The Forest and the Trees (Ephesians 5:28)

I have known my wife for twenty years and married for nineteen of those years. She has blessed me in countless ways. Yet, we still have our disagreements. Conflict is inevitable in any relationship and ours is no different. God has created us with differences, but for an important purpose. As I reflect upon our differences, I have realized that many of our disagreements derive from our differences in approaches and outlook. I like to think of myself as a forest, big picture person. She is a tree, detailed person.

Recently, she and I both attended a meeting with a business partner of our family. We were able to preview the proposal the evening before.  Our differences in outlook were never better displayed. While I thought the overall proposal was good, my wife teased out critical details that sweetened the deal for us. Her acumen and astute powers of observation were obvious to everyone in attendance. As I declared at the meeting, “I see the forest but my wife picks out the individual trees that are diseased and not doing well. She makes the forest better!”

In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

Ephesians 5:28 (ESV)

When I stop to reflect and meditate upon God’s design for husband and wife, His reason for marriage stands firm. God has created us with differences to complement and complete one another, not to divide and isolate. So often when conflict arises in our relationship, I lapse into my old habits of trying to change her to match my outlook rather than take the time to rejoice in the differences and accept God’s leading. My wife and I are one body as we are both part of the body of Jesus Christ.

My wife makes the forest better and she makes me a better person to serve and honor God and care for our marriage.

Praise God for His love and mercy for blessing me with my wife!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.