I wrote not long ago about Lori Hatcher’s devotional on Prayer. Now she and her husband have created a devotional for couples, Moments with God for Couples. I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but I asked Lori to come on over to the blog and share the advantages of couples taking a few minutes together with God. Keep reading to see what she has to say.
“Something happened in the tenth year of our marriage that changed the course of our relationship.“
Lori Hatcher
Finding Time for Moments with God, Together
To celebrate the launch of their new book, Moments with God for Couples, 100 Devotions for Drawing Closer to God and Each Other (Our Daily Bread Publishing), author Lori Hatcher shares the story behind the book in her husband, David’s words:
For years we’d wanted to have a devotional time together but couldn’t figure out how to make it happen. In the morning, I (David) left early while Lori stayed in bed to capture those last precious moments of sleep before the kids awakened. Dinner, baths, and bedtimes consumed our evenings. Once the girls were asleep, all we wanted to do was relax. We tried reading in bed before we turned out the lights. But one or both of us would inevitably fall asleep—sometimes in mid-sentence.
One day, eyeing the latest couples’ devotional we’d bought for Christmas, Lori suggested a fresh approach. “What if I get up with you and fix a light breakfast while you shower? If you eat while I read the daily devotion, you could still leave for work on time.” We decided to give it a try.
Almost three decades later, we still begin most days with a simple breakfast, a five-minutes-or-less devotional reading, and a quick prayer. The practice has taken commitment on both our parts, but it’s been worth it. When we start our day with Bible-centered reading and prayers, God focuses our minds on Him, knits our hearts together, and prepares us for the day ahead.
We experience the truth of Jesus’ words,
“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
Lori and I never imagined we’d be writing a couples’ devotional, yet here we are. Not because we have all the answers, but because, as C.S. Lewis once said, we’re “one beggar showing another beggar where to find bread.”
Our marriage is far from perfect, but, by God’s grace, it has stood the test of time. We’ve survived many of the challenges families face today and have grown in our love for God and each other. We’ve made a lot of mistakes, too. We’ll share some of them on the pages to follow, along with the lessons God taught us through them. That way you can skip the pain and go straight to the blessing.
Our prayer is that as you read each Moment with God devotion, He will draw you one step closer to Himself and to each other.
Love,
David and Lori
Invite God into your marriage with this 100-day devotional specifically created to draw you closer to your spouse and to God.
Whether you’ve been married for a month or 50 years, reclaim the joy in your relationship that sometimes gets lost amid personality differences, moments of pride, and life circumstances. From the Moments with God series, this volume will help you and your spouse make space to reflect Christ in your marriage every day through relatable stories, relevant Bible verses, and practical applications.
It’s time to strengthen your relationship with God and each other by replacing day-to-day disappointments and offenses with the love and grace that can only come from Him.
Moments with God for Couples 100 Devotions for Growing Closer to God and Each Other
Whether you said “I do” four months or forty years ago, the day-to-day disappointments and offenses of any two people doing life together are commonplace. Even when you intend to give each other your best, the joy in your marriage sometimes gets lost amid personality differences, moments of pride, and life circumstances.
In 100 devotions that can be read together or individually, recommit to your spouse with the love and grace that can only come from God. Through relatable stories, relevant Bible passages, and practical applications, you’ll discover new ways to reflect Christ in your marriage every day. Available at Our Daily Bread, Christianbook.com, and Amazon.
Author Bios
David Hatcher serves as the unofficial armchair quarterback from South Carolina for the Dallas Cowboys. He’s been married to Lori, his first wife, since 1984. Together they have two married adult daughters, two terrific sons-in-law, and four amazing grandchildren. Since David surrendered his life to Christ at 17, he’s served the church in almost every role from janitor to youth director, to senior pastor. Today he works as the bi-vocational minister of a small church in Columbia, South Carolina. A graduate of Liberty University, David adds his life verse, Philippians 1:6 to every signature: “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.” A great day for David includes hitting the chains on a disc golf course, hiking in the mountains, and hanging out with his grandkids.
Connect with him at 4xHatchers@gmail.com.
Lori Hatcher is an author, women’s ministry speaker, and career dental hygienist. Now she points people to Christ, the One who has changed the world forever. Married to David for almost 40 years, she works alongside him to encourage and equip believers. Lori earned a degree in Science in Dental Hygiene, but she received her greatest education while homeschooling their two daughters from birth to college. She believes in the power of story to connect real life to spiritual truth. This shows in her story-driven devotionals. Her first book Our Daily Bread, Refresh Your Faith, Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible, has resonated with believers of all ages. Several more have followed. A great day for Lori includes a prayer walk with David, a meal she doesn’t have to cook, and one-on-one time with family members or friends.
Connect with her on her blog, LoriHatcher.com.\
Pastor’s Wife (retired) & Chronic Pain Warrior blogs about how to make it through anything by relating her own life experiences to her writing. She is passionate about her love for the Lord and desires to spread that passion to others. She has a great desire to encourage women who are following behind her.
