Intent Ministries

Looking to be intentional in your marriage?

Buffalo's weekend to Remember Marriage conference is March 21-23. Use Group Name "Intent" for $100 off the regular price.

Invest now - feel free to use this group name for any weekend to remember nearest you!

https://events.familylife.com/event/Buffalo2025/regProcessStep1?_gl=1*1acass9*_gcl_au*MTI4OTEzOTcxLjE3Mjg2OTM4MDI.*_ga*NjQ4NjgzNDY5LjE3Mjg2OTM4MDI.*_ga_85G8JM3S5D*MTcyOTM4NTI1NS4zLjEuMTcyOTM4NTM5OC41Ny4wLjEwNDI0OTQ2MTc.

Expectations…the killer of a good time!

Amanda here on this Married Monday to talk to you about something I have definitely had to learn a lot about throughout our marriage…lowering expectations.
I will never forget my first birthday as Tom’s girlfriend. I thought it would be this magical and romantic day! Well little did I know… gift giving is NOT Tom’s strong suit. Let’s just say the night ended with me crying in the bathroom because my expectations had ruined the small thoughtful gestures he had tried to make. That birthday marked the first of MANY holidays to come where I would end up crying from disappointment because he did not meet my expectations, until….we finally communicated them!

Of course I would love if my husband could read my mind and remember every detail about me but just like I can’t do that for him, he definitely can’t do that for me. So it’s important to really communicate exactly what’s important to you. Once you do that, lower your expectations so that you aren’t dooming yourself to disappointment. However, lowering expectations doesn’t mean lowering your standards of how each of you can and should love each other. When you lower your expectations it simply allows your spouse the freedom to bless and surprise you without fear that they won’t meet your high or sometimes unrealistic expectations.

So let’s break this down and give an example. Let’s say your anniversary is coming up. A week or two before hand, have a conversation about how you want the day to look and make notes for each other in your phone.
Do you want flowers? What kind? Are you both planning on giving each other gifts? If so, what’s your budget? Do you want to go out to eat or stay in to eat? Do you want a romantic fancy kind of night or something fun and active. Plan the night together and then have that as your expectation.

Just like the saying goes, “If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail” the same is true for marriage. Lower your expectations, communicate your hopes and plan for a great time with your spouse!

Welcome to our page! This account is all about being intentional no matter the season you are in.

* Single? Be intentional! Use this season of your life to grow, to heal, to learn and to mature. You might feel like this season will last forever where in reality, it’s only a small chunk of your life’s timeline, so use it wisely.

* Dating? Are you dating with a purpose? Are you just hanging out because he makes you laugh or she fulfills a need? Or are you intentionally asking the question of “can I see this person as a life partner?”

* Married? After that blissful wedding day has come to an end, the real work must take place. Are you intentionally working towards healthy communication and intimacy with your spouse?

* Got kids? This account is for you too! Just when you thought you had patience, kids come along and show you how much you lack it. Are you raising future adults or just surviving? Do you intentionally look for their gifts and talents to draw out? Do they get your best or your left overs?

We will be sharing content for each of these areas because there is SO much to learn while in the midst of each of these seasons.

Tell us- which season are you in?