Six years ago, I bought a plant. I placed it inside the house and took care of it. I watered it regularly, removed the dead leaves, trimmed the branches and fed it fertilizer. The plant grew and it was beautiful to look at.
Last year, we moved the plant to our new house. In a few weeks, its leaves started falling off one by one. Then, the branches began to dry. I thought perhaps that it was adjusting to the new house temperature. But it showed no signs of recovery. This summer, Jojo pruned it and moved it to a new pot.
The plant is now dead. I wonder how a plant that has grown strong roots and flourished for five years can still die just because of a change in environment.
Last weekend, Jojo and I attended a marriage retreat (part 2 of the one we attended in April). The talks made me realize that no matter how long you’ve been married, you need to keep working on your relationship. Life here in Canada presents new challenges which can break even the strongest marriage. Pressures of adjusting to a new culture, finding a job, taking care of the family, doing house chores, coping with homesickness, can create a lot of friction. Even a difference in work schedules can make a couple feel emotionally separated. (This is a common scenario – wife works days, husband works nights or vice versa.)
Just as a plant needs regular care, a marriage needs constant nurturing in order to survive. Though I can no longer save my plant, I can do my part to keep our marriage alive and well. I pray that I will be a better wife than gardener.
Happy the husband of a good wife, twice-lengthened are his days; A worthy wife brings joy to her husband, peaceful and full is his life. A good wife is a generous gift bestowed upon him who fears the LORD; Be he rich or poor, his heart is content, and a smile is ever on his face. (Sirach 26:1-4)
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