I remember this story from my childhood—one that didn’t quite make sense then but hits differently now.
Back in Primary School, my dad had this colleague—let’s call him Mr. A.
Mr. A owned a Peugeot 504 GL...back then, that was a car to reckon with. Clean, solid, prestigious. But what stood out wasn’t just the car; it was how Mr. A treated it.
My dad used to tell us, “That man never jokes with his car. At the slightest sound, a rattle, even the tiniest flicker of an unfamiliar light on the dashboard, he’s off to his mechanic.”
Things that other drivers, my dad included, would wave off as irrelevant, Mr. A treated like a full-blown emergency. Where most people would shrug, “Let’s see if it fixes itself,” Mr. A responded, “Let’s fix it before it gets worse.”
And you know what?
Mr. A’s car rarely broke down.
It ran smooth, sounded great, and aged beautifully.
Funny thing—some of his friends bought newer models, but none of them enjoyed their cars the way Mr. A enjoyed his.
Marriage is That Car
Many of us enter marriage treating it like it’s supposed to run perfectly—forever—without regular checks, maintenance, or intentional care.
We wait until things completely fall apart—until the fights are unbearable, until the silence is louder than words, until hearts grow cold—before running around looking for an overhaul.
But the secret?
It’s in the little fixes—the small, consistent, intentional acts that keep the marriage engine running smoothly.
A simple “I’m sorry” before pride has room to fester.
Noticing when your spouse is quiet—and caring enough to ask why.
Paying attention to mood shifts, to body language, to the words not said.
Taking time off autopilot to say, “I see you. I value you.”
Adding oil - appreciation, kindness, service...where things are drying out.
And sometimes, just staying back at the mechanic’s (prayer closet), asking God, “Lord, show me what’s off. Help me fix it before it breaks.”
Because the truth is...no marriage breaks down overnight.
It’s usually negligence, pride, and delayed attention that kills it slowly.
Scriptural Check Engine Light
Proverbs 27:23 says, “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.”
Marriage is one of those God-given flocks. You don’t just tend it when it’s dying. You nurture it daily, give careful attention—not because it’s failing, but because it’s precious.
Hebrews 3:13 says, “But encourage one another daily… so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”
Daily—because distance creeps in silently.
Daily—because what you don’t tend, you lose.
The Commitment That Keeps You Going
Loving one's spouse well doesn't need to be dramatic always. Sometimes, it’s as simple as catching the little things...before they grow big enough to break BIG things.
It’s commitment. It’s daily maintenance. It’s protecting what you vowed to build.
And just like Mr. A’s car...your marriage doesn’t have to break down.
It can run smooth, beautiful, heaven-on-earth kind of love...if only you pay attention.
#BeBetter #LoveBetter #DoBetter #MarriageWorks
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