A week ago, we received word our daughter was going to be induced due to a low level of amniotic fluid, so we began the thousand mile drive to North Carolina. Fortunately, labor and delivery went well and our grandson, Wes, was born the next morning. We enjoyed four days with him before returning home to Arkansas late last night after a 16+ hour drive.

When I woke up this morning and looked outside, my grass looked like I’d been gone for much longer than a week. Actually, the grass is fine. The problem is the weeds.

Even though I’d recently mowed the lawn and put down some fertilizer and weed killer, the yard doesn’t look good. The problem is that I didn’t use any weed killer last fall. I allowed the weeds to gain a foothold.

I’m sure you’ve noticed that if you do nothing, weeds will flourish and grass won’t. Growing weeds takes no effort at all. Just sit back, relax and soon your yard will be overcome with them.

On the other hand, a healthy lawn requires time, effort and at least a little bit of money. It doesn’t just happen on its own.

Marriage is the same way. If I do nothing, Robyn and I will drift apart and begin to experience serious issues in our relationship. Misunderstandings will increase. Our love for each other will grow cold. Selfishness will take root and grow stronger. Communication will suffer. Our sex life will become stale.

Stop for a moment and consider your marriage. What does it resemble? Would you describe it as a thick, lush lawn? Or a yard full of weeds? Most of us would probably say we’re somewhere in between, but would your spouse agree with your assessment?

Matthew 7:7-8 says…

 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”

On the other hand, if we don’t ask, we don’t receive. If we don’t seek, we don’t find. If we don’t knock, the door remains shut. Do nothing and we get the results of doing nothing. Do nothing to build a stronger marriage and it’ll just get weaker.

How active and intentional are you when it comes to building a stronger marriage? I’m not just talking about praying, although that’s certainly a good thing to do, I’m talking about intentionally loving and serving one another. I’m talking about putting your spouse before yourself, communicating more, resolving conflicts appropriately and keeping your sex life fresh and exciting.

If your marriage is in need of some weed killer and fertilizer and you’re not sure where to begin, let me encourage you to download a free copy of my book, “Friend and Lover.” You can click here to get it. If it feels like you might need a little more help, then please check out my marriage coaching page. I would love to help you put together a game plan for building the kind of marriage you desire.