Sometimes, there are stretches in marriage when the course seems all uphill and many people throw in the towel. If we endure, there are blessings beyond all comparison.

A couple of years ago, I decided to run a marathon. My husband was training and it looked like fun. (Yeah, I know.) I bought the cute running shoes and matching shorts. I downloaded some great tunes to the iPod. I imagined how great I was going to look and feel as I was running. I began training in the fall and I would smile as I ran amid the colorful leaves and warm breeze.  Then, the weather began to change. It became cold and rainy. I pulled a muscle in my back and every step shot pain through my body. I would love to say that I pushed through and, eventually, crossed the finish line amid a crowd of cheering fans. But, alas, that never happened.

Marriage is much the same. We begin with these visions of how things will look. We plan the wedding. We buy the fancy clothes. We ride off into the sunset. Then, the sun rises again and there are personality conflicts and mortgages and does the toilet paper go over or under. Sometimes, there are stretches when the course seems all uphill and many people throw in the towel.  If we endure, however, there are blessings beyond all comparison.

Today, pray that your marriage would be one of endurance. Ask God to reveal to you the beauty of a relationship that has weathered the storms of life. Make it your goal to run in step with your spouse and cross the finish line together.