Character Confession: The Algae Parable
I’ve had a pool most of my life. My dad spent hours testing, adding chemicals, and cleaning to reap the reward of his daughters and their friends splashing most of the water out and giggling summers away.
This year I realized what a science pool maintenance is. We went through a stretch where no matter how hard my husband tried to work on the pool, as soon as he finished, it rained. The rain messed up the levels and we had a problem.
Algae.
We tried everything, but the bluest he could get the pool was with a green tint, if that.
After weeks and more money than I care to think about, I threw the white flag.
“We have something a lot of people don’t have. The chemicals are perfect. The water is safe. This is refreshing. Let’s just stop the madness.”
My husband wasn’t ready to quit.
And it’s a good thing, because once a neighbor’s flowering bush stopped blossoming and falling in our pool, everything changed.
And we have crystal blue pool water.
My attitude reminded me of marriage, and sometimes, I admit, my own.
I’m tired. Things are okay. Good, even. But taking it to the next level?
Let’s just keep things here. Where it’s easier.
We used to work in marriage ministry. The illustration we learned was that if couples don’t work on their marriage, it’s the same as not maintaining your car. Sooner or later, you’re going to be on the side of the road, disabled.
Good enough isn’t an attitude anyone should take in their marriage, or with any relationship.
But I was willing to sacrifice greatness and settle for algae.
How about you?
photobucket image. Not our pool. 🙂
