Conversation about Marriage...

"I just got home from work! Can I rest a bit? Is that TOO MUCH to ask?"

"I dealt with kids all day without any break. Excuse me for being lousy spouse and parent !"

If that sounds like your marriage, you are not alone with this misconception. I was part of a conversation a while ago with friends. One says a successful marriage consists of ongoing compromise. One give 50% and another give 50%; this considers to be mutual sharing. 

But... this is not marriage. One should give 100% and another should give 100%. You are all IN or you are not. 50% is like one shoe in one room and another one in another room. Give me something and I will give you something.

"Give me an hour of respite... then I will give you an hour of respite. Deal? Next thing we need to talk... who takes the first hour..."

Is THAT marriage? A picture of a true unity? 

OR is it 100% for each other. Furthermore, if you think about it... once you are a spouse, you are spouse for the life. There is no day off, there is no time off, there is no break, there is no vacation from being spouse. You don't stop to be a spouse. Just like a parent... once a parent, always a parent. Even if you are in the retreat, it does not stop you from being a spouse (or a parent as well). 

[arriving home from work with spouse mode on] "I see you are exhausted... what can I do?"  

[exhausting to the point of nearby breakdown] "I would love to get start with cook for a supper; can you give attention to our kids?"

You are in or you are not. 

As a happily married man, the marriage is worth... every of it. Everyday, I thank God for the marriage. I am blessed. Because I had opportunity to talk to someone about it, can we have a conversation about it as well?