Time, Effort and Discipline

Why can't relationships be like dogs; not pit bulls, but Golden Retrievers or Labs? Relationships can be like a faithful and loving retriever or lab, but in reality a quality relationship takes time, effort and discipline. When I was teaching our dog, Cooper (yes, he is a chocolate lab) how to retrieve a ball, sit, lay, rollover, or heel it took time, effort, and discipline. (Discipline often refers to punishment, but for this blog discipline refers to time management, planning ahead, and simply doing it.) During this time we, Cooper and I, were building a friendship together. In the same way our relationship with one another takes time, effort and discipline. Are you taking time, effort, and discipline for your relationships? Or do you assume you are friends because you once hung out together? One cannot assume anything and if you have not taken time to hang out, or made the effort, or disciplined yourself then how could you continue a friendship? Cooper and I take time to go to the park or go on runs. Many of us make time, put effort and discipline ourselves for our desires, but we neglect loving one another as Christ loved us.

You may be thinking that you and your spouse are really friends, but before you get to confident take this quiz from the Gottman Institute.