"He shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient." — Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution

I like politics, but this particular annual event bores me to tears. It’s supposed to be an informative event, telling the nation where we stand, but it’s actually a huge pep rally for the party in charge, punctuated every couple of minutes by standing ovations. No thanks.

But I am very interested in another “State of the Union.”

One that should be done much more often than annually -- even monthly! This is the “State of the Union” that a husband and wife share. Genesis 2:24 is, in my opinion, the most important verse in the Bible on marriage. It says,

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother, and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

After marriage, there are no longer two teams, each vying to scratch out a win, but one team. One flesh. One union. Fighting together, against any enemy, foreign or domestic, that would try to do the union harm.

Often couples fight, and say things they are thinking, about money, and sex, and romance, and kids. But because they are angry, they say things to hurt and wound, not for resolution. Not to build up the union.

So I propose a regular (perhaps monthly) “State of the Union” date. This can be at Starbuck’s, or a restaurant, or the dinner table after the kids are asleep. It’s not done during a war. And you talk about the Union. How’s the money? The sex? Tithing? Devotions? Talk about the kids. Career dreams. Talk about plans for the future. Tell your spouse some things they are doing well...and a couple of areas in which they could grow. Because you are not discussing these things during a fight, the goals are to HONESTLY ASSESS and IMPROVE the Union. In love. In peace.