Think about it.

THE STORY GOES THAT

the happy couple always raised cucumbers and made sweet pickles together. He loved to watch things grow. He studied seed catalogs in order to get the very best. The whole family prepared the soil, planted and nurtured the plants. She loved to make sweet pickles. She studied the best recipes and methods for preparing and preserving them.

They were a happy couple. All of their guests went home with a jar of their famous pickles. The church staff always had a good supply, too. People admired their “togetherness.”

Then one day the man died.

The next spring all the children returned home. They said, “Mother, we know how much you love to make pickles, so we are going to plant the garden for you. She smiled and said, “Thanks so much, but I only did it for your father. He loved growing cucumbers.”

The children were amazed. Because before he died, their father had mentioned to one of them that he didn’t really like growing cucumbers. He only did it to make their mother happy!

Is this a happy story? Or a sad one? I’m not sure.

In some ways it is happy. They were doing it for each other. It seems like they were fulfilling scripture.

“However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”

[1]

But it is also sad because they had not discovered how to share their changing needs and feelings with each other. Instead of growing, they were content to remain rooted in their routine.

Learning to share our feelings is important. The hurts. The joys. The cares. The triumphs. And learning to really listen to each other is equally vital. Open up! Listen up! It’s hard sometimes. But it’s really worth it.

“Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”[2]

And as long as we’re at it, why not practice our communication skills with the Master this month? Talk to him. And listen. Spend time together with the King. Let’s not stagnate spiritually. Let’s keep growing.

“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”[3]

Think about it.

Then let’s do something about it!

[1] Ephesians 5:33

[2] 1 Peter 3:7

[3] Romans 12:12