For the rest of your life

Well, hi there.
My children and I went to the local water park yesterday, and had a blast. This water slide extravaganza costs a fortune to visit, so we only go every couple of years, and that on discount days.
My personal favorite ride is this U-shaped deal. You are launched off of the summit in a boat thingy, and plummet to the valley, and up again the other side. It's quite a rush. There are G forces involved. Love that.

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I've been praying for the marriages of those around me lately. There is so much power in that sacred relationship to strengthen or weaken people. Those who feel loved, and are deeply committed to their spouse, have such a solid footing from which to meet the world. Those whose homes are dominated by strife, or insecurities, limp along with such a handicap. It's powerful stuff, I tell you.

I wonder if it would be right to view a marriage as a vital entity? As in, something living or dying; healthy or ill. Sometimes it seems that emergency attention could return a relationship to health, but the participants are unwilling to take the steps.
From where I stand, it looks like many couples live entirely independently of one another. I wonder if the marriage ought to receive diligent attention, almost like a third part of the union? There's Husband, Wife, and Marriage.
If the husband is content, the wife is lonely, and the marriage is a formality....then we're looking at a nightmare. But, how often does this happen? You could have a lonely husband, and a straying wife. Or two completely selfish people....whatever. There are any number of scenarios, to be sure.

I am very thankful for the life I have. Heck I'd way rather be alone, than be married and lonely. But, I am given to consideration of the sort of marriage I'd like, if I had the option. I hope that I, and my spouse, would be equally diligent to nurture the health and vitality of the marriage.
My heart breaks for those I love who live with daily heartache.

That's a downer of a post, huh?
It's just this ever-present force in the majority of people around me. It's sometimes great, and sometimes debilitating. Often, it's a straitjacket for those who want it to be better, but lack the compliance of their partner. It's heavy on my heart.