The problem with marriage is that while it is the most critical relationship, the strongest and yet most fragile (because of the devastation it can cause when it ends), it is also the relationship that we tend to give lesser amounts of attention.
Part of the joy of marriage is having someone who can love you as you are, to whom you don’t have to prove yourself, to whom you can use as a shelter. To love and be loved has got to be one of the greatest things to aspire to in life.
But just think about some of the other relationships in your life. Are you working hard within them? Do you try to impress your boss or relate to your employees? Do you make an effort to establish and nurture proper relationships in the workplace? What about friends? Do you make an effort to do things to support your friends, hang out with your friends, nurture your friendships? Do you call your friend during the day to check in and see how she is handling a particular problem? These are all good things of course. The happiest people are those that have good relationships with others, and these relationships are important.
Now think about your marriage. After a day of nurturing relationships, do you come home and flop silently on the couch? Do you ignore your spouse to get dinner ready, homework supervised, the kids ready for bed? How often do you take the time to nurture your most critical relationship? I think we tend to feel complacent in our marriages. How many people who are in a divorce situation are almost shocked at how quickly they got there?
Marriages are wonderful places that are just full of potential, both as relationships and for the individuals involved. Make sure that you take out some time each day to nurture your most critical relationship.
You can read more blog posts by Mary Ann Romans here!
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