Lord, I complained silently, why can’t Dave be more romantic and thoughtful? But while I focused on the negative, God reminded me of the times Dave changed diapers when I was exhausted, fixed the kids lunch when I was sick, and went off to work every day, never complaining. Yet I felt dissatisfied because of Hollywood’s fictional (and unrealistic) portrait of a man.

No, life hadn’t turned out like I had planned. But instead of complaining about it, I realized that God wants me to be thankful for what I do have—a good husband, healthy kids, a full-time job, and a roof over my head. I repented for my ungratefulness and asked God to give me a more realistic perspective about life, marriage, and frail human beings.

“. . . and they lived happily ever after.” Isn’t that the fairy tale our parents read to us at bedtime? Hollywood has convinced us we should expect romance, flowers, and candlelight every night. We grow up with the notion that a man should be perfectly groomed at all times, know our every desire, and be ready, willing, and able to meet our needs. Unfortunately, that’s impossible, not to mention unfair, to expect perfection from another imperfect human being (just like us).

We serve a God who knows all our thoughts and desires, and He is working to conform us to the image of His Son. The process may be painful at times, but the results will be so worth it!