Biblical Answer

The Garden of Relationships

The garden of relationships is a beautiful and delicate place that requires attention and care. When life gets busy, it's easy to neglect our relationships, but this can lead to withering and dying connections. In order to tend the garden of relationships, we must prioritize them and make time for one another.

One way to tend the garden of relationships is to practice selflessness and become more connected with each other. We must learn to put others' needs before our own and be interested in our spouse's or friend's call and purpose. This requires effort and commitment, but it's essential for nurturing and renewing our relationships. As Kathy and I have said, "When you see the problems in each other, do you just want to run away, or do you find a desire to work on them together?" If we choose to work on our problems together, we have the makings of a strong and healthy relationship.

In addition to practicing selflessness and connection, we must also learn to navigate disappointments, illnesses, and other difficulties together. This is where our relationships are truly tested, and it's essential to recover our equilibrium faster and support each other through the tough times. By prioritizing our relationships and making time for one another, we can cultivate a garden of loving connections that bring joy and fulfillment to our lives. As the Bible says, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) By following these principles and prioritizing our relationships, we can create a garden of love and connection that brings glory to God and joy to our lives.