Are We Flourishing As A Couple?
As we look around us, we see signs of new life everywhere. Spring is that time of the year when we see growth and flourishing in nature as the cycle of life continues to develop. In the same way, God invites us to experience this same growth and flourishing in every aspect of our lives. If our marriage and spiritual life has been dormant — stuck on cruise control — now is the time to give it new life and new strength. So ask yourselves: Are we flourishing as a couple?
Growing As A Couple
We understand that it may be difficult to address this challenge. We are all bred to avoid answers to difficult questions like, are we flourishing as a couple?
However, we cannot truly flourish in life if we do not face those difficult conversations head on.
If our relationships have been stuck due to routine, lack of enrichment or just simply boredom, now is the time to do something about it. What do we do when we see that a plant is not growing? What do we do with a tree that is not producing fruits? There are many things to do!
- We can dig the dirt around the plant and let the oxygen enrich the ground bringing new life to the plant. In our relationship, we can do the same! Take a close look around you and look for your support structure. Who supports your relationship? Friends? family? the Church? Reach out to them and set up a time to have a conversation about how the relationship is going. You will see that soon you will experience ‘new oxygen’ and new life in your relationship.
- When a plant is looking sad and withered, we can also add fertilizer, extra food that will bring new life to the plant. The same can happen in our relationship, sometimes we feel sad because we think our relationship is dying. There are things we can do to give our relationship that extra food it needs to flourish again. You and your spouse will need to determine what that is; is it marriage counseling? is it a couples’ retreat? is it more dates? What are you and your spouse craving for in your relationship? Remember to provide your relationship with the food it needs to flourish.
- Some plants and trees will need a little pruning to redirect the growth of the new sprouts. In our relationship, there are times when we also need to cut whatever is not healthy for the relationship. This is the time when we need to look at relationships, attachments, bad habits, or even interests that may not be beneficial for the relationship. It is time to cut whatever is not helping the relationship to grow and flourish.
God Is The Source Of Life
“Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it;9it may bear fruit in the future.” Luke 13: 8-9.
God really wants us to flourish, both individually and as a couple. The best way to do this is by staying close to him who is the source of eternal life. He is also the living water (John 7:37-39) that our relationship needs to continue thriving and flourishing.
So again, ask yourselves: Are we flourishing as a couple?
It is in him and in the Eucharist that we find the source and summit of life everlasting that we need to fulfil our mission as a married couple. Let us respond to His invitation to grow together as a couple!
Happy Spring!
