“I won’t have any problems in my marriage,” my 19 year old
informs me. I try not to laugh, but his
statement is so naïve—so ludicrous—that I can’t control the chuckle that
escapes me.
“Every marriage has problems. It’s the nature of the beast. It is impossible to bring two people together
from completely different backgrounds with different life experiences,
different temperaments—not to mention the difficulties that arise from just
being different genders—and try to live as one. In fact, it is nearly impossible.
“
“Well, you and Dad seemed to make it work.”
“Only because we never wanted a divorce at the same time.”
And that is the reality of marriage. Matrimony can be messy. It takes work and
dedication. It takes perseverance. It takes humility. But most importantly, it
takes faith. Marriage is the most
difficult and the most rewarding relationship you will ever be in. However, it
doesn’t just “happen.” Like any living thing, it needs to be nourished and
nurtured. Without those elements, it will die.
Many people look upon my marriage and imagine that Woody and
I have it all figured out. We get along
so well and we never complain. Heck, I wrote a book about intimacy, so I must
have it all figured out, right? Wrong. Marriage never survives on cruise
control. In fact, it will crash and burn with devastating results. Every day,
we must dedicate our lives to living inside of God’s will for our union; and every
day, we must both commit ourselves to the demanding role of “spouse.”
If you are looking for the fairy tale ending, marriage will
disappoint. If you are disillusioned enough to believe that marriage can be
trouble free, think again. Anyone who tells you he or she has an effortless marriage
is lying. Marriage takes determination, but through the struggle comes
satisfaction and great reward.