivations people have for getting married, such as:

  • Companionship & Intimacy: Finding a lifelong partner for emotional support, companionship, and intimacy.
  • Starting a Family: Building a family and raising children together.
  • Social Status & Tradition: Fulfilling societal expectations and adhering to traditional norms.
  • Financial Stability: Sharing financial responsibilities, pooling resources, and increasing financial security.
  • Legal and Social Benefits: Gaining legal rights and benefits, such as inheritance rights, healthcare benefits, and tax advantages.
  • Sense of Security and Stability: Finding a stable and secure partner for long-term companionship and emotional support.
  • Deepening Love and Commitment: Formalizing a committed relationship and expressing a lifelong commitment to one’s partner.
  • Building a Shared Life: Creating a shared home, building a life together, and experiencing life’s joys and challenges side-by-side.
  • Creating a Legacy: Building a family and passing on values and traditions to future generations.
  • Personal Growth: Learning, growing, and evolving as individuals within the context of a committed relationship.

Our discussion revealed that many individuals may feel the urge to get married simply because of the expectations placed upon them by family or cultural norms rather than an authentic desire to build a life together.

WE assert that each couple’s needs and desires are unique, and thus, they should not feel confined to follow a blueprint defined by societal expectations. Instead, WE propose several reflective questions aimed at encouraging individuals to think critically about their own motivations, such as “Did you like yourself as a child?” and “How did you learn to adjust to the differences in your partner without losing who you are?” These questions serve as prompts for deeper introspection, ultimately leading to stronger foundations within marriages.

Interdependence versus independence also comes under scrutiny as the hosts discuss common narratives surrounding independence, especially among women. The pressure to maintain individual autonomy while navigating a partnership is acknowledged as a significant challenge for many couples. However, the episode presents an alternative view—that true interdependence can lead to mutual growth and support. WE propose that understanding the importance of a balanced dynamic can foster healthier relationships, reminding you that, ultimately, vulnerability and open communication are essential to maintaining emotional intimacy.

In sharing insights from our own marriage, WE highlight that interdependence does not imply codependence; rather, it encourages partners to thrive together while embracing their individuality. This engaging dialogue ultimately sets the stage for the ongoing season, inviting you to engage and reflect on your paths toward marriage and relationships.

You are left with the challenge to reflect on your motivations for marriage, while also being encouraged to engage positively with season one of our podcast. As WE wrap up the episode, WE were clear on our mission: to initiate conversations that allow couples to explore the depths of their relationship, leading to more informed decisions when it comes to the sacred institution of marriage.

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Host
Eugene Gatewood
– Website – https://eugenegatewood.com
– YouTube: @Original_Mentor 
– Facebook: @Eugene.Gatewood
– Instagram: @Original_Mentor 
-TikTok: @elgatewood

LaTanya Gatewood
– Facebook: @LaTanya.Gatewood
– Instagram: @reddingl

Podcast Music by Micah Gatewood


In the sphere of marriage, the journey from “I do” to “WE still do” is often one paved with trials, tribulations, and triumphs.

In part 1 of our latest podcast episodes, WE, candidly share our experiences and revelations from the “A Weekend to Remember” Marriage Retreat. WE discussed our reflections from the marriage retreat, but with a deeper exploration of the dynamics that sustain and enrich long-term relationships, specifically marriage.

WE emphasized the significance of investing time and effort into a marriage (with a few funny stories to support), an investment that is often underestimated but is as crucial as any other aspect of life requiring attention and care.

“Maintenance is better than repair!”

WE draw a compelling parallel between maintaining the health of a vehicle through regular servicing and the necessity of nurturing a marriage to prevent breakdowns. Just as a car needs its oil changed and tires rotated, a marriage requires regular emotional and communicative maintenance to remain robust and vibrant.

As the dialogue unfolds, WE delve into the delicate balance of oneness and isolation in marriage, particularly through the lens of a Christian perspective.

WE dissect the societal pressures that advocate for individualism and how these can insidiously create a chasm between partners, despite their best intentions. The discussion underscores the fine line between healthy individuality and detrimental separation within the marital context, highlighting the importance of shared experiences that fortify the connection between spouses.

Further into the episode, WE explore the intricate dance of transparent communication. WE introduce listeners to a five-level model of sharing within a relationship, ranging from superficial cliches to the profound transparency that is the hallmark of a deeply connected couple.

5 LEVELS OF COMMUNICATION:

  • Cliche: Sharing surface conversation and small talk
  • Fact: Merely sharing what happen throughout your day
  • Opinion: Expressing what you think about what’s happening in your day and in the relationship.
  • Emotion: Conveying how what’s happening in life and/or your relationship is making you feel.
  • Transparency: Being vulnerable to share who you are with a willingness to understand one another.

WE recount personal struggles with communication barriers, including Eugene’s journey from emotional stonewalling to openness and LaTanya’s challenges with self-regulation. Through introspection and humility, WE illustrate how overcoming these hurdles has led to a more authentic and fulfilling partnership. You Can Do It Too!

WE share stories to demonstrate how couples can work together to maintain unity and prevent drifting apart.

Marriage is Hard, But Its Work It!

Concluding the episode, WE remind listeners that while marriage is hard work, it is indeed worth every effort. WE share our excitement to delve deeper into God’s model for marriage and WE encourage you to engage in a dialogue about the joys and challenges of matrimony.

The commitment to grow together is a choice that offers endless rewards. WE urge you to continually invest in your relationship.

This episode truly expresses how our marriage is a testament to the fact that the flame of love can burn brightly, even after decades of togetherness, with the right blend of intentionality, understanding, and dedication.