We recently did a hard pruning in our yard. All plants were cut back, except for our azaleas that are showing off this year. They will be pruned later.

The first cut is always the hardest.

Once you start you’re committed to finish, no matter how tired I may be.

In marriage pruning is necessary too.

Each year we should stand back and look over our relationship. Where are we struggling to connect? Is it emotionally? Spiritually? Physically?

Try sharing this post with your spouse and see if they have some thoughts on it. We don’t know unless we ask. And they may not realize there’s a problem until you ask.

Problems are like overgrowth. We all have it. It’s what we do with it that separates strong relationships from weak ones.

In a strong relationship the problem is considered together like looking at your garden. What things are choking the marriage? I’ve noticed that when my mood suddenly changes it’s good to pause and ask myself what caused it? Oftentimes Tom said something that either hurt my feelings or my pride.

Both need to be addressed but differently—feelings must be discussed to reach a place of understanding. This is where growth happens in marriage. Pride on the other hand needs to be killed; it’s like a weed that will ruin your relationship.

Pride is a choking vine. Kill it or it will kill intimacy and maybe even your marriage.

Spring is the time for fresh beginnings. We pray this is true for your marriage.