At one time or another I think that most of us have wanted a puppy. When we were kids we may have seen one in a pet store window or some lost stray followed us home. Our hearts were melted by those big brown eyes and that cute little face. We asked (probably begged) our parents if we could have one. Of course, because parents understand more about puppies than we did when we were kids, they resisted. So, we upped the ante. We promised to feed them every day and to always clean up after them. But our parents may have continued to say “No.” But why? Are parents just natural killjoys?
You see there is a profound truth at work here and it is this: “Everybody falls in love with the front end of the puppy. But there is a backend.” That backend represents the work and effort that is required if we are going to successfully and joyfully raise a puppy.
Similarly, people easily get enthralled with the idea of getting married. Engagements are exciting and weddings can be beautiful. However, like the puppy, there is a side of marriage that requires commitment and work through challenging times and difficult struggles. And yet, like the puppy, if we are willing to do the work, marriage can be the most satisfying relationship of our life. I encourage you to ask yourself this week – “What is one thing that I can do to better take care of this most precious relationship?”