Nature is a constant teacher. So many of the natural things that occur in our lives and in our relationships are mirrored in the animal kingdom. I find that the symbiosis that occurs between species is a great analog for marriage.

Every family has their defined roles, each member taking on a share of the tasks required to keep the household running. But in times of stress or crisis, those roles can be up for grabs. This is an undersold and poorly remembered attribute of healthy marriages. Spouses are jointly responsible for all of the needs of the family and the household.

So much of our world and cultural narrative are predicated on defined and rigid roles. Said another way, our dysfunctional view of marriage, relationships, and responsibilities sets us up for stress, fights, and failure. The reality of marriage, and the sharing of responsibilities within the bounds of an insoluble relationship, is loving and sacrificial symbiosis.

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