A Garden Love Story

A companion book to Growing A Successful Marriage Through Faith, also by Charlie L. Jones, this unique premarital counseling tool is presented in the form of an easy-to-read story. Young and impressionable, Daisy Cabbage Head resides in Mr. Goodson's garden with other vegetables. She has reached the age of courtship and is looking for a relationship that may lead to marriage. But how to choose the best helpmate, given all the suitors in the garden? Each vegetable represents a personality type she might consider as a partner. Who would make a good husband? She soon realizes that first her heart must be cultivated by her gardener to receive the seed of faith, for she must be well-grounded in faith in order to make the best decisions.

The lessons learned by Daisy also apply to humans seeking long-term relationships. Readers are invited to read each section of the book, then answer corresponding questions in the "Vegetable Soup" section. The "Food For Thought" section provides space for the reader to write their thoughts about issues. The "Gumbo" section encourages you to analyze the type of relationship you have, and demonstrates that even in a tumultuous marriage, trials are sometimes the soil in which faith grows. All things work for the good for those who love the Lord, and all things are possible if the Holy Spirit is your guide.

The book stresses the need for a healthy lifestyle in mind (emotional), body (nutritional), and soul (spiritual). Biblical Scriptures and Proverbs are used to illustrate the stages of spiritual maturity. Role reversal is used to make the story gender-friendly and to address role ambiguities and double standards in courtship.

The book is for anyone wanting to build relationships based on Biblical principles. It provides instruction on how to look beyond another's physical appearance, social status, and accomplishments, and allow God to let them see their spiritual essence. That is the best way to ensure a relationship will stand the trials of life and the test of time. Teens over 16 will also enjoy the story, and it's a non-threatening way for parents to address issues relevant to them, such as bullying, respecting authority figures, and self-esteem, and can be used to encourage better nutritional choices and promote a love for gardening.