Is the Grass Greener on the Other Side of the Fence?

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From my deck my neighbor’s grass looks greener than ours, but I’ve learned that everything looks better from a distance. This is also true of people especially when we are unhappy with our spouse. When we observe people from a distance they might look really good, but when we are in relationship with them, we will discover they have many imperfections. Don’t be fooled by the “green grass” that you see in the distance. You can be sure that there are weeds, dead spots and dog poop over there, but you just can’t see it yet.

I think you would agree that it would be foolish to re-sod your yard every time you get a few weeds or some dead spots or step in some dog poop. Likewise, it's foolish to get a divorce every time you face a few trials or feel like your love is dead or when you step into some stinky situations.

Many marriages have been ruined because an unhappy person compared their close-up view of their spouse to the seemingly flawless distant view of another person. I can tell you emphatically that the grass is NOT greener on the other side of the fence! If you’ll invest as much time, money, and love into your current marriage as you would invest in a new relationship, you’ll reap the rewards of a great marriage.

Ephesians 5 - ³³ However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (NKJV)

Let’s Pray: Flawless Father, Help me see my spouse and myself through Your eyes. Help me love my spouse as You have loved me – to death. Don't allow me to be deceived by the perception of "greener grass". In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Have a Victorious Day!

Marianne

QUESTION: What do you do when the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence? Use the comment form below to share your thoughts.

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Tags: Divorce, Invest, Love, Marriage, Relationships, Spouse, Trials

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Comment by Marianne Clements on October 12, 2012 at 8:48am: Yes, we reap what we sow.

Have a Victorious Day!

Marianne

Comment by Rich Avery on October 11, 2012 at 9:20pm: "If you’ll invest as much time, money, and love into your current marriage as you would invest in a new relationship, you’ll reap the rewards of a great marriage."

Marianne, that's a million dollar quote right there!!! So true.

Comment by Marianne Clements on October 11, 2012 at 12:01pm: Ann and Peter,

Everybody has issues, so getting involved with a new person isn't going to do anything except introduce different issues -- maybe worse issues. If we will focus on making the best of what we have then we will probably have a great marriage even though we are sure to encounter some occasional weeds, dead spots and dog poop!

Have a Victorious Day!

Marianne

Comment by Ann Musico on October 11, 2012 at 11:45am: Marianne I love the way you applied the analogy to marriage (especially the dog poop part!). You share a great deal of common sense and wisdom here. I think people get divorced over the craziest things and WAY too quickly anymore! It's especially amazing to me how many couples married 25+ years all of a sudden deciding they don't want to be together any more.

Comment by Peter A Ferguson on October 11, 2012 at 6:52am: The resod analogy is a good one, I hadn't heard that before. I am finding that happiness in life is achieved when we are grateful for what we have and focus on improving what we have instead of looking over the fence. It takes a lot of work to live a great life - I'm thankful that I'm not much tempted by my neighbor's grass, because I am too focused on enjoying my own.