As summer comes to an end, lets reflect on our experience this season. Emotionally, we may have experienced feelings of happiness, satisfaction, accomplishments, and connection.

In this season, the gardener reaps the benefits of what has been planted and nurtured in Spring. The satisfaction of reaping the benefits from the seeds you’ve planted, the accomplishment of your marriage flourishing, and the connection we feel with our spouse.

Dr. Chapman stated how marriage is like flowers: they are beautiful but must be watered. We must continue to water our marriage in order to experience an extended summer season by maintaining what we have attained. In order to enjoy the beauty of summer, we will need an attitude of work and growth. The warmth of a relaxed atmosphere helps produce positive actions.

As we continue to “water our flowers”, we should consider constructive (open) communication; allow each other the freedom to be different; attend marriage seminars and read books on marriage together; and most of all, stimulate our spiritual growth.

We need to watch for yellow jackets in the summer. They love to nest beneath the surface. This is a ground-nesting wasp that will attack if threatened. Yellow jackets represent unresolved conflicts that has been buried under our daily routine. If threatened, this may cause an argument in our summer season. Dr. Chapman provides practical ideas for getting rid of Yellow Jackets in Strategy 4: “Develop the Awesome Power of Empathetic Listening” of his book. I look forward to sharing the final season of Part I of Dr. Gary Chapman’s “The Four Seasons of Marriage”.

Until Next time,
Thank you for sharing…A MOMENT WITH MELISSA!