In a recent article I read, there is one word that far exceeds the rest, revealing the secret to a glorious marriage.

Can you begin to guess what it possibly is?

Love. Respect. Loyalty. All good guesses.

But when I read what it was, it made perfect sense. It’s the kind of word that encompasses both the depths of our hearts and the haven of our thoughts.

Goodwill.

Noun. – a kindly feeling of approval and support: benevolent interest or concern

By now you’ve most likely measured yourself up to this scale of goodwill. Very quickly you see this quality is also a reflection of who we are.

Goodwill is the substance of deeper things. The fruit on the vine. And when we are rooted in the goodness of God, the acts and intentions of goodwill come more easily, ready at the surface to spill over.

Our spouses can sense our goodwill or our lack of it. They know whether we act out of compulsion of a mandate or because our hearts are turned toward them in sincerity. The difference is massive yet subtle. And we see it greatest in our responses.

Do we act in support of them? Kind affection? If they are looking for something, do we belittle their question? Or is our goodwill brimming over that we respond simply and kindly. Are our words drenched in grace? Do we ignore them or remain attentive for their good? For their good… think on that. Are we so sure we are justified that we forget love endures all things, believes all things and hopes all things? God’s word says love does not keep a record of wrongs. If we do maintain such a hellish ledger, our goodwill is about as good as used sheets. We are imposters of the goodwill we declare.

Without goodwill we hold most people in contempt, husbands and wives included, hardly ever trusting. Our ability to find the good is lost on our plight for personal righteousness – safe from vulnerability.

Ironically, when we live like this, it is the people closest to us that struggle to trust us also. Because they know we choose not to see the good or find it.

But the antidote remains. For God demonstrated His own love for us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. His intentions for us never wavered. And so, we are made able to do the same. Because of His ability. For His name’s sake, have a little faith! For He giveth more grace.

Goodwill is like the banks of a river. How much you have in your life will most assuredly set a course in your relationships, your joy and the health of the fruit on the vine. Your children will thrive and grow under your goodwill toward them OR cower and wilt without it. Your spouse will remain at a distance, forever holding their tenderness out of reach OR they will believe your goodwill and open up their hearts. It’s a glorious place to live where life is not a fight, but a dance. Where forgiveness flows freely, and the table is set with hope and love. Consider the implications in your marriage and in your children with such a glorious feast.

Final thoughts are these: upon the announcement of Christ’s birth, it was goodwill that was declared, assuring men of God’s intentions. “Glory to God and peace on earth, goodwill to men.” The kind of goodness that lays down one’s life for another. Now imagine your heart so filled, that perhaps you rephrase and say, “Glory to God, peace in our home and goodwill to my husband.” – Are those your intentions? Start today.