How can an injured back and a Scout hiking trip that you don’t even attend
improve your marriage?

The night before my husband and son were to leave for a winter campout in
the mountains, my husband was doing some last minute tasks when his back
suddenly began hurting.  I went upstairs to find him lying flat on his
back, unable to move. Not exactly where you want to be the night before a
hiking trip with a bunch of Boy Scouts.

By morning, he stiffly got ready and couldn’t even lean over to tie his
shoes. I couldn’t imagine how he could hike six miles with a pack on his
back, but he was determined since it was our son’s first big outing and
the troop was counting on him.

This fierce determination to push himself is not his typical character,
but then I realized what had happened. Our roles have changed. When our
children were babies, I would be up multiple times in the night, rocking
them and soothing away the pain and fear. Even when I didn’t “feel like
it”, it was what I did because they needed me. Now they’ve been sleeping
through the night for years, and most of the time would choose to hang out
with Dad rather than spend time with me. I have seen my role shifting, but
did not realize that I was trading places with my husband. Now I am the
one in the background, keeping the pieces together while he is in the
forefront, providing the needed security. He went, not because he wanted
to, but because he knew he had to. That I understand.

The hiking trip ended with two happy Scouts, one admiring wife, and one
stronger marriage.  It was definitely a trip worth taking.

You can read more from Lisa at Wisdom Pursuit!

backpack photo credit: kevindooley