It Ain't Easy

This quote was on the girlTalk blog today and I just really like it.

"Marriage is a vocation. It is a task to which you are called. If it is a task, that means you work at it. It is not something which happens. You hear the call, you answer, you accept the task, you enter into it willingly and eagerly, you commit yourself to its disciplines and responsibilities and limitations and privileges and joys. You concentrate on it, giving yourself to it day after day in a lifelong Yes." ~Elisabeth Elliot

How contrary that is to the secular beliefs about marriage today. People believe marriage (and especially love) is "something which happens." They are staunchly opposed to any kind of discipline, responsibility, or limitation in marriage, and they certainly don't find any privileges or joys in being married. How sad that they are missing out on something so great. Something so completely wonderful. Granted, there are occassions when Nathan and I have both thought in moments of intense emotion that life would be easier if we were not bound to each other for life, for better or worse. And I guess in all actuality, that is true. Life IS easier when you are not constantly reminded of how selfish you can be at times and that what is expected of you day in and day out is to be completely unselfish. To consider others better than yourself. To truly love. And yet, that is the joy of marriage. To experience and show the world true love, love that is of God. Love that never quits. Is never self-seeking and always unconditional.