How Gardening Changed My Marriage (plus my favorite gardening accessories)
We arrived home from our family vacation 3:30 a.m. this morning. After getting just shy of 4 hours of sleep, it was not my intention - and not even on my radar - to do yard work in 85° weather. But strangely, I found a sense of rest and peace as I got down on my knees to pull the weeds that had settled in the week-long absence of our care.
My eyes were opened that day. It truly has set me on a path to radically change the way I “do” marriage, and I want to share what I learned with you. In this post, I’ll be discussing:
1 principle that radically changed the thought-life surrounding my husband and marriage
25 gardening tools and accessories that make me swoon
*Plus* gardening sets for your littles to learn alongside you
I don't particularly long for mindless and monotonous tasks like weeding, but I was thoroughly surprised by my joy in seeing the immediate result that my careful attention and efforts had produced. The garden now looked new and fresh and healthy. It was slow and tedious work, and my mind wandered as I went about my task.
Just a few days before, I came across a video posted by Lindsay Gurk on her Instagram page in which she shared how gardening (and weeding specifically) is a metaphor for life. I won't spoil her message, but as I began weeding for the first time, I thought of how her metaphor might be applied to my marriage - and to yours as well.
Metaphor and message aside for a moment…I have put together a list at the bottom of this post rounding up my favorite gardening gear and accessories! Click here if you just want the beautiful things.
My husband and I have been through a series of difficult life circumstances and events over the past five months, seemingly one rolling right into another. All I can write here is that it really took a toll on the strength of our marriage, and we both were left feeling drained and completely discouraged. So as I was already on my knees, and with Rin happily occupied, I started praying.
“Lord, I know that sin no longer has a hold over us.”
I pulled one weed up.
“Anger no longer has a hold on us.”
I pulled another out.
“Selfishness no longer has a hold on me.”
Another weed was untangled from the fruit growing up from the rich soil.
For every weed released from our garden, I felt a tangible lightness I hadn't quite felt in the same way for months. In weeding our garden, I was reminded of our freedom from sin.
God met me there amongst the dirt and weeds, laying before me a perfect visual of what He died on the cross for. God broke the bondage of all our sins - those weeds we let grow and become entangled in our marriage - and my husband is no longer bound by his temper, or I by my sharp tongue.
Though it did not feel like a grand epiphany at the time, I'm realizing in writing this just how profoundly this principle could change my marriage. It allowed me to sincerely and steadfastly hope. Hope that I could free myself of the weeds, that my husband would grow, and that neither of us were beyond God's grace and guidance to daily sanctify us. Hope that one day, He will bring us into a flourishing we've never felt before.
It will be a slow and tedious work, but I have true joy in knowing that my careful attention and efforts to thin the weeds will produce a new and fresh and healthy marriage - deep-rooted in the rich soil of Christ.
*DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my terms of use policy for more info.
As promised, here are some of my favorite gardening tools, accessories, and storage solutions. I hope you find this list helpful, whether you are a long-time fan or have just found your love of gardening. Looking for recommendations on something specific? I’ve put together a bulleted list to make your shopping easier.
Complete Sets for Just Starting Out
Some of my Favorite Tools
Gardening Aprons
(Really not necessary for smaller home gardens, but definitely nice to have and OH so cute!)
For Harvesting
For Sun Protection
My 2-year-old and I spent 2 hours outside weeding the garden and I could feel the burn on my shoulders. I've selected a few fashionable favorites for keeping the sun burn away.
Don't forget to get one for the kids, too!
Gardening Sets for the Kids
My daughter loves to see the garden, so we check on it daily and usually end up spending quite a while outside. I have used this opportunity to teach Rin about gardening. Her favorite part is using her little shovel to dig up a dirt patch we left untouched for her, and to seek out “little wormies”. She may not be ready to help Mama weed, but oh how it makes her light up to think that she is helping Mama in the garden! Here are some adorable gardening sets so you can involve your littles.
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