A Guide to Cultivating Growth in Your Marriage

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Ah, the wedding season! It is truly a special time of year when love and celebration fill the air. As we witness nature’s blooming flowers and vibrant colors, we are reminded of the beauty and joy that weddings bring.

Like tending to a garden, preparing for a wedding requires careful planning and attention to detail. As a wedding officiant, I appreciate the importance of this time not only for those eagerly looking forward to exchanging their vows but also for all of us who have experienced seasons of joy, change, and transition in our relationships.

In this season of weddings, let us be inspired by nature’s abundance and apply it to our own lives. May we remember that marriages, like gardens, also face challenges such as storms or droughts. But with patience, resilience, and continued care, we can weather those challenges together. Just like a garden needs nurturing to flourish, so does a marriage. Therefore, the commitment made on one’s wedding day is just the beginning of preparing for a lifelong journey together.

Just as plants need sunlight, water, and nourishment to grow, marriages require intentional effort and nurturing. Communication, understanding, compromise, and support form the essential nutrients for a healthy and thriving relationship. During more challenging times, it is crucial to remember that we are not alone on this journey. Marriage means that we have the support of a life partner to lean on when we stumble or fall. As Ecclesiastes 4:9 says: “two are better than one.” We are meant to overcome obstacles together and lift each other up.

This season serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough preparation - regardless of whether we are single, in a committed relationship, or happily married for years. Proper wedding planning should extend beyond just preparing for the big day and celebrating milestones. It should also involve looking ahead to our marriage and preparing ourselves for a lifetime filled with love and growth together.

In my work, I have witnessed the immense value of marriage readiness counseling or ongoing relationship enhancement at any stage of our journey. These practices offer invaluable opportunities to nurture our relationships, similar to tending a garden. By exploring our values, expectations, and communication styles, we can lay strong foundations that will allow our marriages to flourish and bear abundant fruits.

Regardless of whether we choose to seek guidance from our faith communities or independent practitioners, let us embark on this journey with open hearts and minds. Attending marriage readiness programs or seeking professional advice does not imply that something is wrong, nor should our focus be on finding fault or assigning blame. Instead, let us strive to cultivate profound understanding, empathy, and connection in order to nurture a marriage that is both fruitful and resilient.

So, my dear friends, as we joyfully embrace this wedding season and the interconnected theme of cultivation and growth, let us celebrate the profound beauty of companionship and personal development together. Let us lift each other up when we stumble, nourishing our marriages with boundless love, care, and understanding. And may our hearts overflow with gratitude for the abundance that our relationships bear each and every day…