I have to admit, this year I haven’t put in the time and my garden looks a bit like Jurassic Park . . . minus the dinosaurs. Although there is one rabbit that keeps evading us and chewing on everything. Obviously he doesn’t know how much I like Tarragon Rabbit in cracked pepper cream sauce! One of these days . . .
Still, we’re getting some produce and it’s . . . awesome! Have you ever bit into a deep red, vine-ripened tomato picked straight from the garden? How about going out early in the morning to pick a fat watermelon? It’s so good! But, the best of what a garden can offer doesn’t happen by itself, does it? It takes work. No one is surprised to see a neglected garden full of weeds and pests doing poorly.
. . . Which brings me to a question: Is your wife thriving? Is she radiant? Is she confident that she is deeply loved and valued by you? What would she say if asked this question? Does she feel close and connected with you or are you both just trudging through your week, keeping the wheels on the wagon/the gears turning – like good business partners?
Think about it before you answer. A beautiful garden is admired by everyone, but it doesn’t happen without a lot of attention, watering, weed-pulling, and carefully invested time. Your marriage is exactly the same. The way it grows is a result of how you nurture and care for it. So, how is your marriage growing? How is the garden of your wife’s heart?
In a Church given the command, “Love your wife as Christ loved the Church and gave himself for her,” there can be no excuse for a wife who isn’t supremely loved, deeply cherished, and greatly valued.
Are you investing in the most important relationship you’ll have this side of heaven? Does your wife know explicitly (through action, not just words) that you deeply love and value her? Don’t waste time. Call/text her right now . . . set aside time this afternoon/evening – Don’t let today go by without speaking into her heart. If you need a little help with that, check out the books 100 Ways to Love Your Wife and 100 Words of Affirmation Your Wife Needs to Hear.
Also, be sure to check out our latest FAITHFUL LIFE podcast episode: How You Can Stay Close and Connected in These Busy (and troubled) Times.
Matt Jacobson is a biblical marriage coach, founder of FaithfulMan.com a biblical marriage, parenting, and discipleship ministry providing written and audio teaching, as well as couples marriage coaching. He is also the creator of FREEDOM Course, an 8 session class, including a workbook, where he teaches men the biblical path to finding total victory from pornography and sexual sin. He is the co-host (with his wife, Lisa) of Faithful Life Podcast and is author of the bestseller, 100 Ways to Love Your Wife. Matt is pastor of Cline Falls Bible Fellowship and is married to Lisa, founder of Club31Women.com (they have 8 kids!).