Sometimes young people, while searching for the person they want to marry, become excited when they find someone who shares their interests, opinions, and tastes. “We have so much in common!” they exclaim, and on this basis they anticipate an idyllic life together, free of disagreement or discord.
But it doesn’t take long for married life to teach the important lesson that no two people are—or even should be—exactly alike. Soon little differences come out of hiding. One spouse leaves the shampoo on the wrong side of the shower; one likes to talk a bit more than the other; and the thermostat never seems to find a temperature that both can agree on. Then other questions arise that are less trivial: Where should we live? What’s the best way to raise our children? How should we spend our money?
Wise couples know that while unity is important in a marriage, expecting to see eye to eye about everything is like trying to write a symphony using only one note. Beautiful music, like a beautiful marriage, makes use of a diversity of notes, tempos, and instruments. In some measures, all of the instruments play in unison, but in others each plays a different note to create sublime harmonies.
Differences enrich our lives and expand our vista. In the complicated issues of life, married couples are blessed by each other’s fresh perspective and life experiences. That’s why God has given each of us unique gifts and insights—so that in all of our relationships we can help and edify one another. When we resent or merely tolerate differences, we create dissonance; when we celebrate them, we create glorious music.
Program #4030