The Grass is Greener . . . Where You Water It

The Grass is Greener...

I love the quote "The grass is greener where you water it." It is especially appropriate this time of year when Wyoming is lush and green. I love the smell of lilacs and the wet earth as everything comes back to life after an incredibly long winter. It's rhubarb and asparagus season and I can't wait to see the green shoots pop their little heads above the soil. I enjoy looking over the fence to sneak a peek at the neighbor's garden and kibbutz about garden plans. Tulips and daffodils are in full bloom and life couldn't be better.

...Where You Water It.

Like Mary Frances, I know it takes a lot of nurturing to get much to grow in this high desert climate and once we hit mid June, significant moisture doesn't return until the snow flies. Mother Nature is doing the nurturing on this soaker of a Saturday morning as we sit and watch the rain drip off the gutter and ponder the ways in which we nurture our marriage. How do we water it, tend to it's needs, savor it's goodness? Do I till the weeds in my own heart? Do we tend to our marriage as we do the garden in good times and bad, in sickness and in health?

A little tender loving care lavished on Tom, a shoulder rub, favorite meal or intimate time together goes a long way, especially when I'm tired or grumpy, or when it is not convenient. Just like sprinkling manure is not my favorite chore as on a hot day it has a bit of a stench; but it does wonders! A heart felt compliment about Tom, especially when it is made to others while he is standing right there is like rich, specially compounded fertilizer. Just what those tender shoots or withering leaves need. Top it off with a little water, a squeeze and a hug and watch it grow!

Mary Frances is the weeder, but even I know water cannot reach a plant that is choked and overgrown by weeds or needs a good pruning. Do I work to prune away my old wood? Can I let go of old hurts, and truly forgive so that I can move on? Weeds of resentment, jealousy, even weeds of low self esteem can choke and suffocate our marriage and prevent nurturing water from soaking deeply into the roots of the love that we promised on our wedding day. Have you watered your marriage today? What do you need to do to allow the nurturing water of love to bear fruit in your relationship?