We have heard of many people who jump into marriage quickly without fully understanding and realizing the seriousness of this lifestyle. Lots of couples feel in love, stop there and say “nothing else matters as long as we’re together.”
Does this sound familiar?
Next thing we know, some of them have broken up. Why? Didn’t they just say, “As long as we’re together?” From this statement alone, it appears that they were not properly informed and informed of what the marriage was all about and their role as husband and wife.
When the honeymoon ends, the truth begins.
Marriage is not a game or a theatre. It is the union of husband and wife. Through their love for each other, they take the step to live their lives together to form a family. Therefore, one of the important aspects that spouses must take in marriage is responsibility. Marriage means responsibility.
We met divorced wives who said their marriage was failing because her husband was irresponsible. We asked them in what way were they irresponsible? One response is that the husband only delegates his responsibilities to his wife. For example, it allows the wife to work and take care of finances while he stays comfortably at home. Another said that the husband would run away from problems instead of facing them and finding solutions to them. Another person cannot take responsibility for childcare.
The opposite happens when the wife does not live up to her role as wife and mother.
Have you not heard parents telling their children, “You must be responsible in performing your duty,” meaning “your duty.” In a similar way, husbands and wives expect the other to be responsible as husband and father. When this does not happen, problems begin to occur between them. We’ll start hearing the words “How irresponsible you are!” “You should have done this or that!” Each one will begin to blame the other.
When there is love, one thinks only of the other and thus takes full responsibility for making his marriage work. Because of love, both husband and wife will then understand each other’s role and help each other to embody it. Marriage means responsibility.
Love does not delegate everything to the other, but there is reciprocity between the spouses. Rather, love extends one’s responsibility outward. lend a hand. Love makes one accountable to the other. Love makes them not only responsible spouses, but also responsible parents.
Let responsibility not be a chore but a joy because it is an expression of love. He has that sense of ownership where both spouses now feel, “I have a family to take care of.”
However, one cannot expect the other to be responsible if they are not. He must first set an example for the other. And in the same way towards their children to watch their children what their parents do.
If couples do not have a complete picture of marriage and their role as married couples, it is best that they get advice about this or get appropriate information. This is to avoid the reasons that could lead to separation.
Responsibility is the key to a successful marriage because it is the result of love. Marriage means responsibility. And one can feel the joy of being a fulfilling husband and father.